The Malta Labour Party often says that the Nationalist government is “old and tired” and that the country needs a breath of fresh air. It says that when he was elected as PN leader and prime minister, Lawrence Gonzi had promised a new way of doing politics, but that this new system did not materialise. The MLP is therefore basing its electoral campaign on what it is saying will be a “new beginning” if Labour is elected to government.

For its part, the Nationalist Party says that the Labour Party is still led by the same man who failed in his stint as prime minister, as he was unable to finish the five-year legislature when the MLP won the election in 1996. It says that more or less the MLP is still made up of the same people who put the country in great difficulty in just 22 months of government. The PN says that if Labour is elected to government, it will be no new beginning at all.

Alternattiva Demokratika has for long been saying that Malta should have a third voice in Parliament, as this would break the status quo and give the people a much better means with which to question what the government is doing. In its quest AD has recently been joined by the new political party, Azzjoni Nazzjonali, which is itself also insisting that it is better to have more than two parties represented in Parliament. Both AD and AN know that they cannot win the election, but both believe that they could elect one or more MPs that would change the way the country is run.

There are therefore various questions that will be answered when the people cast their vote. Will the people give the Nationalist Party a third successive term in office, but elect younger people to do away with the older generation of Nationalist politicians? Or will it give the Labour Party – and Alfred Sant – a second chance? Will AD, AN, or both, manage to win one or more seats?

For the Nationalists, the fact that Dr Gonzi has been prime minister for only three and a half years is an advantage. The country has performed steadily under his leadership and the sacrifices that were made when he took over the headship are now bearing fruit. The PN’s liability is that there are several ministers who have not delivered the goods. Collectively, the government has done well, but individually there have been failures.

For the Labour Party, the fact that Dr Sant is still leader of a party that has been in opposition for nearly two decades is a disadvantage. The people have already tasted his performance as prime minister and since he was not able to finish the job, the people might be reluctant to try him out again. The possibility that Labour could win by default is there. The MLP is still to convince the people that it is a better alternative, but the fact that it has been in opposition for so long could work in its favour.

For AD and AN, electing one MP would already be a great victory for either, or for both. They would have managed to break a 41-year deadlock, considering that Malta has had a two-party Parliament since 1966. Whether this would help the country to be run better or create political instability remains to be seen.

With the Nationalist Party gaining ground on Labour over the past months – and especially after the budget 2008 presentation – as things stand now the election will be a close affair. But a lot of water will have to pass under the bridge by the time the people will be asked to vote. And therefore all parties must be careful what they say.

One mistake may tip the balance the other way.