Throughout their history, many nations arrive at the proverbial crossroads, and these defining moments are often referred to as ‘moments of truth’. This expression is a translation of the Spanish el momento de la verdad. It was first used in the English language by the great American author Ernest Hemingway to describe the moment at the end of a bullfight when the matador must call upon all his strength, concentration and courage as he moves in to make the kill. In an everyday context, it is the moment when a person’s character, courage and skill are put to a crucial test.

Malta is, of course, no exception, and I well remember one of them that arose in 1986 following the abnormal result of the 1981 general election. According to our Constitution in 1981, the party that obtained the greatest number of parliamentary seats formed the government, and no provision was made in the case of a party polling an absolute majority of the popular vote.

This is what in fact happened. Both sides claimed victory.

The Malta Labour Party said it had won according to the rules, while the Nationalist Party claimed that it had won a moral victory based on the popular vote.

There followed years of political tension with several unfortunate and violent incidents and with both sides fighting tooth and nail to find a solution to this impasse.

Finally, with the elections fast approaching, Dom Mintoff stood up in Parliament on December 11, 1986, and in his inimitable style, made a passionate, last-minute attempt to break the deadlock.

The government finally legislated regulating the financing of political parties, but events of the past weeks have demonstrated that more stringent controls are required

He said that the country had reached “the moment of truth” and urged both sides of the House to agree on constitutional changes that would ensure that a party that polled a majority of the votes cast would govern the nation.

Then Opposition leader Eddie Fenech Adami, in a show of statesmanship, was quick to reply that he would recommend to his side of the House to accept the proposed changes. Good sense prevailed, and Malta was saved from what potentially could have been catastrophic times.

I believe that the country is once again fast approaching another moment of truth. I have always held that our electoral system has a serious democratic deficiency, inasmuch as it does not provide the democratic process with enough protection from the undue influence of ‘big money’.

After 20 years of discussions, the present government finally legislated regulating the financing of political parties, but events of the past weeks have demonstrated that more stringent controls are required.

Let us start off by acknowledging that political parties need to be financed to perform their essential role in a democracy. If we want to eliminate, or at least diminish, the risk of big money exercising undue influence on this process, then I believe that the solution open to the country has got to be State funding, coupled, of course, with a ban on any donation of substance.

The definition of a donation might also need to be widened to ensure that nobody will be able to circumvent the law.  Furthermore, any infringement of these regulations should become a criminal offence committed by both the donor and the receiving party. I would propose that, if found guilty, both parties would be liable to a fine equal to five times the donation made.

If we were to provide €20 of funding for each vote cast, then the total cost to the taxpayer would not exceed €6,000,000 every five years.

Considering the state of our economy, I don’t think this is an extravagant amount. I know that there are those who would justifiably argue that there are better ways of spending taxpayer money, but I believe that if this measure allows parties to get their messages across without fear or favour, it will be money well spent.

The President recently spoke in favour of State funding.

I am also adding my voice to this cause, with a plea to the Prime Minister and the Opposition leader to put their differences aside, rise above confrontational politics and in a spirit of national unity, make a real attempt to reduce one of the main contributors to the scourge of corruption and back-room dealing that the country has experienced over the years.

Leaving matters unchanged is not an option.

Tony Zammit Cutajaris a retired businessman.