Opinion: Robert Abela’s Ongoing Humiliation of Justyne Caruana

Opinion: Robert Abela’s Ongoing Humiliation of Justyne Caruana

In recent months, the political relationship between Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela and former Minister Justyne Caruana has become a spectacle marked by personal and political drama. Caruana, once a rising star in Abela’s Labour Party, has been publicly sidelined and humiliated in a series of events that underscore not just the fragility of political alliances, but the ruthless nature of intra-party power struggles. What has become increasingly evident is the ongoing political humiliation of Caruana at the hands of Abela, a calculated move that appears to serve both personal and strategic purposes for the Prime Minister.

Caruana, who once held the post of Minister for Education, was abruptly forced to resign in February 2020 following the infamous “masterclass” scandal involving her husband, a government official. The scandal, which centered on alleged corruption involving a government contract, led to Caruana’s resignation, and many saw it as a momentary setback for the otherwise popular politician. However, the subsequent treatment of Caruana by Abela raises serious questions about loyalty, power, and the manipulation of political image within the Labour Party.

While Abela was quick to distance himself from Caruana in the aftermath of the scandal, it is his ongoing treatment of her that has drawn the most attention. Despite her loyal service to the party, Caruana has been consistently marginalized, relegated to increasingly less significant roles. At a time when many expected Abela to offer a degree of rehabilitation or at least a chance at redemption for Caruana, he has instead continued to publicly distance himself, even undermining her reputation in the process.

This treatment seems not just punitive, but deeply personal. The message sent is clear: Abela is sending a signal to the entire Labour Party that loyalty to the leader is paramount, and any deviation from that will result in swift and public humiliation. Caruana’s ongoing exclusion from meaningful roles within the government and her continued isolation in the public eye can be interpreted as a calculated effort to stifle any potential comeback and solidify Abela’s grip on power.

What is striking is the contrast in how Abela has dealt with other figures who have faced controversies. Many prominent figures within the Labour Party, even those with serious allegations against them, have seen their political careers remain intact or even thrive under Abela’s leadership. Caruana’s fall from grace, however, has been especially pronounced. It suggests that the Prime Minister views her not just as a political liability but as a personal threat, someone whose ambitions and visibility within the party need to be curtailed—perhaps for fear of competition or disloyalty.

At the heart of this saga lies a deeper issue about the internal dynamics of the Labour Party and the nature of Maltese politics. The public humiliation of Caruana is not only a statement about personal vendettas but also a larger commentary on the ruthlessness of political survival in a small, tightly-knit political system. Abela’s strategy—if it can be called that—is one of total control. His handling of Caruana is a warning to anyone within his party who might seek to challenge his authority or carve out a future of their own in the political landscape.

Ultimately, the treatment of Justyne Caruana highlights the darker side of contemporary Maltese politics, where loyalty to the leader often outweighs competence, integrity, or the needs of the electorate. While Abela may feel that his actions are justified in protecting his political turf, they have come at the expense of a once-promising political figure and a symbol of the unchecked power dynamics that continue to shape the country’s political future.