Politics of Values: A Malta Perspective

Imagine standing at the foot of the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, the sun casting a golden glow over the historic building. Now, imagine the political banners and posters that usually line the streets are replaced with signs bearing words like ‘honesty’, ‘compassion’, ‘equality’, and ‘justice’. This is not a scene from a utopian dream, but a vision inspired by Malta’s own Alexei Dingli, a political candidate who ran on a platform of ‘upholding the politics of values’.

Values-Driven Politics: A Rare Breed

In the often divisive world of politics, a candidate running on a platform of values might seem like a rare breed. But for Dingli, a former journalist and now independent candidate, it was a natural progression. “I’ve always believed in the power of values to guide us,” he says, “whether it’s in our personal lives or in politics.” Dingli’s campaign, centered around the ‘politics of values’, caught the attention of many Maltese, sparking conversations about the role of values in politics.

Values in Action: Dingli’s Campaign

Dingli’s campaign was a departure from the usual political rhetoric. Instead of focusing on party manifestos or criticizing opponents, he centered his campaign around five core values: honesty, compassion, equality, justice, and sustainability. He held public meetings, not to make promises, but to listen to people’s concerns and share his vision for a values-driven Malta.

One of Dingli’s key initiatives was the ‘Value of the Month’ series. Each month, he focused on one of the five core values, encouraging Maltese to reflect on its importance and how they could embody it in their daily lives. For instance, in August, the focus was on ‘compassion’, with Dingli urging Maltese to reach out to those in need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Values in Malta’s Political scene

Dingli’s campaign raised an important question: Can values-driven politics thrive in Malta’s political scene? Malta’s politics is often characterized by strong party loyalties and divisive rhetoric. However, Dingli’s campaign showed that there’s an appetite for a different kind of politics.

Dr. Joseph Azzopardi, a political scientist, believes that values-driven politics can indeed thrive in Malta. “Malta has a strong civil society and a history of social activism,” he says, “There’s a lot of potential for values-driven politics to resonate with Maltese voters.”

Dingli’s campaign was not an isolated incident. Other candidates and political parties have also started to emphasize values in their campaigns. The Labour Party, for instance, has made ‘solidarity’ one of its core values, while the Nationalist Party has emphasized ‘freedom’ and ‘responsibility’.

: The Future of Values-Driven Politics in Malta

Dingli’s campaign may be over, but the conversation about values-driven politics in Malta continues. Dingli himself is not ruling out a future run, saying, “I believe in the power of values to transform politics, and I’m committed to continuing this conversation.”

Dr. Azzopardi agrees, “The future of values-driven politics in Malta depends on how well we, as a society, engage with these values. If we continue to discuss, debate, and embody these values, we can indeed see a shift in our political scene.”

, the question remains: Will Malta embrace a politics of values? . But one thing is certain – the conversation has begun, and it’s one that’s worth having.