In past weeks there has been much talk about the reasons to explain why the result of the last general election ended up the way it did. Some factors were described as decisive. Still in my view, such discussions did not give sufficient importance to major objective features of the national scene as well as the state of society, that hugely determine the outcome of general elections.
In elections held between 1992 and 2008, there were two such features: the state of the economy, and the European perspective for and in Malta, which was strongly affected by the EU’s soft power. In 1998, there was an added particular feature: a process of internal sabotage within the Labour Party. As of 2008, the importance of the European “dimension” faded away, which did great damage to the PN.
To me, it remains a mystery how the PN did nothing to counter this damage while then largely ignoring the Labour administration’s economic success. It concentrated on issues of corruption that of course are important, but that by themselves at a time of rapid economic progress, do not impact public opinion so much.
***
Speaker Farrugia
Anġlu Farrugia fully deserved the general approval that met his reappointment to the post of Speaker of the Malta Parliament. He carried out some very good work as Speaker, while remaining balanced and firm in his decisions.
Over the years in other times, Dr Farrugia and I worked together, sometimes while having competitive differences between us, much more frequently while sharing the same commitments and appreciations. I always liked his sincerity, integrity and straight talk. They no doubt have served him very well as a Speaker, enabling him to attract support from all quarters.
In future, Dr Farrugia will have a central role in efforts that still need to be attempted to lever Maltese politics into a more civil, restrained and dignified mode.
***
Imnarja
Are the traditional holidays losing their significance? Or have they lost it already? Can they still be considered as meaningful occasions?
Probably the traditional festa of St Peter and St Paul, the Imnarja, is the most affected by these doubts. It is associated in the popular mind with the agricultural sector, which unfortunately is in decline. The shows and exhibitions that go on display to celebrate the feast are most interesting but feel quite distant from the everyday lives of people.
Actually, the need is felt to preserve and continue to observe the habits and traditions associated with the Imnarja. However the idea that a national holiday has to rely mainly on folkloristic memories to justify its existence does seem quite overstretched.
Along with other similar occasions, the festa needs to be inserted in anarrative about the national identity that is updated to today’s requirements. Among these there is the necessity to strengthen the commitment not to allow traditional sectors of economic activity to disappear. I wonder whether this can be done by commemorating in an antiseptic manner, behaviour and practices that very few still follow. A better way would be to link the festa itself to the promotion of modern and viable methods of operation in farming (and fisheries).