Sunday editorials: parliamentary speculation and minimum wage

Maltatoday's editorial highlights Malta's current state of political abnormality, whereby despite the lack of an election date, both parties' campaigns have begun in earnest. It argues that this is not symptomatic of political good health, and warns that it could prolong Malta's economic slowdown. It points to a tense and aggressive pre-Christmas election, brought on by rogue MP Franco Debono and his war against Minister and PN heavyweight Austin Gatt, and argues it would have dismal implications on the retail sector.

The Sunday Times dedicates its editorial to what it describes as 'the parliament time bomb' and briefly considers the context within which parliament will be reconvening tomorrow. It notes that government has a number of important votes ahead of it aside from the Budget, among which are a resolution on the ratification of the EU's fiscal pact, and bills which are at second reading stage such as the Embry Protection Bill, the Data Protection Bill (Amendment), the Protection of the Whistleblower Bill, and the presentation of its Cohabitation Bill. The Times however notes that Government is faced by a new potential obstacle: a motion of no confidence in Health Minister Joe Cassar, recently announce by rogue MP Franco Debono. Arguing that parliament should be a stable place for productive discussion and formulation of legislation, the editorial argues that the instability persisted for too long, and urges for 'sooner rather than later' elections.

The Independent on Sunday's editorial considers the political backdrop against which Parliament will be reconvening tomorrow after a summer recess fraught with speculation. It points out that the PN Administration has to work to secure the backing of not one but two MPs (JPO and Franco Debono). It suggests that the Government will buckle under the pressure, and hints that it might be actually looking for a scapegoat upon which to pin the end of its term. It also points out that the Autumn budget, which will require a vote on each and every ministry's budget, is a definite hurdle for an administration seeking to live out its full term.

It also hits out at Government over persistent shortcomings in its handling of illegal local hunting and trapping, and by allowing a culture of 'tolerance' towards hunters and trappers openly flaunting the law. It calls for government to overturn this culture through a serious crackdown on infractions of hunting laws.

The Illum's editorial also discusses the parliamentary and political instability, and points to PN Executive President Marthese Portelli's admissions that the country is living in a state of 'suspense'. The editorial argues that parliament has been reduced to a political tool for an administration that has outstayed its welcome, and calls on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to put an end to the economically-damaging speculation by calling for a vote of confidence in parliament.

Nationalist Party-owned weekly newspaper il-Mument upheld the Nationalist Party's current 'minimum wage freeze'  line of attack against the Labour Party, and implied that Labour Leader Joseph Muscat would not increase despite not saying so directly. The editorial reproduces several quotes uttered by Muscat during the Labour congress and other sources to shore up its point. It also accuses Muscat of 'firing' off ideas and proposals haphazardly with little care or concern.

Labour-owned weekly newspaper Kulhadd hit out at the 'minimum wage freeze' claims, and insisted that the closer the country gets to an election, the more lies start being circulated. The editorial drew comparisons between the PN's most recent claim, and past libellous statements PN Leader Eddie Fenech Adami uttered in former Labour leader Alfred Sant's regard during a televised discussion programme. The editorial also reiterates the Labour Party's stance on why increasing minimum wage would undermine competitiveness, attempts to dispel any notion of a 'wage freeze', and hits out at the PN Administration for 'hypocritically' attacking Labour while also consistently opposing a minimum wage increase in recent months.

The editorial published by union-owned it-Torca argues that socialist left-wing notions such as an increased minimum wage need to be tempered by the notion of social justice and the recognition of contemporary economic factors which might render such an increase counterproductive, despite being an inherently positive measure. The editorial makes reference to additional burdens on costs of living, wage scaling and competitiveness among such economic factors. It reiterates Labour's current stand against minimum wage increase, and dismisses the PN's attack as mere posturing intended to mislead workers and working class families.