POLITICAL LEADERS
Joseph Muscat by Martin Vella
Dr Joseph Muscat was elected Prime Minister of Malta on 11th March 2013. Muscat has been leader of the Labour Party since 6 June 2008, and he was Leader of the Opposition from 1 October 2008 to 10 March 2013. Previously he was a Member of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2008. Here we present an executive summary of Dr Muscat’s past and present, as well as a look at his meteoric rise to power. Dr Muscat has one big thing going for him: voters seem to like him personally, and many remain loyal to him even if frustrated by the decisions following the hangover from the unprecedented electoral victory. His campaign proved to have enticed many of the ‘lost sheep’ from the labour supporters back to the polls, while also persuading undecided voters that Mr Gonzi was not the man they wanted to lead the country. The question we ask today is not whether our government is working, rather that it helps families find jobs with good conditions, provide care they can afford, and a retirement that is dignified. From our direct and personal contact with the Prime Minister we have noticed the hallmarks that Dr Muscat evidently portrays as he intends to move forward, showing wisdom, charisma and knowledge of local, commercial, and international matters. Dr Muscat has promised those of us who manage the public’s money will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can vital trust between a people and their government be restored. Dr Muscat is an independent-minded leader with an even-keel temperament, charismatic speaking skills and a knack for consensusbuilding. He’s also a talented, introspective observer and his values are strongly shaped by his expertise as a marketing intelligence specialist and by his Christian upbringing. While private by nature, Dr Muscat mingles easily with others, but is most comfortable addressing large crowds. He is known for being unafraid to speak and hear hard truths when necessary. Although armed with shrewd political sensibilities, Muscat
has attempted to underline decisions taken so far saying that “the government was determined to win the people’s confidence every day of the legislature”. Perhaps in the rush to get things done, or since the 36,000-plus majority might have gone to Dr Muscat’s head, or a mixture of both, a number of decisions have been perplexing to say the least and at times Dr Muscat has come across as slow to address threats or hostile elements. The latest example comes in the form of exPN stalwart and former EU Commissioner John Dalli, who’s appointment follows the government’s resolve to carry out wholesome reforms. “If nothing is done, the system will collapse,” Muscat said. However, this move can be interpreted in two ways and sheds light on Muscat’s way of doing things. Firstly, Muscat said it was health minister Godfrey Farrugia himself who suggested that Dalli should be invited to help the government in the health sector, since the former PN minister was the last health minister to lay out a clear roadmap in the health sector. This can be interpreted as a self-admission by the Health Minister that he is not up to the job and shows that the Prime Minister is not satisfied with the Health Minister’s performance, implying a vote of no confidence. Secondly, this may single that the present administration lacks qualified and experienced personnel to tackle key immediate priorities such as in this case healthcare. Opinions of the first 100 days of Joseph Muscat’s government will have no bearing on the futureand what will matter is the public’s communal judgement of his administration’s in five year’s time.
BACKGROUND Prime Minister Muscat was born in Pietà on 22 January 1974. He received his formal education at the Government Primary School in St. Paul’s Bay, Stella Maris and St. Aloysius’ College. He graduated with Honours from the University of Malta in Public Policy and later as Master of European Studies. In 2007 he attained a Doctorate of Philosophy in Management Research from the University of Bristol (UK). From 1992-1997 he was a journalist and eventually Assistant Head of news with a national private radio station. He was elected member to the National Executive of the Partit Laburista at the age of 21 and later nominated as Education Secretary of the Party. From 1997 to 1998 he was a member of the National Commission for Fiscal Morality. Dr. Muscat was also a market intelligence manager and investment adviser. He successfully contested the first European Parliamentary elections in Malta in 2004. In 2006 he was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Person of the Year. In 2008 he was elected as the Leader of the Partit Laburista. Dr Muscat is married to Michelle, née Tanti, and they have twin daughters, Etoile Ella and Soleil Sophie. 8|
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