The present electoral system is enough to break any unprepared 3rd party’s will. Everything is in place to ensure that under normal conditions, no real competition can possibly rise up against the two political giants. There is no national quota to give an equal field but a system where a candidate must garnish enough votes from only one district. Normal electoral practice in other democratic EU countries allow for any party getting (say) 3% of national votes (and not on a district) to be guaranteed a seat in parliament. This means that if enough people feel comfortable throughout the nation for a particular party to represent them then democracy -the will of the people - wins the day. But not in Malta. The PN & the Liberals recognise this fact, waste much hot air telling us that Malta has to adopt this system... and then change nothing of the present status quo that suits them just fine. Irrespective of what the people want, once more.
We know that the PN and the Liberals (PL) have their own TV/radio stations too. Something unheard of in other democratic countries yet so important is media to them that they are willing to spend millions (that they might not even have!) on pure unadulterated one-sided propaganda. The other media that is not in their direct control seems to be in the hands and pockets of “business interests” which in turn are too close to both the traditional major political parties for comfort let alone for real impartiality.
If anyone can vouch how the media is used in a totally biased manner against smaller parties it is Alleanza Bidla Party. Several rulings by the Public Broadcasting Authority (PBA) clearly shows that this quite a ‘normal’ and shameful practice. A very illegal but useful tool that being employed by the likes of One Productions and PBS/TVM, Net and Smash TV. The first two of these blatantly break Constitutional law continually. They have been fined tens of thousands of Euros (which you pay for) for the privilege. We all know who controls these and therefore who is clearly feels most threatened by Alleanza’s presence.
Thankfully the PBA is standing up for our rights. This week too, Alleanza won another victory against this abuse and with the wind in our sails, we shall keep exposing this blatant law breaking and fighting this abuse in a legal manner as long as it takes until once and for all, we will take this hatchet away from the bullies. We will continue to expose how the bullies work to crush any voice that disagrees with them knowing that one day soon they will have to come to us for terms.
A battle in process that we know we have already won. It is just a matter of time and perseverance that is paying off.
So, I thank you, The Malta Independent and F-Living TV for being the exception to this bad behaviour/rule. Despite the very serious pressures being put on you (we know), you remain the only truly impartial voice for all. You are exactly what all the others should be and are not - shame on them all!
At the same time we have just had a month of “more scandals”. More cases of corruption. The goliaths have once again turned their media machines fully on each other. Painting each other darker than themselves. Throwing the proverbial first stone on a particular issue or person in a clear attempt to hide its own sins . Sins, that in reality merit truck loads of stones to “justify” in this twisted manner.
How much more of this will they dish out thinking that we seem them as pure by darkening the other? We are all so fed up of this treatment. But this month’s dose of corruption and ping-pong attacks have been different to that which we have grown accustomed to over the last three years. Or the type that had gotten the PN thoroughly booted out of government in the last election.
It’s on a much grander scale. Much darker. On an international scale too, one might add.
Yes, this was the month that shook the world. Not the physical one but the political world in Malta. Again, its not the scandals themselves per se that shock their world. But suddenly, as if at the flick of a switch and buzzing throughout of Malta, there seems to be one thought that seems to be going ....viral. All Malta seems united. Agreeing on one, new reality.
That Malta needs a new third party.
It is tangible. Messages and calls flooding in from grocers shops. Hairdressers. From people at social parties. And at work. Malta needs a new third party is the sentence that sparks off conversations and people are agreeing on this point.
It is the time. It is finally happening. It is real.
For two years now, Alleanza Bidla has been at the forefront calling for and creating a viable third party. An upward struggle throughout. No other country in Europe has a two party system. Only in Malta, the supposed “champion of minorities” and progressiveness. And it is failing Malta miserably. The seed that was sowed two years ago is suddenly taking a life of its own.
In view of all of the above and despite all the hardships and sticks thrown at us in order to trip us up, I believe that I am fully justified in feeling very proud of Alleanza’s brave team. United in one goal. Who for two years, despite great personal hardship, have stood up to be counted against very strong currents and against all odds to reject this perverse two-party political system.
The seed that was sowed two years ago is suddenly taking a life of its own. New individuals and parties/movements standing up one after the other. A great feeling to see this happening.
So, is it hard to change the present system? Of course it is. The safeguards that are in place are there to serve the traditional party’s interests and not the country. But is the present system impossible to change? All I now have to do is to look back at all of the hard work and all we have done so far. To remember all the faces of those who did not share our dreams then. Who mocked the very idea. And then to see instead what is presently happening in Malta right now. This last month
People are standing up. New voices joining in choir. And the momentum started will now be very hard to stop.
We find ourselves literally walking into one meeting after another with like minded people wanting to come together to add to this momentum. This is not a time to sit back and feel good. There is much more hard work to be done. But as we grow and quicken our step, in our hearts we understand that this part of the war is won too. And so we find ourselves planning a new strategy that will hopefully give victory in the next phase too.
To those who are setting out on the same journey with us and to others who might set up their own parallel course, I say let’s all work harder for the same aim. More people are depending on us than ever before.
To the crew that I form part of, new and old, I therefore say: “All hands on deck. Take courage and....steady as she goes!!”