Political cronyism and the arts

The Prime Minister’s appointment of veteran Gozitan politician Anton Refalo, who failed to make it to the Cabinet after the last election, to the chairmanship of Heritage Malta illustrates the very worst of the country’s crony political system. It also shows how little has changed despite promises on transparency in public appointments.

This appointment shows how little regard the political establishment has for the country’s cultural institutions. The new Heritage Malta chairman may be an aficionado of art collections but he is hardly experienced in the broader field of our multifaceted national heritage.

Many understandably argue that the government has failed to justify this appointment and merely used its power for political expediency as its support in Gozo, according to a MaltaToday survey, may be waning.

Heritage Malta has never had a politician at its helm. The qualities one expects for a person to occupy such a relevant post is one of in-depth cultural knowledge and experience as well as an ability to manage a small team of employees committed to safeguarding the islands’ vast cultural heritage.

This administration has promised to make Malta the best in Europe,...