We are a group of citizens who have come together with the common goal of seeking reform of Malta's electoral laws in order to introduce a greater degree of proportional representation. Specifically, we believe that a national threshold should be introduced whereby proportional representation in Parliament will be extended to third parties. We are unaffiliated with any political grouping and have differing political beliefs, save for this single issue.
We consider the need for reform of Malta's electoral laws to be self-evident in our democratic society. The present electoral system may potentially disenfranchise over 10 per cent of the electorate. We believe that this is unjust and undemocratic. Our goal is the enfranchisement of every citizen, irrespective of his or her political convictions.
We are aware that our views are not shared by all. It is necessary to have a national debate about reform so that all views may be aired and judged openly. We begin this conversation now not because we wish to influence the way people will vote on Saturday - we are aware that the outcome of this election will have no direct effect on electoral reform - but because general elections are topical today, and indeed because the manner in which our electoral system functions constitutes a part of the marketing strategy of a plurality of political parties.
Our views will not be altered if minor parties do not command significant support in this election. Nor will they be altered if a third party succeeds in electing a candidate under the present system. Our plea to prospective Members of Parliament is to rearrange the systemic imbalance. It is this systemic potential for mass disenfranchisement that concerns us, not the electoral fortunes of any existing political grouping.
Perfect proportional representation in a 65-seat parliament would require a political party that attracts the support of 1.54 per cent to be represented with one seat in parliament. We understand that a threshold as low as 1.54 per cent might lead to a cumbersome state of affairs. A debate regarding reform of electoral laws should also seek a balance between governability and proportional representation.
We reject the argument that proportional representation will lead to a dictatorship of the minority. This argument is based on false premises and does not account for the fact that the interests of minorities hold the balance of power in a winner-takes-all system.
Witness the sway that the hunters' lobby has held over national politics since 1996. Indeed, we are of the view that the current system forces political parties to try to be all things to all people, and drives parties away from articulating a programme that is founded on clearly defined principle.
Our aim is that parties will commit themselves to enter into discussions during the next legislature in order to amend the Constitution. We believe this discussion should be held openly so that the electorate's input may also be taken into account. In fact, we are of the view that public discussion of matters that affect our Constitution is essential in a democratic society. Every major party has handled thorny issues in the past. Every major party has sacrificed its hold on power for the greater good. We hope that on this occasion prospective Members of Parliament will again act in a spirit of service to all of us.