I am not a politician but the obstinacy of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat set me thinking. Is he following in the footsteps of his predecessor? Has he selected a leaf from the diaries of Dom Mintoff?

His predecessor had made deals with China and with Libya, two trump cards to be used if needed. Besides, Mintoff had held to ransom much stronger opposition when he did not have his way.

Well, Europe did not listen to the pleadings of Muscat when he asked for burden sharing in the immigration question. The countries had a free choice and most opted not to help. Did they follow European values? Did Europe have any jurisdiction over their choice?

Is Muscat resorting to obstinacy in a power game that was a ploy of his predecessor?

He believes he is playing the game as others had done. They were not sanctioned. Moreover, many countries were admitted into Europe and millions of their citizens gained the supreme status. Muscat had ameliorated the original stance, making acceptance more difficult and selective. On the other hand, it is true that the Individual Investor Programme sounds mercenary.

Perhaps giving in to a waiting game of a couple of years will eliminate any opposition and any other force of destruction.