English Articles

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 International Monetary Fund’s mission to Malta, Prof. Scicluna said the IMF has given very sound advice that ... [+]

“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 ... [+]

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 ... [+]

‘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 ... [+]

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 ... [+]

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 ... [+]

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 ... [+]

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 ... [+]

Spirit of solidarity cast in stone

As we know, on December 16 the leaders of the 27 EU member states, including Malta’s, agreed a draft proposal that will, hopefully, give the basis for a permanent financial stability mechanism to replace the temporary one set up to assist first Greece and then Ireland. We are also aware ... [+]

Lessons from the Greek crisis

I have just formed part of a Socialist group delegation to Athens to see the scale of the social and financial crisis in Greece. With the financial markets predicting a possible Greek default even though the government has reluctantly agreed to an IMF advised €50 billion sale of government assets ... [+]