'The lesser of two evils': This is what students will vote for

While political parties roll out daily proposals and campaign promises, some young voters say they feel forced to choose between what they see as the lesser of two evils.

During the first week of this year’s election campaign, Times of Malta visited MCAST and the University of Malta to ask students what they care about, what they want to stop seeing in politics and whether they plan to vote on May 30. 

On both campuses, one phrase was heard repeatedly: “I feel I have to choose between the lesser of two evils.”

Many students said they felt disillusioned with the two main parties.

Most said they intended to vote, although few sounded enthusiastic about doing so.

Among them was Shaun Grech, a 24-year-old MCAST student, who said: “The football-level politics we have has become boring.”

Grech said he wanted politicians to make difficult decisions rather than try to please everyone.

He said he was most concerned about wages failing to keep up with the cost of living, rising property prices and overpopulation.

Grech was not the only MCAST student fed up with politics.

Aiden, a 20-year-old IT student, described the finger-pointing between the two major parties as “child's play”.

He said he wanted a more mature and transparent political discussion, without propaganda.

As both major parties continue to announce several costly proposals, some young voters said they were worried about where the money would come from.

One of them was Paula Gauci, an 18-year-old electrical engineering student, who said one thing she hoped to stop seeing was: “Free handouts of money, I don’t think it is sustainable for the country”.

She said she wanted more sustainable environmental and energy proposals, rather than short-term fixes.

Pia Mifsud, a 19-year-old law student, was also sceptical about campaign promises, such as the stipend increases proposals. 

“Are these ever going to actually happen, and if so, how can they?” she asked, adding she felt political promises were rarely fulfilled.

Mifsud said she had become totally disillusioned with politics and did not know whether she would vote.

'I'm sick of it'

“To be honest, I am sick of it. It’s exhausting, and there is no hope," she said. The table of young women she sat with had mixed answers on whether they would be voting.

They initially said they would vote, but their answers were split.

Some said they felt the choice was between the lesser of two evils. Others said they might vote for third parties, such as ADPD or Momentum, although they remained undecided.

Another disillusioned student was Aisha Abela, who recently turned 18 and has just finished her A levels. 

Abela said she intended to vote but was still unsure who she would support. She said she would probably vote for a third party.

She said she wanted the next legislature to bring systemic change in education and welfare, with more long-term thinking.

Transport was one of her main concerns. She said the government scheme to pay young people €25,000 to give up their car was not enough to bring about real change.