I was very disappointed that none of the female candidates were successful at the 2009 European Parliament election in Malta. This is a great pity because the female view of the world enriches politics and will now be missing from Malta's contribution at European Parliament level.

Let me make it clear that this does not mean that I do not have the fullest confidence in the abilities of all the candidates elected. Far from it. However, the fact remains that Maltese women are under-represented in our national House of Representatives and are now totally excluded from the European Parliament.

It seems that politics is still seen by many Maltese voters as being predominantly a male domain. Traditionally, it has always been like this but I feel that, by 2009, it was high time for a change.

The decline Of Alternattiva Demokratika

It's a pity that Alternattiva Demokratika seems to be on the verge of political extinction. A third political party is always good for Maltese politics. Obviously, I have never supported Alternattiva Demokratika because I have full confidence in the Labour Party but anyone who is involved in politics in Malta recognizes the fact that Alternattiva Demokratika has made a significant and positive contribution towards ameliorating the quality of Maltese politics, especially in the field of the environment.

Malta's Greens, however, are clearly on the decline and I doubt how long they can survive because, judging by electoral results, they seem to be a spent political force. Persons such as Arnold Cassola, Victor Galea, Stephen Cachia, Michael Briguglio and Mario Mallia are all persons of a certain calibre as well as genuine political commitment and Malta can ill-afford to lose their talents.

A discredited government

After the result of the European Parliament Election, Lawrence Gonzi is with his back to the wall. It is clear that he and his government have been totally discredited and that there is a new national political movement in Malta under the leadership of Joseph Muscat.

People are absolutely fed up with the arrogance and inefficiency of the Nationalist Government. Of course, it is simplistic to think that Gonzi will take any radical actions such as calling a General Election years before its time. No, he will probably plod on in office but not in power because power belongs to the people and the vast majority don't have any confidence in him and his Government.

In doing so, the country will continue going down the road of regression instead of progress. Lawrence Gonzi can also rest assured that his place in Maltese political history is guaranteed, for all the wrong reasons, of course.

Any self-respecting national leader who wins a General Election as Gonzi did in 2008 and then gets a clear message in 2009 that the people don't have any confidence in him, would resign. In Lawrence Gonzi's case, forget it. He will simply plod on and Malta and the Maltese will be the losers.