Hard work ahead for the government

Prime Minister Hani Mulki must already have a clear plan of action, judging from his decision to form a task force, consisting of the three deputy prime ministers to oversee the work ahead.

The prime minister has spelled out his government’s roadmap, saying that its efforts will concentrate on adding to achievements already made, “build on what has been accomplished”.

The statement “we are civil servants and we will do our utmost to meet the needs of the people” sounds just right. After all, it is the duty of the government to serve the people, and under the circumstances, it will have quite a lot on its plate.

Controlling prices should figure high on the agenda of the new government, especially that Ramadan is about to begin and the month is usually associated with a surge in prices of basic necessities.

Realistically, one acknowledges that the new government cannot meet every expectation, but at least, it should be the conductor that guides other actors willing to do their part — private and public sector, companies and individuals — to help improve the economy, in the first place, and deal with the many other problems — radicalisation of idle youth, an increasingly lacking education system, transportation in a country whose population almost doubled in record time, prices, nepotism, corruption, violation of laws — that seem to have found ample space in a once ideal community.

After a short “honeymoon”, the government has to know that its performance will be under scrutiny.

Wishes of success for now, and a word to remind the Cabinet that its work will have an impact on the entire country.

It is an immense responsibility and it should work hard to discharge itself of it honourably.