Divorce and Gaddafi’s downfall most positive events of 2011

The introduction of divorce emerges as the most positive thing which happened in 2011, closely followed by the downfall of the Gaddafi regime in neighbouring Libya, a MaltaToday survey reveals.

The survey was conducted among 300 respondents between 12 and 16 December.

But the survey also confirms the divisive legacy of the divorce referendum. While 26% consider the introduction of divorce to be the most positive event, 17% consider it to be the most negative thing which happened in 2011.

The survey shows that international events are leaving a mark on people's psyche to the extent that the downfall of Gaddafi was deemed to be the second most positive event, while the eurozone crisis emerged as the most negative thing to have happened this year.

This reflects the media prominence given to events in Libya and the collapse of the Greek economy, as well as major difficulties facing countries like Spain and Italy.

Malta's geographical closeness to Libya, its past relations with the Gaddafi regime and significant Maltese commercial interests in Libya increased the relevance of events in Libya for many Maltese. The survey results reflect popular sympathy for the Libyan revolution.

In an indication that the Maltese are becoming less insular and more aware of global realities, 34% considered the eurozone crisis as the most negative event of the year. In contrast, only 10% regard the performance of the Maltese economy as the most negative thing of the year. An equal number of respondents (10%) considered the performance of the Maltese economy as the most positive thing to have happened this year.

Local issues which left an impact on the public were the budget tax cuts for working parents and the public transport reform.

A fifth of respondents considered the budget tax cuts for working parents as the most positive thing which happened this year.

While 17% of respondents considered public transport reform as one of the blemishes of 2011, 5% considered it as the best thing to have happened throughout the year.

This could be an indication that although the reform is largely perceived to have had negative aspects, a chunk of the population has seen positive aspects in the reform.

One non-political event which seems to have created popular revulsion was the murder of the mixed-breed dog named Star. 13% chose to give more importance to this event than to political and economic events. This could reflect increased conscience on animal cruelty, as well as the media hype on this event.

The dog was rescued near Ghar Hasan after having been shot, bound and buried alive by officers of the Animal Welfare Department in May. Alfred Vella, a farmer from Birzebbuga, was sentenced to three months in prison and fined €10,000 after he admitted in court to having shot a dog and buried her alive in his field.

Austin Gatt's annus horribilis

Unsurprisingly, Austin Gatt emerges from the survey as the most controversial public figure of 2011. For Gatt 2011 was a veritable annus horribilis for the transport minister, whose name was associated with a transport reform that failed to meet the very high expectations it had generated. 

A previous survey by MaltaToday showed that Gatt's performance as Minister was only deemed positively by 10% of respondents. In a highly symbolic gesture Gatt was called a "fucking wanker" by university student Nicola Abela Garrett.

Gatt only managed to survive a no-confidence vote thanks to the speakers' casting vote after Nationalist backbencher Franco Debono abstained on a motion of censure presented by the opposition. Following the vote, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was forced to call a vote of confidence in his government, which he won.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister downsized Gatt by appointing a task force, led by himself, to coordinate the reform.

Debono himself emerges as the third most controversial public figure of 2011. After clashing with Austin Gatt, Debono lashed against Justice Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici with regards to reforms to the justice system.

But Debono still trailed maverick backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, whose private members bill triggered last May's divorce referendum. Pullicino Orlando was chosen as last year's most controversial public figure according to a similar survey by MaltaToday.

But despite their notoriety, both Austin Gatt and Pullicino Orlando will not be contesting the next general election.

Apart from the Prime Minister and leader of the opposition, the only two other public figures to be mentioned in the survey were Gozo bishop Mario Grech and TV presenters Peppi Azzopardi and Lou Bondi.