Weary of the politicking that goes on in Malta all the time, most are looking forward to the break from politics that is usually observed by political parties over Christmas. Breaks are few and far between in an island bubbling with controversies. There is of course nothing wrong with having such a keen political environment. The problem only arises when controversies, par for the course in a democracy, are carried to near-breaking point.

Make no mistake, the moment the festive season is over the political parties will shift into top gear again in preparation for the European Parliament election in May. Even though the election will be for only six candidates, the country will again be thrown into an election mode, with the parties going all out to out-perform their opponents. It will also be the first electoral test since the March election and the outcome will therefore show if there has been any marked change in support for the two major parties.

What makes politics so suffocating in Malta is probably the small size of the country, though, mercifully, there is no longer that kind of keen political tension that characterised the political environment so often in time past. But even though there has been a dramatic change in the political situation in this respect, political animosity, generally fuelled by rampant clientelism, still divides the country into two sharp political camps.

Promises by party political leaders to work for a change in the way we do politics, often made with zealousness and strong conviction at election time, fall by the wayside in no time after an election as party political pressure generally dictates official government action. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, for instance, threw meritocracy overboard the moment he ran up the steps of Castille.

But these and so many other controversies are put on the back burner during the festive season as the country’s leaders give their messages of goodwill and people are told to stop and reflect for a while on all that is good and positive in the country. The overwhelming response to fund-raising activities held over this period is indicative of the ever growing sense of solidarity the people show with those in need. The urge to give, to support worthy causes, is an admirable trait that burns deep in the heart of so many people especially during the festive period, as the amounts collected in major events show only too well.

But there are other worthy aspects of life in the country that ought to instil even greater confidence. The country may have not struck oil or gas yet, but through sheer hard work and an ability to grasp new opportunities, it has been able to steer away from much of the trouble that has hit so many countries these past few years.

Malta has its own set of problems; the country’s finances have yet to be put in order and some essential services, such as the general hospital and public transport, still cry out for greater efficiency. Greater efforts would need to be made to attract a greater flow of foreign direct investment to help create greater economic activity and generate new jobs. However, despite all the difficulties, the country has had one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.

So, as the country takes a step back from politics over the festive period, it would not be out of place to count our blessings.