Why the Election Feels Unreal: A Maltese Perspective

As I walked down Republic Street yesterday, the usually bustling heart of Valletta felt eerily quiet. The usual chatter of tourists and locals alike was replaced by an almost tangible anticipation. Election day is just around the corner, and yet, there’s a sense of surrealism hanging in the air. Why does this election feel so different, so… unreal?

Pandemic Politics: A New Normal

The pandemic has upended our lives in countless ways, and politics is no exception. This election is the first major political event since COVID-19 swept the globe. The usual rallies, handshakes, and door-to-door campaigns have been replaced by virtual town halls and social media blitzes. The physical distance has created an emotional one too, making the election feel less tangible, less real.

the pandemic has highlighted issues that were once on the periphery of our political discourse – healthcare, economic inequality, and the digital divide. These have now taken center stage, changing the nature of the debate and making this election a referendum on how our leaders have handled the crisis.

Divided We Stand: The Polarization Effect

Malta’s political scene has always been polarized, but never more so than now. The lines have been drawn, and the rhetoric has been ratcheted up. Social media, once a tool for connection, has become a battleground. The echo chambers we’ve created have made it difficult to find common ground, let alone a shared reality. This polarization has contributed to the sense of unreality, as if we’re all living in different worlds.

Take a stroll down Strait Street, once the heart of Malta’s nightlife, now a symbol of the pandemic’s impact. The silence is deafening, a stark reminder of the economic fallout and the political choices that will shape our recovery. The stark contrast between the vibrant past and the quiet present of this election, yet the divisiveness makes it feel less like a shared national moment and more like a series of parallel monologues.

The Youth Vote: A New Force?

Another reason this election feels surreal is the potential for a new force to shake up the political scene – the youth vote. With a record number of young people registered to vote, there’s a sense of possibility in the air. Will they turn out in droves, and if so, will they vote for change or maintain the status quo?

I spoke to a group of students at the University of Malta, who told me they feel disconnected from the political process. They see the issues that matter to them – climate change, affordable housing, mental health – barely discussed in the mainstream debate. Yet, they’re determined to make their voices heard. Their enthusiasm is infectious, but it also contributes to the sense of unreality – can this energy translate into votes, and if so, will it make a difference?

As I sit here, writing this, I can’t help but feel a sense of detachment from the election. It’s not that I’m not engaged – I am, deeply. It’s just that the usual markers of an election season – the noise, the energy, the sense of collective purpose – are missing. Instead, there’s a quiet anticipation, a sense of waiting for something to happen, for the other shoe to drop. It’s like we’re all in a holding pattern, waiting for the election to make our reality feel real again.

But perhaps that’s the point. Perhaps this election, with all its strangeness and surrealism, is a chance to reimagine our reality. To rethink our politics, our priorities, our future. Because if there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s that reality is what we make it. So, let’s make this election count. Let’s make it real.