Abela’s Malta: Genuine Reformer or Cynical Hustler?

Picture this: A balmy evening in Valletta, the sun dipping below the Grand Master’s Palace, casting a golden glow over the capital. Robert Abela, Malta’s Prime Minister, is strolling along Republic Street, greeting locals with a smile and a wave. It’s a scene that could be straight out of a political campaign brochure. But is it genuine? Or is it just another carefully crafted image in the long-running drama that is Maltese politics?

Abela, a lawyer by profession and son of former President Eddie Fenech Adami, has been at the helm of Malta’s government since January 2020. He took over from Joseph Muscat, who resigned amidst a web of corruption scandals, including the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Abela promised a fresh start, a ‘new dawn’ for Malta. But as the sun sets on his first year in office, the question remains: is he a leader for the people, or just another political hustler?

Abela’s political rise was swift and strategic. He joined the Labour Party in 2013, just in time to ride the wave of victory that swept Joseph Muscat into power. He was elected to Parliament in 2017 and appointed as Minister of Justice in 2019. When Muscat resigned, Abela was ready, emerging as the party’s candidate for leadership with a carefully crafted image: young, tech-savvy, and above all, clean.

But critics argue that Abela’s rise was less about principle and more about opportunism. “He saw the writing on the wall,” says Dr. Maria Attard, a political scientist at the University of Malta. “Muscat was toxic, and Abela positioned himself as the antidote.”

Abela’s first year in office has been marked by a flurry of activity. He’s pushed through reforms, including changes to the public service and a new media law. He’s also made headlines with his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, earning praise for Malta’s vaccination drive. But not everyone is convinced.

“It’s all spin,” says Alex Dalli, a political activist and blogger. “Abela’s good at the optics, but where’s the substance? He’s made some changes, sure, but the same old guard is still in place. It’s just a new face on the same old machine.”

Abela’s government has also faced criticism for its handling of the Caruana Galizia murder case. While the masterminds behind the killing have been brought to justice, questions remain about who ordered the hit. Some believe that Abela, as Justice Minister, could have done more to push for a full investigation.

Abela, for his part, maintains that he’s delivering on his promises. “We’re working hard to build a better Malta,” he told Hot Malta in a recent interview. “It won’t happen overnight, but we’re making progress.”

As the sun sets on Abela’s first year in office, the question of his leadership remains open. Is he a genuine reformer, working to clean up Malta’s politics and build a better future? Or is he just another cynical hustler, using spin and image to mask a lack of substance?

. But one thing is certain: Malta is at a crossroads. The country that once prided itself on its stability and progress now finds itself grappling with corruption, inequality, and a pandemic. Abela’s Malta is a work in progress, a tale of two cities: one of promise and potential, the other of scandal and stagnation.

As Abela continues his evening strolls through Valletta, the question on many minds is this: which city will win out? The future of Malta hangs in the balance.