Busuttil: from sidekick to leader

Had Simon Busuttil not contested for the post of deputy leader in December 2013, he would have been an obvious choice in any post-election leadership contest.

He would have been in a similar position as Joseph Muscat in 2008: a successful former MEP, someone supported by the party's establishment but with the same aura of novelty, coming from Europe to the rescue of a damaged party. 

For despite his shortcomings, Busuttil does project himself as being made of leadership stuff. But the electorate has already had a taste of Simon Busuttil as the new face of the PN in last general elections. In fact one of the PN's billboards depicted Gonzi and Busuttil as the two faces of the PN. 

One may say that Busuttil already came to his party's rescue and failed in his mission. 

Not only did Busuttil fail in closing the gap with Labour but his "wicc ta' nazzjonalist" gaffe ('Nationalist face') may well have contributed to the defeat. 

Probably these gaffes were themselves a reflection of the deep sense of frustration the aspirant leader felt week after week, as Labour retained its 12-point lead in the polls.  Busuttil had certainly taken a courageous gamble by contesting as deputy leader in 2012, but his failure should have kept him from contesting for the post of leader.

It would have been a cruel destiny for a politician who for a long time seemed destined to lead his party one day. But in politics it is results that count. Still, Busuttil did not feel this way. It probably made no sense to him abandoning Brussels only to become an ordinary MP in the Maltese parliament. 

After standing to be counted for his party, acting as Gonzi's sidekick in an impossible election, he must have felt that he deserved the leadership. Probably he also believes he has not shown his true self in the last general election and that he deserves a real chance in the role of leader, not sidekick. 

But the electorate and most probably most of those who switched from the PN to Labour have something else in mind. They will not easily forget Busuttil's performance and his prominent role in an election that represented the lowest ebb in the PN's history.

Probably many will interpret Busuttil's election as leader as a confirmation that the party will not listen to the message sent to the electorate.

And over the past weeks, the reluctant Mario de Marco managed to appeal to former PN voters who saw in him a successful former minister who could start with a clean slate, as he was not seen to be part of the party's establishment.

The only silver lining in all this is that Busuttil now has even more pressure upon him prove himself as an agent of change. He urgently needs to exorcise memories of the recent past. And the only way he can do this is through concrete actions. 

In some ways necessity dictates that Busuttil must be even more radical in bringing about change, simply because he still needs to convince voters that he is not simply Gonzi's anointed one.

His major advantage is that he is well versed in policy-making and his experience as an MEP equips him with the negotiating skills required in channelling different ideas towards a common position.

But his first move would be crucial. Having another perceived "establishment" figure elected as deputy leader would be a severe blow to the party's chances in 2018. Back in 1977 Eddie Fenech Adami had the foresight of convincing a proud rival Guido de Marco to accept the number two position. At the end of the day, despite the clear differences between the two, the formula worked well especially in the long and difficult years in Opposition. But the question remains whether de Marco will be willing to serve as Simon's sidekick. At this point it is Simon Busuttil who needs de Marco most and not vice-versa.