Editorial

Thankfully, election campaigns do no longer generate that sense of uneasiness the country experienced in the past when outdoor meetings by rival parties sometimes led political hotheads to lose control of themselves.

Today, election campaigns are far more civilised as changing times have brought about new attitudes and greater tolerance than in the past.

This may be due to greater political maturity, the milder temperament of the new breed of politicians and, also, to the fact that most would today prefer to get their information through newspapers, radio and television, rather than mass rallies, although these still form an important part of a party's electioneering programme. Home visits by politicians have become important too.

This development has not, however, reduced the sharp political keenness that characterises the local political scene, as it does, after all, in so many other countries abroad. Political talk becomes lax as one party tries to outwit the other with claims and allegations that sometimes even end up in libel suits. To a number of politicians, quoting out of context becomes par for the course as they seek to make headway in their personal efforts to get elected. Radio and television stations add spice to the campaign, with politicians often seen to be engaging in slanging matches rather than discussions.

The problem for the parties is how to win new voters to their side. With the segment of uncommitted voters believed to be ever on the increase, the need for the parties to win over these people becomes pivotal in their election campaigns. Which is why both the PN and the MLP do not look kindly on the other parties that are out to get the votes of those who may feel disgruntled with their performance. Both Alternattiva Demokratika, which has been contesting elections for quite some time now, and Azzjoni Nazzjonali hope to make an impact this time. But will they?

This election is of tremendous importance to the leaders of the two main parties. Lawrence Gonzi is contesting as leader of his party for the first time and Alfred Sant has had two consecutive electoral defeats since his government collapsed when it lost a confidence vote in Parliament over a waterfront marina. True, his party won a string of local council elections and the European Parliament election but there is a great difference between these and a general election. Failure to win this election will probably mean the end of Dr Sant's leadership of the party.

A number of polls have shown that Dr Gonzi is seen as a better political leader than Dr Sant.

What can definitely be said in favour of the PN leader is that under his stewardship the country has made significant progress on many fronts. His government has not, of course, solved all the country's problems and Dr Gonzi is among the first to admit that they have also made mistakes along the way. There is much that needs to be sorted out but can it be denied that the country has made a leap forward in quite a number of areas?

Yes, the country needs to be far more competitive than it is today; despite all the money pumped into reforms, the shipyards have not yet reached their target of financial viability; there is still much to do in the drive to improve the environment and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has to be made more transparent in its work - the Prime Minister has just announced he will personally oversee a Mepa reform if re-elected; there is need for less bureaucracy and for greater efficiency all-round. These are all areas that call for sustained attention.

Having said this, there is more on the plus side that ought to make the uncommitted voters think long and hard before casting their vote in this election.