Unfortunately, a core group of bureaucrats at the European Commission remain wedded to the myth of fiscal austerity. One hopes that, in the discussions on the EU’s new fiscal rules, this approach will lose out to a more flexible and progressive one. After having gone through the increase in expenditure implied by the draft budgetary plans submitted by the European Union’s Member States in early October, the European Commission issued letters to a number of countries to inform them that they were not conforming to...

The only way the EU can secure its place as a geopolitical interlocutor is to understand when and how to cooperate with China, even if it requires swallowing its pride. As the 7-8 December EU-China Summut approaches, all eyes will be on whether China will roll out the red carpet for the presidents of two of the European Union’s main institutions, or whether their welcome to Beijing will be a more subdued one. Should it turn out to be...

In being populist about the population issue, Bernard Grech once again misses the wood for the trees. In his parliamentary speech during the discussing of the estimates of the Office of the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech focused on negative anecdotes in a bid to create a sense of panic and fear vis-à-vis foreign workers. This speech came after a...

Sometimes I wonder whether it wouldn’t be better if a leader came along who said “I don’t know” when asked what he would do if inflation were to go through the roof. I would be sorely tempted to give him my first preference. The Greek philosopher Socrates once said, “Knowing what you don’t know is the beginning of wisdom” and, as my philosophy teacher used to tell me time-and-time again, if anyone knows, Socrates does. Being ‘caught out’ not knowing something bugs most...

In the heart of the Dominican Republic, amidst the turbulent era of Trujillo's dictatorship, emerged three extraordinary women who would forever etch their names in the annals of history. Today, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we remember them. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on the 25th November stands as a poignant reminder of the persistent challenges women face worldwide. In commemorating this day, we delve into the extraordinary lives of the Mirabal Sisters – Patria,...

The Opposition Leader's numerical shortcomings have once again been laid bare, this time in the context of Education. Last Sunday Opposition Leader Bernard Grech decided to try to wade into education policy, to showcase his “vision of excellence” for the education system in our country. It may not surprise you that he failed to utter one example of his education policies. The same as...

The continued Nationalist gripe that no new economic sectors are being created demonstrates how cut off they remain from the fast-evolving business community of Malta. It also suggests that they remain wedded to an outdated Gaullist/Soviet notion of industrial policy. The Nationalist Party and its media allies have consistently pushed the narrative that the Labour government is bereft of a coherent economic strategy. In truth, this has been the Nationalists’ most consistent media strategy, as it has been in place even before Labour...

Quite often, we are challenged to question who makes the best decision: the sleepers, the thinkers, or the blinkers? The answer might come as a surprise. Many of our readers will probably remember that when, at secondary school, we started writing small essays, the teacher would tell us that if we were going to discuss a proposal, we should divide a sheet of paper into two columns, writing over the one Pro and over the...

Ensuring the preservation of free speech is essential, yet we must not condone the fabrication and dissemination of falsehoods aimed at harming individuals, institutions, and causes. In a village, there was a young shepherd boy tasked with watching over a flock of sheep. One day, the boy decided to play a prank on the villagers. He climbed to the top of a hill and shouted, “Wolf! Wolf! The wolf is attacking the sheep!” You probably...

60 years to the day after US President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, it is opportune to remember his unwavering commitment to serve the underserved, including persons with disabilities. As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of John F Kennedy’s tragic assassination today, it’s essential to remember not only the charismatic leader he was but also his profound impact on the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. JFK’s family,...

The reason why the debt burden has, since 2019, increased in nearly all EU countries is that, first because of Covid and then because of the energy crisis, governments had to sustain businesses and households in an unprecedented fashion. Before the 2013 general election, the Nationalist Party argued that, if Labour were voted into power, the country would end up requiring a financial bailout from the European Union. This was quite a strong claim, given that the Nationalist administration held the...

Rosalynn Carter’s passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy as a mental health advocate and influential figure in American politics will endure. As the world mourns the passing of Rosalynn Carter, it’s essential to reflect on her remarkable legacy as a mental health activist and her pivotal role in shaping mental health policies. Mrs Carter’s influence extended far beyond the traditional role of a First Lady,...