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Systemic failure, no doubt
The research study by Caritas Malta focusing on three categories of low-income households has managed to shock the authorities, the social partners and the Maltese society at large. It is now established that poverty is truly among us. It is no longer a matter of conjecture. Eurostat had been saying the same for the last…
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Transparency versus corruption
It is one of the terrible ironies that some of the world’s poorest countries are the most resource rich. Some even talk of the “resource curse”. Africa, in particular, has many resource-rich countries that have stayed poor because of the collaboration between extractive companies and corrupt government officials. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is…
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IMF’s advice needs to be taken very seriously
The International Monetary Fund has given Malta some very sound advice that needs to be taken seriously in Malta in what he has termed an uphill climb, Labour MEP Edward Scicluna tells Francesca Vella. He also asks why Malta did not achieve a budget surplus in 2010 Talking about the concluding statement of the…
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“The solution is good governance” – Edward Scicluna
As we sit in his office in Naxxar, Edward Scicluna, an economist, academic and politician, says: “In 1996, Labour had an opportunity to show that it could be a modern, business friendly and middle of the road party. However the party missed this opportunity because of historical reasons.” However, Scicluna believes a new Labour government…
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Malta’s own austerity programme
The Minister of Finance had been warned. The European Commission has now got teeth. They were given to it by the European Parliament in the economic governance package. And Olli Rehn, the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, has said from day one that he meant to use them. The media cannot be blamed…
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‘We could manage the economy better’
As the euro crisis heightens, economist and MEP Edward Scicluna speaks to Christian Peregin about the need for unity, Labour’s plans for the future and the prospects of being the next Finance Minister. Last week you announced your intention to contest the general election on the Labour ticket. Are you the…
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Level playing field in social policy
It is becoming increasingly evident that the government’s economic and social policies are not being well studied and thought out. We only hear Cabinet members at best parroting what they hear in the EU Council (of Ministers) meetings or else come out with important decisions “on the fly”. The last issue to catch my attention…
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Mind the quality even in scoreboards
Unlike many other EU countries, Maltese MEPs are elected directly by the people, with each candidate getting so many votes to his/her name. They are accountable to their constituents and their country at large. It is their responsibility, therefore, to keep the people abreast of developments in the European Parliament and the other related EU…
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An opportunity Europe has missed
The six reports in the EU Economic Governance package have finally been adopted by the European Parliament, albeit narrowly and with the political groups divided and disappointed. It is a package which has been difficult to explain by those involved in shaping it and is doubtless more difficult for the people outside to understand. These…
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Does the EU punch its weight?
Among its various mottos, the EU has a telling one: Unity In Diversity. Unfortunately, when it comes to speaking with the world outside the 27 member states, the countries of the EU tend to speak with a number of different voices rather than a single one. Even though it would be silly to say all…