With another 22 months to the next ge-neral election, the political battle lines are being drawn. At this point in the electoral cycle, good governance versus good stewardship of the economy seem implicitly to be the grounds on which the next ele-ction will be fought.
It could hardly be otherwise. Both the government and the Opposition will wish to play to what they perceive to be their electoral strengths. Their objective will be to reinforce the support of their core voters and, more importantly, to capture the votes of that all-important segment of the electorate that will decide the election.
This segment is largely made up of floating voters who, from the evidence of the last election, appear to be growing in number. One assumes that these are thinking voters who put the long-term interests of the country above those of the traditional party or self-interest. It is this crucial demographic to which both parties will seek to appeal.
Running on its record, the government will aim to put public disillusion at the broken promises on meritocracy, Malta Tagħna Lkoll, its maladministration and poor governance – let alone the lingering stench of the Panama Papers – behind it. Instead, it will highlight its undoubted success in economic performance.
Those who argue that the Labour government simply inherited a successful economy from their Nationalist predecessors underestimate how easy it is for poor stewardship to wreck even a good economy. The government will underline the good management essential for Malta to come through the continuing global economic turbulence unscathed and stronger.
Since 2012, GDP has increased by €1.6 billion in three years. Economic growth has risen to 6.3 per cent from 2.6 per cent, albeit this is forecast to reduce slightly over the next two years. GDP per head has grown by over €3,000 since 2012. This is an excellent record to be taking into a general election. As Bill Clinton famously put it: “It’s the economy, stupid”. This will be the government’s battle cry.
But this may not be enough. Thinking voters, dismayed by the misgovernment that has been the hallmark of this Labour administration, may well consider that the scandals that have tarnished it can only be swept clean by electing a fresh political broom. The Nationalists’ rallying cry will be that proper governance should trump economic performance in the long-term interests of the country.
The Opposition will insist that only a new Nationalist government can make the basic necessary improvements to the way Malta is governed to overcome the malaise and demoralisation gripping the country.
Rightly grasping that this is the government’s Achilles heel, it has consistently attacked the abuse of executive power displayed by the government. It has launched a document, ‘Restoring Trust in Politics’, which sets out a range of proposals for introducing good governance to Malta. It will no doubt be honing and improving these proposals to make them more credible and workable.
Many commentators have pointed out that the Nationalists in power were equally culpable and venial. Indeed, it was precisely this that brought them down three years ago. But this is not a valid reason for not supporting what they are promising to do if elected.
In the final analysis, a successful democracy and a thriving economy must be founded on the twin pillars of a well-governed, cohesive working State and the rule of law. The electoral battle in 2018 will be won or lost on a judgement by thinking voters of whether, in the absence of good governance, economic success on its own will suffice.