Monday, 10th March 2008
Florida
As I write this, the country is still in a state of uncertainty, expecting concrete indications of the result of the general election. The only conclusion until now is that the result might be one of the closest, if not the closest, in the history of Maltese politics.
I think it is time for everyone to take a step back and reflect on the polarised state of this society.
This country is practically divided in two and those who will govern will have to take this strongly into account.
One of the low points of this campaign was the way in which education was dragged in the arena of partisan politics.
It goes without saying that everyone has the right to express oneself on any proposal being put forward. Nevertheless, the way in which an innovative idea was butchered on the altar of petty politics has not done our society any good.
Education policy must be restored to its proper place.
One reform that we should be thinking about is that relating to eligible voters residing abroad and who are flown in to vote.
Reports suggest that 3,200 voters got a subsidised €35 ticket. Half of them came from the United Kingdom while a third came from Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy.
I think it is high-time that we consider having the possibility of voting in our embassies in the various countries. Parties could have their representatives there and it would be easy to have the voting take place a day before if there is insistence that the counting should take place in Malta.
I know that I might not be very popular with those benefiting from such a good fare to visit home but this system would be more cost-effective and simpler.
With the advent of the new technologies, does it really make sense to keep the eve of an election as a "day of reflection"?
While mainstream media are relatively easy to control, the new media operates in a totally different context.
It might be time to re-think these rules too.
Florida kept coming to my mind all day long.
Last week I wrote that whatever the result, we are too small to be divided.
I still believe that.
Dr Muscat is a Labour member of the European Parliament and vice chairman of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.
RSS