Picture this: it’s a sunny afternoon in Malta’s bustling Republic Street. Tourists are snapping selfies, locals are sipping their coffee, and suddenly, a middle finger pops up on a billboard. Not just any billboard, but one right in the heart of the election campaign. This isn’t a prank, it’s a political statement that’s got everyone talking.

The Billboards that Started it All

The 2022 Maltese general election is in full swing, and political parties are pulling out all the stops to grab voters’ attention. Billboards line the streets, each one louder than the last, until one day, a lone middle finger stood out among the sea of smiling faces and promises. The billboard, paid for by a group calling themselves ‘The Silent Majority’, featured a simple message: “F**k you, we’re voting.”

Located at the busy junction of Republic Street and Merchants Street, the billboard was impossible to miss. It sparked immediate outrage, with some calling it disrespectful and divisive. Others, however, saw it as a refreshing dose of honesty in an election season filled with spin and platitudes.

The Group Behind the Middle Finger

The Silent Majority, as they’ve dubbed themselves, is a loose collective of young Maltese who feel disillusioned by politics. They’re not affiliated with any political party, and they’re not running for office. They’re just a group of citizens who’ve had enough of the status quo. Their spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous, told Hot Malta, “We’re tired of politicians telling us what we want to hear. We want real change, and we’re not afraid to say it like it is.”

When asked about the billboard, the spokesperson laughed, “We wanted to make a statement that couldn’t be ignored. We wanted to show that voters aren’t just a bunch of faces on a billboard. We have feelings, we have opinions, and we’re not afraid to use our voices.”

The Fallout

The billboard has sparked a national conversation about political engagement, free speech, and the role of youth in Maltese politics. Political parties have been quick to condemn the billboard, but many young voters have been equally quick to defend it.

Dr. Joseph Cuschieri, a political scientist at the University of Malta, told Hot Malta, “This is a wake-up call for our political establishment. Young people are no longer content to be passive voters. They want to be engaged, they want to be heard, and they’re not afraid to make noise.”

As the election season continues, one thing is clear: The Silent Majority has made its mark. Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t ignore it. And isn’t that the point?