The tenacious former Sea Malta chairman Marlene Mizzi could be getting closer to a party candidacy. And she has vowed to choose a party that can bring ‘change’ and ‘alternation of power’ if she decides to throw in her hat.
It may be an unsurprising admission by the former chairman who resigned from the national shipping line when government steamrolled ahead with the privatisation of Sea Malta, amid a bitter feud between Mizzi and Investments Minister Austin Gatt.
But it is also the closest statement Mizzi has ever made with respect to choosing a political formation – undeniably an opposition party – if she would consider politics.
“Until today, my involvement in partisan politics has not been anything particular.
“I believe in democracy, and democracy depends on the people’s choice and the alternation of power. I believe this government has been there for 20 years and the length of tenure can bring about corruption, the arrogance of power, complacency in ideas and ideas that are not fresh. And I believe there should be change,” Mizzi said on PBS’s Reporter.
“So if I had to throw in my hat, it will be a party that can bring about change.”
Asked whether she was worried of being politically labelled – given her fallout with government – Mizzi showed little fear of having her political allegiance speculated upon. “Anyone can say what they like. They have their opinions, I have mine. As long as it isn’t a criminal label, they can say what they like.”
Leaving little room for speculation, Mizzi described herself as being an independent minded person and defended the role of company directors in State entities who should be allowed to manage public companies without political interference.
“Appointees by the government have to be independent minded and capable in their field. But if the shareholder is represented by the minister, the minister must understand that his is a political responsibility, while the commercial responsibility is that of the directors. Many people don’t understand this concept and they just want to butt in,” Mizzi said.