2009

For my first blog in the year 2010 I have decided to review briefly some of the key moments in 2009 which struck me.

Change you can believe in

January 2009 saw Barack Hussein Obama take the oath of office of President of the United States of America. The Illinois Democrat Senator had taken US politics by storm; beating along the way the highly capable and experienced Hillary Clinton and the even more experience Republic Arizona Senator John McCain. Obama got himself elected on the call of "Change you can believe in". He promised America new hope and a new start. Yet a year into Obama's presidency or perhaps one can say 25% into his presidential term in office what has Barack Obama achieved? Are US Troops out of Iraq? Are they out of Afghanistan? Is the US a safer country or does it still get the odd Mutallab from Nigeria attempting to bomb an AA flight over Detroit? Has the US been a crucial partner in achieving global success in Copenhagen? Has the US economy picked up or has it continued to plunge in complete economic recession? A year into Obama's Presidency and in reality very little change has been fortcoming; this from the man who build his very foundations on the word change!

Partit Laburista wins MEP Elections 2009

In 2009 the Labour Party trounced the Nationalist Party in the MEP elections held in June. Labour won to the tune of a majority of 36,000 votes and with 3 MEP's and another one on hold as opposed to PN's two MEP's. Labour's campaign sadly focused on local isues and turned what should have been a European election into very much a protest vote. The MEP election should be an election where we vote as Europeans; were we vote for the good of our country in the context of the European Union. Labour preferred however to speak about the price of electricy and fuel rather then focus on anything European. Even the celebrations held infront of the Centru Nazzjonali Laburista demonstrate this with hardly any EU flags being waved in a celebration meant to celebrate an EU wide vote. Nevertheless it would be wrong to disregard the scale of Labour's majority here and surely a message must be heard and given notice to.

Call me President George!

This year saw George Abela succeed Eddie Fenech Adami as President of the Republic of Malta. In so doing George Abela became the first President elected by one political party to be president despite hailing from the other political party. He also became the first President to have achieved consensus in parliament. President Abela has clearly shown that he is indeed a great leader. His Presidency has been active and effective and he has been quick to built on past successes and correct past failings. It also goes to show the true level of good judgment of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi for having come up with the idea of making the former PL Deputy Leader and former PL Leadership candidate the President of Malta. A truly momentous Presidency is in our miths.

Eddie Fenech Adami
2009 saw what one of Malta's greatest ever statesman and politicians retire. Eddie Fenech Adami concluded his final Public Office when his Presidency drew to a close. Fenech Adami shall forever be remember and cherished as a man who served his nation in every way possible. It is thanks to the vision of Eddie Fenech Adami that Malta became a modern European nation, with a modern economy and a modern infrastructure. It is thanks to the vision of Eddie Fenech Adami that we are a democratic nation, a free nation and a nation who is a member of the European Union. Eddie Fenech Adami dedicated the best part of his life towards the country and it would be wrong not to remain eternally grateful to the man who made it all possible. Thus 2009 shall forever carry a footnote reading "Grazzi Eddie".

SDM Wins KSU Elections

2009 also the Christian Democrat students known locally as Studenti Demokristjani Maltin (SDM) win the KSU (University Students Council) election; retaining all the seats in KSU despite facing a stiff challenge from ACT, a coalition of 14 organizations including Social Democrat students locally known as Pulse. SDM's victory in the KSU Elections was a vote of confidence in the work carried out by previous SDM candidates. It was above all a message of trust by the students in SDM.

The rise of BNP

2009 saw the rise of the British National Party (BNP) in the United Kingdom. BNP had already existed in the past and has long militated to achieve national success in the United Kingdom. Results finally smiled for the BNP in the MEP elections of 2009 in which the far right across the entire European Union made a good showing. Yet BNP's success is perhaps most remarkable in that it elected not one but two MEP's and in that its views are often regarded as being the most outspokenly right wing in European politics.

To be honest, personally I do not agree with the BNP and its policies. I think BNP's politics is both unworkable and wrong in principle. BNP in my view is by far too extreme and too short sighted. Having said this I completly disagree with trying to muffle BNP's voice. The people of the United Kingdom democratically elected BNP's candidates thus BNP has ever right to make its voice heard. It should be up to the people to decide whether BNP is indeed political nonesense or not!

Farewell Michael!
2009 saw the untimely death of Pop Music legend Michael Jackson. Jackson shall forever be remembered as the King of Pop and shall remain one amongst the greats of modern day music. Songs such as "Earth Song" "Black and White" "Thriller" and "Billy Jean" shall forever be remember as songs for which we should remain thankful to Michael Jackson and his genius. On a personal level Michael faced several challenges which undoubtedly left their mark on Michael. After all its not easy to spend an entire lifetime in global fame. Farewell Michael...your name and your music live on!


Inter Campioni D'Italia
If any more proof was needed that Italian football is currently going through a stale phase it was this year's Serie A season which saw Inter yet again being crowned as Champions. The league saw little excitment and it was pretty much Inter's to lose from November onwards. If Italian football continues to head in this direction then indeed the future of Italian football looks bleak as compared to the exciting leagues one can find in Spain and England.

National Youth Parliament and KNZ

Organizing the National Youth Parliament was indeed a unique experience. Meeting so many new people, coming across new challenges is something that has given me much satisfaction. The experience is set to repeat itself yet again with the March edition of the National Youth Parliament!