The way elections are held in Malta did not change, but we have gradually moved to have elections that are of the “presidential” type. There is a great concentration on the leaders of the two major political parties – and this happens when it comes to “promoting” a party as well as “denigrating” the opposition.

While the Nationalist Party does its best to push forward the image of Lawrence Gonzi as being the ideal prime minister for Malta, at the same time it gives great attention to throw bad light on Labour leader Alfred Sant. On the other hand, the MLP concentrates most of its work to highlight Dr Sant’s good leadership qualities, while trying to criticise Dr Gonzi’s way of doing things as much as possible.

As such, this is to be expected. Every political party tries to gain ground by emphasising its good points and belittling those of the adversary, making particular reference to the leader of the “other” party.

What the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party do not seem to realise is that however, by doing so, they are putting great pressure on their leader. Any mistake, even the tiniest, will be expounded upon by the opposing party and its media, and this could ultimately prove that party’s downfall.

No doubt, the two parties will be comparing and contrasting the two leaders as election day approaches.

The Nationalists say that they will be contesting the election with a new leader who has, in his three years as prime minister, continued to build on the success of his predecessor while doing politics in a different way. They say that he has led the country through a rough patch but came out with flying colours, as the progress made in a relatively short time enabled the country to pass the strict examination imposed by its bid to join the eurozone.

The PN says that Labour is still led by Dr Sant who failed in his role as prime minister when he was given the chance, and that Labour after all is not a changed party in spite of their claiming to be so. They say that Dr Gonzi managed to achieve so much for the country in just three years, and can now look forward to building on this success with a new team.

The Malta Labour Party will counter all this by saying that Dr Sant should be given another chance to lead the country. The first cannot be taken into consideration because of circumstances that were beyond Dr Sant’s control. The MLP says that the people are feeling the pinch of a Nationalist strategy that did not bring about well-being, and that they are suffering the consequences of bad decisions which are affecting their pockets.

The MLP says that the Nationalists are tired and have become complacent, and mentions a string of “scandals” which show that there is a need for a breath of fresh air, something that only a new party in government can give. The MLP says that Dr Gonzi did not keep his promises of a new way of doing politics, and that Dr Sant should be entrusted with the job of prime minister.

We will hear more and more of this in the weeks leading to the election, with the doses increasing every day. Throughout all this, the people will be doing the same exercise – that of comparing the two parties and the two leaders. Most of all, however, the people must compare what the two parties are proposing for their future, and which of them will be in a better position to maintain the promises made.