In the recent past, general elections were mostly about choosing between two diametrically opposed positions, culminating in the 2003 EU membership vote. This time around there is no major divergence between any of the parties on issues and policies. Rather, the political debate is stale and bland. This, in fact, is the major concern the country is facing.
This is our first opportunity in years to bring about a radical change. It's either more of the same or it's a new way of doing politics which will bring about a sweeping change. We should stop voting against something or someone and start voting for something. The idea that voting for one particular party is going to "harm" another party is in itself a wrong starting point. One's opinion of who to vote for should be rather based on conviction. We should vote to end our perennial divisions and maximise our country's potential. We can finally change what has not changed in decades. It is not easy but it is possible.
This country has been ruled by the two major parties for too many years. They would like us to look back and applaud them for their achievements; independence, sovereignty, the welfare system, a relatively stable economy and a reasonably wealthy country considering our size and lack of natural resources. Gratitude and recognition are indisputable. Yet, these achievements cannot be viewed separately from the multitude of shameful episodes and facets of our society.
Post-war Malta has witnessed rolling five-year "dictatorships" fuelled by coercing and bulldozing parliamentary majorities. This has brought along a soulless country which cannot make any distinction between the state and the party in government. Actually, the term "state" does not exist in our political vocabulary.
The result of this eternal political stalemate can be read in Magħtab, the continuous rape of our environment and countryside, corruption, the undesired records in obesity and respiratory problems, violence and terror during the 1970s and 1980s, sporadic waves of brain-drains, the shambles of our broadcasting system, political patronage and clientelism, the only country in the west without divorce, the lack of a clear separation between the Church and the state, the lawless and omnipotent tribes of developers and contractors alongside the untouchable hunters, port workers, taxi and bus drivers. We can go on and on.
The real choice we have in 2008 is whether we would like more violent development sanctioned by a disorientated Mepa or a new authority with the sole mission to guarantee sustainable development and to protect our environment and our future.
We could choose more mismanagement, over spending and inefficiency epitomised by Mater Dei Hospital, the Manwel Dimech bridge, the St Paul's Bay bypass and various other roads, the waste management plant in Gozo, the Mġarr passenger terminal and so on.
Or else we could choose to have cost and time efficient, accountable and good governance. Unfortunately, we have got used to old partisan discussions which turn issues like education into conflict issues instead of having a responsible discussion between all parties and civil society.
The same goes for improving public transport, our welfare system, working conditions and rights, health services, our role within the EU and the international community while strengthening the successes gained by the country in spite of the two major parties. This old archaic way of doing politics leaves us with half-baked policies denying us also of bright minds to the detriment of good discussion and the nation.
These changes will not be brought about neither by the MLP nor by the PN. The two parties have had over 50 years to prove their worth and, judging by their recent records, neither party is capable of making this change happen.
The two parties are caught up in a political time warp of trying to be everything to everyone. This style of politics is based on fear.
The fear of losing votes does not allow the two parties to advocate change, let alone make it happen. Fear does not allow the two main parties to wrangle themselves free from the stranglehold of the construction magnates who pull the real strings at Castille. The duopoly game is quite simple. It's always about a new beginning with the same end. The antidote to the zero sum politics afflicting our islands is electing a third party in Parliament.
Azzjoni Nazzjonali is a dangerous nuisance which cannot be ignored. New Right parties across Europe are making electoral inroads due to their populist discourse advocating the dismantling of the welfare system littered with conservative and xenophobic sentiments. Thanks, but no thanks.
Unfortunately, Alternattiva Demokratika lacks the incisive punch and the ability to make people believe that change is really possible. They appear rudderless and disorderly. Nonetheless, it seems that the only catalyst of change is coloured in green. The party is founded on sound principles, with a clear mission to break the bipartisan deadlock, having the capability and potential to trigger the change.
Despite the disgraceful tinkering with the rules of the game by the parties in Parliament, the electorate will cast its vote freely on March 8. Difficult as it may seem we can only try. If we do not do it, nobody will do it for us. If we do not hope we will not achieve. If we do not act we will not change. Unfortunately, our only space to act in this democracy is Election Day and the only way to bring about change is by voting out the old and voting in a third party. This will not solve all our shortcomings but at least it will be a start.
The MLP and PN ticket is expired. They are the status quo. They cannot make it alone. They do not represent the people's desires and needs any longer. Even so, the country still needs them as none of us is better than all of us together. They can only contribute positively in a new political scenario which puts the country's' needs above personal and party interests. The two parties, like the rest of the country, need to change. Malta is ready to change and it certainly wants to change.
If it does not happen this time we should not lose heart. Hope never dies and the future will present us with further opportunities to achieve real and sensible change. The only certain thing is that our best days are still ahead of us.