Why the Election Feels Unreal: A Maltese Perspective

As I sit here in my apartment in Msida, overlooking the bustling Strait Street, I can’t help but feel a sense of surrealism. The usually vibrant street, now eerily quiet due to COVID-19 restrictions, is a stark reminder of the rare times we’re living in. Yet, amidst this silence, the political machinery grinds on, leading us towards an election that feels… unreal.

An Election Like No Other

Malta’s election on March 26, 2021, is set to be unlike any other in recent memory. The pandemic has cast a long shadow, transforming the usual campaign trail into a virtual scene. Candidates are now more likely to be seen on your smartphone screen than on your doorstep. The traditional election rallies, with their boisterous crowds and fiery speeches, have been replaced by sterile Zoom calls and socially distanced press conferences.

But it’s not just the format that’s different. The issues at play feel somehow… unreal too. We’re discussing a future that’s uncertain, a world that’s changing rapidly. The pandemic has brought into sharp focus issues like public health, economic resilience, and digital infrastructure. These are topics that, while always important, now feel urgent, even existential.

Navigating the Unreal: Local Concerns

Take, for instance, the issue of public health. In a normal election, it might be a side issue, discussed in the context of healthcare reform. But in 2021, it’s front and center. The pandemic has brought our healthcare system to the brink, and the question of how we protect our community from future threats feels very real, very immediate. I’ve heard it discussed in the grocery stores of Msida, in the hushed tones of neighbors who usually chat about soccer or the latest Netflix show.

Or consider the issue of digital infrastructure. In a pre-pandemic world, it was a nice-to-have, a way to make life more convenient. Now, it’s a necessity. As I look out at Strait Street, I can’t help but think about the businesses that have had to pivot online to survive. The election feels unreal because the issues at stake are no longer just about the here and now, but about our future, our resilience, our very way of life.

Finding Reality in Uncertainty

So, how do we make sense of this unreal election? How do we navigate these uncertain waters? I believe it’s by focusing on the real. The real people of Malta, their needs, their fears, their hopes. The real issues that affect our daily lives, from healthcare to education, from jobs to housing. The real future that we’re all working towards, together.

As I look out at Strait Street, I see a future that’s uncertain, yes, but also full of potential. A future where we can build back better, stronger, more resilient. A future where we can come together, as a community, to face the challenges ahead. And that, to me, feels very real indeed.

So, let’s not get lost in the surrealism of this election. Let’s focus on the real. Let’s vote for the future we want to see, for the Malta we want to live in. Because, despite the uncertainty, despite the challenges, our future is in our hands. And that, my friends, is very real indeed.

As the late, great Maltese poet Dun Karm used to say, “Il-Ħajja Ħadra” – Life is short. Let’s make the most of it. Let’s make our voices heard. Let’s vote.