The main political parties have data about their respective support in every locality across Malta and Gozo. The majority of the 34 localities in which elections were held are Labour leaning. Despite this, Joseph Muscat, as in previous electoral appointments, played the underdog card in the run-up to polling day, and in public stated that a single vote majority would suffice. In reality he expected to deal the PN a knockout blow at the polls by retaining, if not exceeding the 17 percentage point margin registered in 2012.
That has not happened despite a strong national campaign mounted by the PL’s strategists. It has not materialised regardless of the Prime Minister’s tactic to ridicule the Leader of the Opposition at every opportunity. Muscat’s antics may have gone down well with a section of the electorate in the past but as the result suggests such facile marketing is less appealing after only two years in government. People are seeing through Muscat’s propaganda.
On the other hand the PN’s main target to reduce the gap between the parties was achieved. Given the party’s modest and localised campaign, a reduction of five to six percentage points was seen as an ambitious objective. To everyone’s surprise Busuttil halved the gap from 17 per cent to less than nine per cent. In terms of actual votes, the PN polled 14,000 more votes than it did in 2012.
The second PN’s target was to retain a majority in Mosta, Siġġiewi and Nadur while at the same time attempting to gain the support of the majority of one or two marginal councils. Retaining the majority in the three localities was by no means an easy feat.
Muscat and the PL launched a smear campaign of mudslinging against the former Mosta mayor and other individuals. The Labour Party failed on this count. On Sunday morning, the PN leader had every reason to be upbeat on receiving news of his party’s accomplishment in overturning Labour’s majority in St Paul’s Bay.
The road ahead for the PN is not easy but Busuttil has just dented Muscat’s aura of invincibility
The third PN target was to make inroads in Labour strongholds. Significant shifts were registered in Birżebbuġa, Żurrieq, Marsaxlokk and Kirkop, all forming part of the fifth electoral district. The PN’s share of votes also increased in Paola, Santa Luċija, Żebbuġ and Qormi. On polling day, blue localities such as St Julian’s, Attard, Swieqi and Balzan became bluer.
Furthermore, the PN appears to have benefited greatly from the novelty of allowing 16-year-olds to vote for the first time in local elections. The MZPN’s campaign managed to mobilise new voters and the blue party is becoming popular among the younger generation. Busuttil should not waste any time to propose an amendment to grant 16-year-olds the right to vote in general elections.
In contrast, the results in Gozo were disappointing for the PN. Once regarded as the natural home for Gozitans, the PN is losing ground and the party’s administration has to grab the bull by the horns.
Gozitan MPs Giovanna Debono and Frederick Azzopardi have already said they will not contest the next general election.
PN general secretary Chris Said, who is doing an excellent job at Pietà, had to sacrifice his presence in his constituency. In a nutshell, the party does not have enough boots on the ground and it needs to address this by identifying new candidates as soon as possible.
As for the rest of Malta, the PN must keep its feet firmly on the ground. The party made very good progress but it is still in a minority. While savouring its accomplishment the party must continue with its work to build bridges with civil society and with those who were hurt with decisions taken by past Nationalist administrations. Furthermore the party should not shy away from approaching individuals and families who have always voted Labour. As we have learnt in past elections, parties’ alliances are becoming more volatile.
If the PN aspires to be the people’s party it must remain on the side of the people and among the people. In the second half of this legislature, the party must project itself not just as a strong Opposition but also as an alternative government.
Since becoming PN leader, Busuttil has transformed the party from one that was in shambles to a force to be reckoned with. The revamp of the party’s image must continue. If anything, the local council results should speed up reforms within the party.
The PN leader, a marathon runner himself, uses the same analogy to describe his party’s current state. The party is half way through a marathon run. The road ahead for the PN is not easy but Busuttil has just dented Muscat’s aura of invincibility and instilled belief that the Nationalist Party is back in business. Busuttil’s resilience is paying off.
Hermann Schiavone is a PN councillor in Birżebbuġa.