Both the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party must be pleased with the activities they held over the past few days.

Labour’s programme of events is still to end tonight with a mass meeting to close a week-long congress in Ta’ Qali, while the Nationalist Party held theirs on the eve of Independence Day, a traditional closure to the party’s celebrations on the Granaries in Floriana for the birth of this nation.

The PN held a series of dialogue meetings to tackle different subjects which it sees as its strength – focusing in particular on health, education and employment, three areas where the PN has registered great results for Malta.

For its part, the PL tried to grab some headlines in a week that is usually a PN stronghold by holding what it called a congress to debate ideas that are to form the basis of its electoral programme.

It can safely be said that the two events were a clear indication of the shape of things to come in the election campaign. While the PN speaks of its good track record at a time when other countries passed – and are still passing – through economic upheaval due to financial difficulties, the PL speaks of government failures and projects itself as a valid alternative to the current administration.

We expect that this line of strategy continues all the way through to the day of the polls, although of course matters are set to heat up more as election day approaches. We will get to know more when both parties present their plans for the next five years, with the PN insisting that the people know what the PN stands for and where it is going, while the PL will aim to convince the electorate that now is the time for change.

Tradition holds that a party with a new leader wins the election – Lawrence Gonzi did so in 2008, Alfred Sant won in 1996 and Eddie Fenech Adami in 1981 (although that election goes down in history as one in which Labour remained in government after winning more seats in Parliament). To that end, Joseph Muscat seems to have an advantage, although recent surveys show that Dr Gonzi is swiftly catching up with him in terms of popularity.

Still, it is said that a week is a long time in politics. And so it is hard to predict any outcome as of now. With Parliament set to resume its functions on 1 October, the country will then swiftly gear up into an election mode. The Prime Minister is keeping his cards close to his chest, expressing an intention to carry on with his term in office right till the end.

But many things can happen in between and all options are still open.