As claims of scandals grow by the day and libel suits fly, the country is awash with speculation as to how long the Prime Minister can possibly withstand the pressures that are building up within the political system.
Joseph Muscat has dismissed any possibility of an early election but there is no question that the island is already inching itself steadily into an election mode. Dr Muscat refuses to tackle the burning issue that can earn him precious time to solve the image crisis that people within his own party have created for him.
His refusal to sack the Health and Energy Minister and his chief of staff in the wake of Panamagate and the string of scandals that surfaced in the first three years of his administration has, once again, fuelled controversy as to whether it is time for Malta to break the hold of the two major parties in the island’s political system.
Since the electorate ditched the third parties, or what were popularly called “centre parties”, in the 1960s, the political system has been dominated by the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party. Both major political forces tear each other apart not just during an election campaign but at most times during each legislature, as it is happening now.
The contest never ends, turning the country into a bubbling political cauldron that feeds on scandals, sleaze, speculation, gossip and political retribution. This has led to widespread national disenchantment with politics and politicians. Many strongly argue that a third party in Parliament could clip the arrogance and excesses of the governing party and bring about a fairer representation in the House and a greater degree of accountability.
With the threshold – the minimum level of support a party needs to get representation in Parliament – being what it is, it is difficult for a third party to break the hold of the two major ones.
These are unwilling to make it easier for more parties to get in their way, perpetuating their duopoly to the consternation of electors who would wish to see a wider representation.
A winner-takes-all system is preferable to both the Labour and the Nationalist parties than a multi-party one because it allows them greater flexibility.
Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages. The two-party system may well ensure greater stability, however, it spawns greater patronage and an acute level of partisanship.
It is difficult to say whether, when it comes to the crunch, the electorate is prepared to give a third party a chance. For a very long time, this country was practically divided in two equal pieces politically but that is changing.
Dr Muscat is choosing to go against of key promises he made in the electoral campaign. Having been elected with a huge majority, he has disappointed the thousands of switchers who truly believed he would bring about the change he promised in Maltese politics.
The way he is faltering and throwing his own principles to the wind is once again making people yearn for a lasting change. The party in Opposition is an alternative. A third ‘balancing’ party in Parliament is another option.
It is most unlikely Dr Muscat will go to the polls anytime soon, which means the country has ahead of it yet another turbulent political period.
Debate is essential in the country’s democratic process but the two parties would need to draw the line in their day-to-day political battles and avoid going to extremes that could damage the national interest.