Why the Election Feels Unreal: A Malta Perspective

As I walked down Republic Street yesterday, the usual buzz of Malta’s capital was replaced by an eerie silence. The usually vibrant street, lined with pastizzi shops and historic buildings, was eerily quiet. The only sound was the rustling of campaign posters in the gentle breeze. It felt like a scene from a movie, not the lead-up to a general election.

An Election Like No Other

Malta is no stranger to elections. We’ve seen our fair share of political drama, from the 2013 election that ended the Nationalist Party’s 25-year reign to the 2017 election that saw the Labour Party secure a second term. But this time, it feels different. Unreal, even.

Part of it is the timing. The election, originally scheduled for June, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it’s set for March 26, just as the island is starting to emerge from the pandemic’s shadow. The sense of unease is palpable, and it’s not just about the virus.

Campaigning in a Pandemic

Campaigning in a pandemic is a challenge no political party has faced before. Traditional door-to-door canvassing is out, replaced by virtual meetings and socially distanced rallies. The Labour Party’s rally at the Granaries in Floriana last weekend was a stark reminder of the times we’re in – face masks, hand sanitizers, and a sea of empty chairs to ensure social distancing.

The Nationalist Party, on the other hand, has opted for smaller, more intimate gatherings, reflecting their strategy of targeting specific voter segments. But even these are a far cry from the packed halls of pre-pandemic elections.

Issues in the Spotlight

Despite the unusual circumstances, the issues at stake are as real as ever. The economy, healthcare, education, and migration are all hot topics. But the pandemic has brought new issues to the forefront – how Malta will emerge from the crisis, how we’ll protect our elderly, how we’ll ensure our children don’t fall behind in their education.

And then there’s the elephant in the room – the ongoing inquiry into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The election feels unreal, in part, because the shadow of her death still looms large over Maltese politics. It’s a stark reminder of the stakes involved in this election, and the need for real change.

As I stood there on Republic Street, looking at the quiet street and the campaign posters fluttering in the breeze, I was reminded of a quote by Maltese poet Dun Karm: “Il-Ħajja tiegħu, ħajja tiegħu, ħajja tiegħu” – “Your life, your life, your life.” This election, despite the strangeness of it all, is about our lives. Our future. And that’s very real indeed.