In September 1964, precisely 50 years ago, preparations were in full swing for the heralding in of a new era in Malta’s political history. After centuries of foreign rule, the island was finally becoming a member of the international fraternity of independent states. Our forefathers gave us one of the most precious gifts: the right to decide our own destiny. They gave us the right to elect our representatives. They gave our representatives the right to govern this country, not in the name of some foreign power, but in the name and interest of the Maltese people.

It was a challenging time both politically and economically. Our economy which till then was heavily dependent on the British military presence, had to open up and find new sources of development and prosperity. Our political class, who previously operated under omnipresent colonial interference, now had the liberty and power to act independently of any foreign rule.

The whole of Malta had to adapt to this new reality. There were some who doubted whether Malta could survive on its own. There were some who considered our smallness an inhibiting factor. There were some who thought we would be too fragile to stand on our own two feet. History proved these doubters wrong.

The economic transition could not have been smoother. Manufacturing plants started to mushroom. New hotels were built, laying the foundations for our thriving tourism industry.

The institutional transition likewise happened in a seamless manner. Our House of Representatives, Courts of Law, public administration, Police Force and other institutions necessary for good governance adapted quickly and efficiently to the new reality.

Fifty years are a blink of an eye in a nation’s history. But in the past five decades we have managed to do so much. Malta grew politically, economically and socially. The going was not always smooth. There were times when our democratic credentials were put to the test. Sadly, blood was spilt to defend our newly acquired rights. There were times when our economy stagnated and started looking inwards instead of outwards. But as a nation we never lost faith, we never looked back.

With our sights firmly fixed on the future, 10 years ago we joined the European Union. We did so because our economy is intrinsically linked to that of Europe. We joined because our values are identical to those of Europe. We regard the European Union as a guarantor of peace, security and democracy and as a protector of the sovereignty of its member states.

The government’s intention to do away with elections goes against the democratic foundations of our nation. It weakens the very rights that the Maltese people acquired with so much pride 50 years ago

The basic principle of democracy is that true power lies with the people. Those of us who had or have the privilege to serve in the name of the people should never lose sight of the fact that we are mere representatives. Our actions are to be guided by the expressed will of the people. We should strengthen the voice of the electorate and never try to drown it. That is why I find it ironic that, precisely in the month when we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of independence, the government launched a consultation process to suspend local council elections until 2019.

The government originally defended its stance by saying that doing away with a round of local council elections will save the nation €2 million. But faced with the unanswerable question of ‘what price democracy?” government had to change its stance. It is now saying that the suspension is necessary to address voter fatigue.

This in my opinion is an even more lame excuse. Voter fatigue, if it really exists, should not be addressed by suspending elections but by carrying out campaigns to educate and remind people about the importance of voting. It should be addressed by highlighting the importance of local councils, very much in the manner that Joseph Muscat used to do when he was Leader of the Opposition. He used to tour councils and encourage people to go out and vote for Labour councillors. He used to argue that Labour driven councils managed to fulfil a high percentage of their electoral programme and on this basis encourage voters to return a Labour majority.

Likewise the Nationalist Party strove to get its supporters to go out and exercise their duty and vote. That is the role of political parties in a democracy. Within this context the role of government is to organise elections and if necessary push for high voter turnouts. It is certainly not the role of a democratic government to effectively cancel a poll by postponing the next round of local council elections.

The government’s already questionable and weak stance becomes even weaker if one gives weight to the argument that the government is cancelling these elections to undermine the referendum on spring hunting. If this is the case, it is effectively delivering a double blow to our democracy. This is not on. The government’s intention to do away with elections goes against the democratic foundations of our nation. It weakens the very rights that the Maltese people acquired with so much pride 50 years ago.

Mario de Marco is the deputy leader of the Nationalist Party.