Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets of Republic Street in Valletta. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow over the historic buildings. Tourists and locals alike are out, enjoying the evening. Now, picture this: a political rally is taking place. The crowd is cheering, not because of promises of grandeur, but because of a leader who stands up for what’s right, even when it’s tough.

Malta, we need to have a conversation. We need to talk about what we truly want in our leaders. Do we want charisma, the flashy speeches, the grand promises? Or do we want courage, the quiet strength, the steady hand that guides us through storms?

Charisma is attractive. It’s the shiny coin that catches our eye. It’s the captivating speech that makes us feel inspired, part of something bigger. It’s the reason why political rallies in places like Castille Square can draw such large crowds. But charisma, like that shiny coin, can be deceiving. It can promise the world, but delivering is a different story.

Remember the 2013 election? The promises were grand, the speeches were inspiring. But five years later, we’re still grappling with issues that were supposed to be a thing of the past. Charisma can win hearts, but it’s courage that wins wars, or in our case, battles against corruption, inequality, and stagnation.

Courage isn’t flashy. It doesn’t promise the world. It doesn’t even promise an easy ride. But it does promise one thing: it promises to do what’s right, no matter the cost. It’s the steady compass that guides us through storms, not the lighthouse that shines bright but can’t weather the storm.

Let’s look at the recent protests against corruption. It takes courage to stand up against powerful figures, to demand transparency, to fight for justice. It’s not glamorous. It’s not easy. But it’s what Malta needs. We need leaders who are courageous enough to stand up to corruption, to fight for the little guy, to make tough decisions that might not win them votes but are right for Malta.

We need courage in our civil service too. We need courageous public servants who are willing to speak out against wrongdoing, even when it’s not popular. We need courage in our media, courageous journalists who are willing to investigate, to ask tough questions, to hold power accountable.

Let’s look at some examples. Daphne Caruana Galizia had courage. She stood up against corruption, against powerful figures, against threats. She paid the ultimate price, but her courage inspired a movement. The students who led the anti-corruption protests had courage. They stood up against a government, demanding change. They didn’t promise grand things, they just demanded what’s right.

And what about the courageous whistleblowers who exposed corruption in Pilatus Bank and the Electrogas deal? They didn’t do it for fame or fortune. They did it because it was the right thing to do. They are the embodiment of courage, the steady compass that guides us towards a better Malta.

Malta, we need to ask ourselves, what do we want? Do we want the shiny coin that promises the world but can’t deliver? Or do we want the steady compass that guides us through storms, even if it’s not easy? Do we want charisma, or do we want courage?

Let’s make a pact. Let’s promise to look beyond the shiny speeches, the grand promises. Let’s look for the quiet strength, the steady hand. Let’s demand courage, not charisma. Because Malta needs leaders who are courageous enough to stand up to corruption, to fight for justice, to make tough decisions. Malta needs courage.