‘PL protects people one crisis after another’: Abela’s resilience mantra

Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela stood before the cameras at Castille, his official residence, on a warm Tuesday afternoon. Behind him, the iconic Auberge de Castille, a symbol of Malta’s rich history, cast a long shadow. He was not there to discuss the island’s past, but to talk about its present and future. The topic? Resilience, a word that has become synonymous with Abela’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Navigating the COVID-19 Storm

Abela, a man known for his calm demeanor, has had to don many hats since taking office in January 2020. Little did he know that just a few months into his term, he would be steering Malta through one of its most challenging periods. “We’ve been through a lot in the past year and a half,” he said, his voice steady yet laced with a sense of determination.

From the initial lockdown, which saw Malta’s usually bustling streets, like those in the heart of Valletta, empty and quiet, to the vaccination drive that has seen the island lead the way in Europe, Abela has been at the helm, guiding Malta through each phase of the pandemic. “We’ve protected our people, our economy, and our way of life,” he stated, summing up his government’s approach.

Protecting Malta’s Economy

Abela’s focus on resilience is not just about weathering the COVID-19 storm. It’s also about safeguarding Malta’s economic progress. The island nation, known for its strong financial sector and thriving tourism industry, has faced significant challenges due to the pandemic. But Abela is quick to point out that Malta’s economy has shown remarkable resilience.

“We’ve seen our economy bounce back stronger than ever,” he said, referring to the latest economic indicators that show Malta’s GDP growing at a faster pace than many of its European counterparts. He credits this to the government’s swift and decisive action, including the introduction of the Wage Supplement Scheme, which helped businesses keep their employees on the payroll during the lockdowns.

Abela also highlighted the government’s focus on diversifying the economy, pointing to sectors like blockchain and artificial intelligence as areas of growth. “We’re not just weathering this storm, we’re using it as an opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient economy,” he said.

: Resilience as a Way of Life

As Malta continues to navigate the pandemic, Abela is already . He envisions a future where resilience is not just a response to crises, but a way of life. “We’ve shown that we can protect our people, our economy, and our way of life, even in the face of the greatest challenges,” he said.

Abela’s words echoed through the halls of Castille, a reminder of the strength and determination that have defined Malta’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the sun began to set over the Auberge de Castille, casting a warm glow over the historic building, it was clear that Malta’s resilience is not just a response to a crisis, but a testament to its people’s spirit and their leaders’ commitment to protecting their island home.