Law needed to stop pre-election abuse of power - PN council president

The president of the Nationalist Party’s council on Wednesday called for legislation to stop abuse of the power of incumbency ahead of general elections.

Mark-Anthony Sammut was speaking at the opening of a council meeting convened to discuss the outcome of the general election and kick off the process for the election or confirmation of the party’s leader. Should no one contest Alex Borg as leader, a vote will still be held to confirm him in his position.

In his introduction, Sammut listed cases of abuse of power of incumbency ranging from direct orders to job offers, promotions, collective agreements and even granting of boat moorings on election day.

"We need to take a strong stand over the corrupt practices that took place during this election," he said.

Sammut explained that while he was not saying that such goings-on had cost the PN the election, there was no doubt that they had an impact. The concept of the ‘caretaker government’ had been lost.

Such matters, he said, did not strengthen democracy and he wondered how they could be tolerated in a modern EU member state.

“We need a legislative intervention and the PN should insist on this,” he said.

Party deputy leader Alex Perici Calascione, who spoke later in the meeting, also referred to the abuses.

The electoral battle had been an unequal one, he said, listing abuses in the granting of jobs, permits, licences, financial packages and direct orders worth millions of euro.

“This is a reality which we cannot ignore. We will face it and fight it as is our democratic duty,” he said.  

Why did the PN lose the election – activists have their say

Prof Maryanne Lauri, who heads the PN’s research unit, presented a report with reactions to the general election from party activists and members of the public. The feedback was gathered at party regional ‘assemblies’ and online.

She said that party leader Alex Borg was repeatedly praised as a source of new energy, hope, honesty and infectious enthusiasm which had helped attract new people to the party.   

The party’s electoral proposals were seen as good, she said, but they did not always reach everyone. People repeatedly praised the party’s proposals on energy, succession duty, transport, families, health and pensions, seeing them as serious and substantial. But some said that some of the proposals came too late. Others said the language used to explain the proposals was sometimes too complicated and a simpler, more consistent message was needed.

Prof Lauri said a number of people were also still hurt by the past and still lacked confidence in the PN.

“The problem is not just political but possibly also emotional,” she said. The people wanted change, but some were still not convinced that the PN could bring about that change.  

She said calls were made for the PN to strengthen its contact with the people, not just online but more importantly, in the streets and in people’s homes.

During the assemblies, she said, some had pointed out that the Labour Party had been better able to reach migrant communities.

Many pointed to a disadvantage for the PN on the traditional media and social media. As a result the PL could control the narrative and effectively advance its arguments while undermining the PN.

Many also complained about the abuse of the power of incumbency, mentioning jobs and other irregularities.

Some mentioned shortcomings in the PN’s database and the need for the PN to use its data more effectively.

As for the party structures, concerns were raised by a lack of coordination, a lack of volunteers and a need for better training.

An emphasis was made on the need to reach people who had not voted.

Many said the electoral campaign was a good one, the electoral programme was strong. There was a sense of optimism and hope for the future.

However some said the PN did not say enough about corruption and abuse of power. Some argued the campaign should have been more aggressive in its criticism of the government.