The elephant both parties ignored

Promises, incentives and financial handouts dominated the recent election campaign. At times, it seemed as though commitments were falling like manna from the sky, with each party striving to outbid the other in a contest of altruism, even if some pledges were shortsighted.

This approach reinforced a political culture in which electoral choices are decided by what individuals stand to personally gain rather than by what serves the common good.

Beyond the cacophony of competitive pledges and glossy political platitudes, one issue remained conspicuously absent from the national debate: good governance versus corruption.

For discerning citizens, the central question was not which political party could promise more but whether Malta’s institutions are functioning, as they should. Economic growth, social measures and infrastructure projects are important. But none of them can substitute trust in the institutions that govern the country.

Over the past decade, Malta has been marked by a succession of governance controversies. The Panama Papers revelations, 17 Black allegations, Electrogas project, Vitals hospitals concession, findings of the public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and an everlasting list of scandals have all left a profound impact on public confidence.

Whatever one’s political allegiance, these sleaze episodes have dented trust in public institutions. The recent Eurobarometer survey, for example, reported that 67% of respondents believe corruption is widespread among officials dealing with building permits.

Some argue that governance and corruption issues do not determine election outcomes. They point to previous campaigns that focused heavily on corruption and failed to alter the electoral result.

The fact that governance concerns do not always determine election outcomes does not, however, make them any less important. Nor does it justify their absence from the main political debate. The quality of governance is not simply another campaign topic but the foundation upon which every other policy rests.

Corruption operates quietly, eroding standards, weakening institutions, silencing voices and diminishing public trust. Like a termite infestation, its effects may not be immediately visible but the long-term damage is irreversible.

By choosing to ignore the corruption issue, the Nationalist Party (PN) not only missed an excellent opportunity to hit Labour’s Achilles heel and present itself as a credible alternative to such sleaze but also played into Labour’s narrative: namely the normalisation of corruption as a way of life and a means of governing.

By ignoring corruption, the PN played into Labour’s narrative- Albert Buttigieg

When governance failures become normalised, expectations are gradually lowered. Citizens begin to accept standards that would once have been considered unacceptable. Worse still, they lose faith that meaningful change is possible, eventually concluding that both political parties are cut from the same cloth. Consequently, democracy itself is weakened, not by a lack of choice but by a lack of trust.

This is why political parties aspiring to govern must offer more than a catalogue of benefits and incentives. They must present a compelling and concrete vision of the country they seek to build. Previous PN administrations inspired support through the vision of Independence and European Union membership. These were not merely policy proposals. They were broader narratives about Malta’s future.

In my book, a pressing fundamental question remains unanswered: What kind of country do we want Malta to be?

The answer cannot be limited only to tax rebates, subsidies or financial incentives. A credible national vision must address the quality and standards of our democracy, the strength of our institutions, the rule of law, the wellbeing of our beleaguered environment, transparency, accountability and long-term sustainability.

Without such a vision, political campaigns risk becoming little more than marketing exercises in which parties compete to offer more of the same. The elephant in the room remains good governance. Until it is confronted honestly and consistently, Malta will struggle to move beyond short-term political calculations.

Political campaigns and narratives based solely on competing benefits and giveaways are likely to resonate only with hardcore supporters, alienating discerning citizens who expect vision, integrity and genuine solutions to the challenges facing the country.

Until then, discerning citizens will continue to feel politically orphaned.

Albert Buttigieg is a former Nationalist MP and a former mayor of St Julian’s.