We're almost there - kuragg!

A few days to go, and then it's voting day. On Saturday, thousands of people from all over Gozo and Malta will be writing in their number 1 next to the third name from the top on the ballot sheet. It is going to be a unique and historic experience.

For the first time, the people of Malta and Gozo will be putting in their preference on the same ballot sheet. We will all be voting for one electoral district. For the first time in independent Malta we will be voting for a parliament made up of only two parties but for a multi-party European Parliament, made up of at least seven different political parties. For the first time in their history, the people of these islands will not be voting for any government or for any majority.

The consequences of such a unique election are evident. In the European Parliament the "winner takes all" attitude so typical of the Maltese Parliament is done away with. The reasons are very simple to understand. In the Maltese elections, every single vote counts. A couple of thousand votes can change the lifestyle of all of us. A 4,000-vote difference could bring about catastrophic changes in our daily lives.

During the past 35 years or so those 4,000 votes could mean a complete upheaval of our economic system, from state-controlled bulk-buying to a free market economy, or vice-versa. They could mean a total change in our foreign policy, from North Korean to "Swiss in the Med"/Partnership sympathies to European Union membership... or vice-versa!

This time it is all so different. This time, whatever the result, no majority or government is at stake. This time, for the first time in the history of independent Malta, electors are free to vote for the person they feel can contribute most to the general welfare of the whole population. In the European Parliament, we pass from our usual "winner takes all" attitude to a "give and take" one.

In the European Parliament, no one of the seven parties elected can, on its own, pass any law, directive or motion. The party with a relative majority has no absolute majority and is politically impotent, since the European Parliament is made up of 732 members and no single party on its own has a majority. Even the second biggest party is in the same situation. To obtain a working majority in the European Parliament the support of at least two other political groupings is essential and indeed decisive. In this context, the vote of the 50-strong Green group in the EP becomes essential.

The great majority of Maltese have come to understand all this. The vote of the Green group in the EP becomes a crucial one. And therefore, the presence of a Maltese in the Green group becomes doubly precious. It is easy to understand.

The European People's Party (EPP) will be made up of around 280 members. Whether the PN elects two or three MEPs to this group is irrelevant since these Maltese Nationalist MEPs will only be able to influence a maximum of 280 of their colleagues. Likewise, the Party of European Socialists (PES) will be made up of around 240 members. Whether the MLP elects two or three MEPs to this group is irrelevant since these Maltese Labour MEPs will only be able to influence a maximum of 240 of their colleagues.

On the other hand, the election of a Maltese Green to the Green Group in the European Parliament becomes a really crucial affair: one elected Maltese Green MEP can influence 50 colleagues on issues concerning Malta; the non-election of a Maltese Green will mean that 50 decisive votes in the Europan Parliament will simply not be roped in to Malta's cause!

The Maltese electorate has understood all this. And that is why thousands and thousands will be voting Green. But the Maltese also want to have the best people representing them. They really want to elect an MEP who is "kapaci, kredibbli u konsistenti" (capable, credible and consistent). On the background of my 27 years in public life and 15 years in political life, I have presented myself for this election in representation of Alternattiva Demokratika - the Green Party.

This election campaign has been characterised by a full-blooded frontal dirty attack against the Maltese Green Party candidate. All sorts of dirty tricks against the Green Party and myself have been resorted to during this campaign. But all to no avail! The people of Malta and Gozo are unwavering in their quest to elect those candidates who have a proven track record with regard to honesty, integrity and consistent work in the interests of their country and their people.

The day of reckoning is arriving. June 12 is nearly with us. On that day, thousands of Maltese are going to put their no. 1 next to the name of the Alternattiva Demokratika candidate, the third name on the ballot sheet. On that day, a new page is going to be written in Maltese political history.

Kuragg! Let us keep working hard these last few days. Let us not spare one ounce of our effort and energy. Let us remain humble as always, but let us be sure of ourselves and brimming with confidence. On Saturday, the Maltese are going to show the world (or at least Europe!) that when fear is not at stake, and when they can vote freely, they will vote with their heart for the best candidates.

This is a historic moment. We can all be part of it. On June 12 just let yourself be guided by what your heart tells you.

www.arnoldcassola.com