Comments on: Isn’t that amazing? The EU has fallen into line with Labour’s electoral manifesto. I mean…WOW.

By: Joe Formosa

Joe Formosa — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 21:35:57 +0000

Cypriot banks were exposed to Greece, so when Greece hit the dust, Cyprus followed.

Malta to a certain degree did not follow this trend due to the fact that banks here were not exposed to others elsewhere, so we were insulated against this domino effect factor.

My question is, with so many new banks opening in Malta, and optimism to increase this banking/finance sector, giving Malta another pillar in its economy, will this insular situation prevail, say 2 or 3 years from now?

We hope that the present goverment keeps all the checks in balance, with on the one hand opening up Malta to more banks, but also keeping a close eye on how things are done.

By: Gahan

Gahan — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:45:14 +0000

The Times reporter must be thick as two planks.

By: observer

observer — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 15:11:39 +0000

In reply to Mel. Did you expect him to be surprised that hardly anyone turned around to greet him on his way to his seat?

By: Noel Zahra

Noel Zahra — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:13:30 +0000

Here’s the deal on the Cyprus bailout – all bank accounts to take a 9.9-6.7 % haircut. Imagine you have money saved up to fund a startup idea, retirement or professional training and all of a sudden you wake up and find the government has eaten nearly 10% of your funds.

http://www.maximise.dk/the-madness-of-the-bailout-in-cyprus/

Thinking this will bring about a bank-run in Cyprus and possibly Greece and Spain next week, which will make matters worse for the euro.

By: MMuscat

MMuscat — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:50:18 +0000

In reply to P Shaw. Five years of stupidity - You are far too generous.

By: Imcekken

Imcekken — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:38:12 +0000

The guy from Burmarrad first “ħassu mċekken” with the result. On Dissett, he told us twice how this week he celebrated, created a fantastic cabinet (with the help of dear Marlene who boldly said that it was her choice, not Joseph’s to make her dear hubby minister of health), went to Brussels and how he honored us with his presence on the programme.

His humility is shrinking by the minute.

By: Mel

Mel — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:36:40 +0000

Why should one be surprised by the show of ‘balance’?

By: taxxu

taxxu — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:01:24 +0000

In reply to P Shaw.

There is…independent.com.mt….really good.

By: jae

jae — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 09:40:49 +0000

In spite of the defeat and its scale, Malta should remind itself of the fantastic legacy left behind by Dr. Gonzi and his team. Up to the elections, Malta has been doing fantastically well in spite of the turmoil elsewhere. Stephen Calleja’s described it well in today’s TMIS as follows:

“Lawrence Gonzi did not deserve such a hammering.

Dr Gonzi, who has since chosen to take the only dignified way out by announcing that he will not contest the race for the PN leadership, steered Malta during its most difficult financial period in recent history.

His acumen and foresight enabled Malta to stand on firm ground while other countries around us fell to their knees one by one. Only yesterday, Cyprus clinched a €10 billion bailout from eurozone members and the IMF. Malta did not end up in such a predicament, and this is only thanks to the way Dr Gonzi handled the situation.

It is a great pity that Lawrence Gonzi will go down in the history books as the leader who achieved victory with the smallest majority and fell to the largest defeat since Independence. Instead, he should be remembered for his steady leadership in a time of economic crisis, his statesmanship in tackling the effects of the civil war in Libya, his envious employment record, his continued drive for more investment in education and health and his steadfastness in dealing with issues such as that regarding Malta’s dues from the European Union, among many other things.”

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-03-17/opinions/a-decade-of-labour-1185316872/

PS. Apologies for the cut and past but these are words which we should all keep in mind.

By: il-Ginger

il-Ginger — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 08:38:49 +0000

They mean electoral pranks.