While police officers served as waiters, Michelle Muscat – without her husband – greeted the guests
She greeted the guests while policemen dressed as waiters served the food and drinks.
I forgot to spell out, in my earlier post about the subject, that Manuel Mallia is the minister responsible for both broadcasting and the police, hence the order to the police to provide the catering and waiter service at a banquet for delegates of the European Broadcasting Union conference.
But there’s more. Eyewitness reports tell of guests being greeted by Manuel Mallia, the appropriate representative of government, TOGETHER WITH THE PRIME MINISTER’S WIFE.
The prime minister was in Brussels last night.
They just don’t get it, do they. And they won’t be having any of it even if it is r-e-a-l-l-y carefully explained to them. The prime minister represents the government of Malta. His wife has not constitutional role and, in his absence, cannot represent the government of Malta in his stead. She can represent her husband in his personal capacity in an informal context – for example, when declaring one of Peter Apap Bologna’s art exhibitions open.
But Mrs Muscat CANNOT and MAY NOT represent the government of Malta.
In the absence of the prime minister yesterday, the proper person to represent the government was Manuel Mallia, either alone or accompanied by his own wife – and then Mrs Mallia should have been there only if the other guests were also accompanied.
It is quite obvious what is happening here: their attitude to the situation is that of a medieval court, and not a 21st-century democratic state. The Muscats and their children are the new royal family, Mrs Muscat is the ruler’s wife, making her a regent herself, and everybody else has to do their bidding without democratic safeguards and no questions asked by an increasingly cowed press.
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As far as I know when the PM is away the deputy prime minister takes over. As his name suggests. Definitely not his partner.
[Daphne – Please. Please. Wives are not PARTNERS. The whole point of all that screaming about divorce is that partners wanted the status of marriage. Michelle Muscat is not the prime minister’s partner. She is his WIFE. And yes, in most circumstances you would be correct, but in this situation the proper person would be the actual minister responsible for broadcasting.]
Peron syndrome getting worse and worse
How cute hux, making a 5-year stint in government a femili affair.
I like it – brings out the real Maltese culture in just two people.
[Daphne – Yes, taxxu, and that’s precisely why they shot to power, on the strength of the massed vote of the real Maltese culture.]
Were the twins there as well?
Don’t tell me they were seen on the Verdala Palace steps doing their homework with a police/child carer while eating finger food served by police/waiters!
And some people think the title of ‘Emperor’ was just a playful quip by disgruntled Nationalists. Turns out Joseph himself has taken a liking to the title.
Labour took offence at Valerie’s letter to Il-Mument, demanding a right of reply on Net News yesterday.
So she’s not a Labour councillor they insisted.
Neither does she choose which of the residents to talk to when visiting an old people’s home.
Well, to me it seems that the press is not just cowed, but utterly ignorant about proper protocol in such things as well. So, most probably they are to read this blog to learn the exact code of behaviour.
I suppose Joseph Muscat is imitating Nicolai Ceaucescu who always pushed his wife Elena into representing the state.
I suspect that all these attacks on Mrs Muscat from your blog are pure ‘ghira’. What you’d give to share a bed with our Primeminister!! I think its you who has a crush on Joseph, and so you take it out on the woman who is next to him instead of you.
[Daphne – Claude, a woman of my age, who has not led a sheltered life, is able to see quite clearly that the prime minister has no particular wish to share a bed with any woman at all. I will not go into the specifics as one cannot do so without descending into matters which would offend. Nor does it follow that this means he wishes to share a bed with a man. Human sexuality is extremely complicated.
Here’s some more information: men who lack most of the signifiers for masculinity (male pattern baldness doesn’t count as it is over-ridden by the other factors) are attractive only to teenage girls (but then they’ve got to be within their age group, like boy-bands) and a certain type of gay man, though only a certain type. As for my own personal preferences, I don’t wish to sound impolite, but the truth is that – apart from the foregoing explanation, which should be enough – the prime minister manifests all the qualities which repulse me even at a platonic level.
This has been the case from when I first knew him as a Super One reporter. And that is aside from the fact that he is nine years my junior and I am not Consuelo Herrera. Nine years my senior is more my thing.
You clearly fail to understand the role of this form of satirical criticism in a contemporary democracy. That you favour the Labour Party does not surprise me in the least. Your world does not extend beyond the flea circus we call home.]
Michelle is sure a pushy person. She butts in even everywhere thinking she can substitute her husband at state events. Once again I ask what is her role at Castille and if she is on the payroll, what is her salary, or is she just keeping an eye on her hubby ?
So as Manwel Mallia is responsible both for the police and the broadcasting, what cost-cutting measures will we have next? Police as newscasters? Newscasters chasing thieves?
He’s also minister for the army. Just think of all the potential there.
Perhaps, the Muscats take it for granted that the Constitution will be changed and the PM will become a president with excessive executive powers without any checks and balances.
At that point Michelle will become officially the first lady with her staff and office. She is currently preparing for that role.
Hi All,
Looks like protocol has not been strictly adhered too. SO WHAT?? Were the guests dishonoured by her presence ? Were the guests in disbelief at such a gross lack of protocol ? We should be discussing how came the PM put so much importance in the reception as to send his wife to meet and greet instead of him, since he is out of the country.
As for the Police \ Waiters \ food preparation, I take it that Police catering is not like the feast gabana in a village feast. I think better standards are adhered too. Like I said in the beginning, I am sure the guests went away satisfied. And that is the crux of the matter.
Tks.
Charles
Charles
Well Mr Charles Cachia, the way you write English is enough to make us realise that you were brought up with the mentality that ethics and protocol are not important. How wrong you are.
Adherence to both is what makes a decent human being and that’s just for starters.
Failing to see the significance of this matter and thinking that the important thing is whether “the guests went away happy” is another indication of your culture.