‘Like Trump’ Muscat says he will never be part of establishment

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has called for Europe to move closer to the United States, and not ignore its relationship with the country in the wake of the stunning turnaround by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, now president-elect.

“Donald Trump's victory should not shock anyone.  Even though the tone of the US campaign was regretful, it is crystal clear that families and business want decision-makers to hear their real, unfiltered concerns,” Muscat said from the USA, where he is holding meetings in New York.

“Priorities are decided in homes and workplaces, not in palaces or newsrooms,” he said, hinting at Trump’s frayed relationship with the media taken up by the controversial candidate’s demagoguery.

Muscat was eager to use the hard lesson Trump had inflicted upon the Democrat,  as a case-study for his own premiership.

“If anything, it keeps my resolve never to become part of the establishment, but rather work to change it from within… It also shows the imperative need of having a sound and sustainable economy, the fruits of which must reach all corners of society through good jobs and social policies,” Muscat – a believer in putting business and the economy first – said.

He said he hoped Trump, who has said he will expel Muslims from the USA and build a wall on the Mexican border, would conform to what the international community expected of him, assisted by “the system of a great country such as the United States”.

Muscat's comments were quickly latched on by Simon Busuttil, who lobbed back at him the accusation that he was part of a "corrupt" establishment.

Simon Busuttil letter of congratulations

In a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil extended his congratulations, and reminded Trump of the close and strong relationship between the USA and Malta.

"With the evolving situation in the Middle East, the ongoing migration crisis and the security threats we face around the world, it is crucial that Malta, as a member of the EU, and the United States, continue to strengthen their relationship over the course of your Presidency in order to address common global challenges together."