Elections are, by their own definition and nature, times for decision and judgements. It is the day, or period, when democracy reigns supreme and the people are asked to choose those who they think will lead their country in the best way. Elections are crucial to the future of a country and its people, but there are certain moments in a nation’s history when they take on a higher, more important dimension.
The June snap election is one such moment: it is another of those history-defining moments. I place it in the league of the most important times when we have been asked to chart our future – and these include the struggle for our freedom and democracy in 1987; the 1998 election that put us back on track for EU membership and the 2003 election that cemented our place in Europe. Our country is once again at a crossroads. It either keeps going down a dangerous path which risks bringing down whole economic sectors altogether and tarnishing Malta’s image irreversibly or else bringing back good governance and starting the cleaning-up process that is sorely needed.
The forthcoming election is indeed extraordinary. No one would have placed a bet on this government going to the polls a year ahead of schedule, considering the overwhelming majority that put it into power four years ago. On the back of ‘credible’ promises of transparency, meritocracy and good governance, Joseph Muscat rode a popular wave of support and won what was seen as a secure and comfortable nine-seat majority. However, scandals plagued the Muscat administration from its early days and soon the cracks started to appear. However, nothing came close to damaging the government as did the revelation that secret companies had been set up in the shady jurisdiction of Panama. These secret companies were for Minister Konrad Mizzi and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Keith Schembri. The rest is common knowledge, with damning facts being published on a daily basis.
The recent focus on the ownership of the third company, and detailed leaks of kickbacks, proved to be the nails in this government’s coffin. The Prime Minister decided to put his interests before those of the country and, in the midst of a magisterial inquiry investigating him, chose to call an election.
This election is our chance to stop the rot. The reputation of a strong and reputable jurisdiction that took years to build is now under serious threat. Malta is in the international spotlight. There has been corruption at the highest levels of government that has rarely been seen before in Malta, calls for change from genuine people with different political beliefs are now becoming more frequent and now we have had the Government whip resign his post.
We are approaching the crossroads. The Nationalist Party is once again on the side of the people and on the right side of history. The 1987 election put our country back on the democratic world map. 1998 corrected the course away from the EU, upon which it had embarked in 1996. 2003 was the culmination of a vision that the Nationalist Party had long embraced. In a few weeks’ time we will be voting either to save Joseph Muscat’s skin or to save Malta. I choose Malta.
Sam Abela is a PN Candidate for the 7th district