Why This Election Feels Like A Dream… Or A Nightmare

Standing outside the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, I watched as the Prime Minister’s car pulled away, leaving behind a cloud of dust and a sense of unease. It was just another day in the run-up to Malta’s 2022 general election, yet it felt… off. Unreal, even. But why?

An Election Like No Other

Malta’s political scene has always been vibrant, to say the least. But this election feels different. It’s not just the usual banter and bickering; it’s the sheer scale of it all. The constant stream of press conferences, the relentless social media blitz, the never-ending stream of promises – it’s enough to make your head spin. It’s like we’re living in an election Groundhog Day, and the alarm hasn’t gone off yet.

And then there’s the pandemic. It’s looming large over this election, a silent spectator that’s changed the game. Virtual campaigning, socially distanced rallies, and constant reminders of the ‘new normal’ – it’s all a far cry from the handshakes and hugs of elections past.

Politics In The Time Of COVID

The pandemic has thrown a spanner in the works of traditional campaigning. No more packed halls, no more door-to-door canvassing. Instead, we’ve got Zoom calls and Facebook Live streams. It’s a far cry from the usual hustings, and it’s left many feeling disconnected from the process. It’s like we’re watching a political drama unfold on our screens, but we’re not quite sure how to interact with it.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The pandemic has also brought out the best in some. We’ve seen parties come together to support each other’s initiatives, and politicians reaching out to their constituents in new and innovative ways. It’s a silver lining in this cloud of uncertainty, a reminder that even in the most challenging times, there’s room for unity and compassion.

An Election Of Uncertainty

But perhaps the most unreal feeling about this election is the uncertainty. We’re living in a world where nothing is certain, where the future is a big question mark. And that’s reflected in this election. The usual polls and predictions seem almost irrelevant in the face of the pandemic. We’re in uncharted territory, and it’s a daunting feeling.

But despite the uncertainty, one thing is clear: this election matters. It’s our chance to shape our future, to decide who will lead us out of this pandemic and into a new normal. It’s a responsibility we can’t afford to take lightly, no matter how surreal the process feels.

So, as you cast your vote on the 26th of March, remember that this election, for all its strangeness, is very real. It’s our chance to make our voices heard, to shape our future. And that’s something worth waking up for.

“This election is about more than just politics,” says Dr. Joseph Muscat, a political scientist at the University of Malta. “It’s about our future, our families, our communities. It’s about coming together, even when we’re apart. It’s about hope, and that’s something we can all relate to.”