True to form, Simon Busuttil, as expected, instead of showing satisfaction that for the first time in 35 years Malta’s economy has concluded 2016 in surplus, and perhaps adding that had he been prime minister he would have done even better (?!), used the words “populist gimmick”, “it’s all bluff”, “this is a set-up” etc. when commenting on this government’s exceptional achievement. European commissioners, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, the GRTU, the MHRA, the MEA, the Stock Exchange, unions etc. all expressed their satisfaction.

I have said this a number of times during the last four years. I’ll say it again.

Busuttil sees as another nail in his own political coffin the announcement of each big investment project or any announcement that proves the great strides forward being made in the various sectors, especially the economy, which is the most vital of them all since everything else relies on it.

So his ill-considered reaction is always the same – he must cast doubts, at times even ridicule, each and every announcement made.

All one has to do is remember Busuttil’s reaction on the Chinese investment in Enemalta. On the Individual Investment Programme. On the American University of Malta project. On the Vitals Healthcare project, thanks to which St Luke’s and Karen Grech hospitals will be turned into state-of-the-art medical institutions, besides the building of a new hospital in Gozo. The Crane Currency project too did not escape his criticism.

And, finally, db Group’s €300 million project on the ITS site, which landed Busuttil up to his neck in an enormous scandal and which is presently being investigated by three former judges.

This last NSO announcement about the surplus is the cherry on Busuttil’s cake.

Perhaps this is what led Busuttil to take a ‘selfie’ with Angela Merkel for consolation.