The ridiculous election campaign!

On September 17th 2012 at approximately 18:15 (local time) the executive of the Nationalist party approved the candidature of 5 people for the forthcoming election; these include Simon Busuttil, David Casa and Claudette Pace. But what do these candidates really bring to the table?

Without a doubt Simon Busuttil achieved great results in his two campaigns to be elected into the European parliament. David Casa did reasonably well as well by getting elected twice as well, but why are they going to contest the Maltese general election now? Why the sudden interest in local politics?

Do you remember the fuss which the PN created when Joseph Muscat decided to leave his post in the European parliament to be more involved in local politics? Do you remember arguments like 'He wasn't happy with the EU's salary, he wants the local salary as well’? Not much fiasco is surrounding the 2 PN's members now is there? This leads me to ask, what are the real motives behind the approval of the candidature of Simon Busuttil, David Casa and Claudette Pace? 

In my opinion the main reason behind their candidature was the fact that they are well known around the island. This clearly shows how desperate the PN is! They are doing everything they can to win votes!

The approval of Claudette Pace for example is a showcase to my argument. She is a very well known personality around the country. She is a famous singer and a famous TV presenter... but does she really bring anything to local politics? Nothing! She was simply approached because the PN executive believes that she will appeal to people simply because she is a well known personality...

The same goes to Simon Busuttil and David Casa although it has to be said that at least they have something to offer to local politics! The same PN who is accusing the Labour party of being populist (with their proposals) is doing the same things (with the approval of candidates like these)

Putting the above issue aside for a while... In another desperate attempt by the PN to appeal to their constituents Dr Frank Portelli has joined the election campaign team. The same person who has been criticizing the PN during this legislature. This obviously brings about the question: Why did he join the election campaign team? 

Here is why! He was offered a deal to rent St Philip’s Hospital (his hospital) to government for 15 years at €1,000,000 a year (That is a total of 15 million from our taxes). Frank Portelli wants a down payment of €5,000,000 to start paying back the €12,000,000 he owes to his creditors. The cabinet members who are against the deal say that St Philip’s Hospital has no goodwill value as it has failed as a private hospital and owes €12,000,000 in fees to banks and consultants, in wages to employees and for materials and supplies. (Source: Maltastar) 

So why is the government willing to rent a 'failed' hospital? Are they renting it because they see potential in this hospital? Or simply because Dr Frank Portelli is one of the 'friends of friends’? 

Andrea Gatt