Back in the game

The substantial gains registered by the Nationalist Party at the local elections has changed the political context. For many, the Nationalist Party’s chance of being re-elected again in three years’ time seemed an almost impossible feat. The substantial difference in votes between the two major political parties registered at the last general and European Parliament elections led many to perceive the result of the upcoming general elections as a fait accompli. This is most certainly no longer the case. 

Simon Busuttil could not have placed it any better – Joseph Muscat is no longer invincible. Indeed, the Prime Minister seemed unassailable, crushing anything that came his way. Could this be the point of no return for Joseph Muscat? 

Time will tell, but one thing is certain. The gains made by the Nationalist Party in this past year under the leadership of Simon Busuttil may be due to varying issues. Joseph Muscat tried his best to use the local council elections as a national campaign between him and the Leader of the Opposition. It is for this reason that I will analyse the result from this perspective. 

The floater

There is no doubt that the movement Malta Taghna Lkoll is over. A number of floaters, with no allegiance whatsoever to any party, do not care which party is elected to govern. On the contrary, they vote on current observations with considerations to what the parties are proposing. 

Any floater would agree that Malta Taghna Lkoll was indeed a good slogan – had it been implemented. However, soon after election day it was flushed down the drain, nowhere to be seen or heard. The fact that the shouts from Labour supporters to the sound of Malta Taghna Lkoll could not be heard any longer at the counting hall last weekend is testament to the demise of Malta Taghna Lkoll. If Malta Taghna Lkoll is dead, then so is the movement. 

Malta Taghna Lkoll is also dead because the Prime Minister did not keep to his promise of making public appointments based on credentials and ability. Instead, he resorted to appointing each and every backbencher to a chairmanship (with the exception of Marlene Farrugia).  

Thus, one assumes that the floater is less than impressed with a number of decisions taken by Joseph Muscat himself, most notably the scandalous handout to pay for Café Premier’s private debts – from our pockets. 

The Nationalist

The Nationalist Party is registering gains all throughout, with the exception of Gozo. A substantial number of these gains include traditional Nationalists who felt the need to vote for a Nationalist local council candidate again after having abstained or possibly voted Labour in the 2012 local elections and the 2013 general elections. 

In this regard, the Nationalist Party has managed to win back some of these traditional voters in its drive to approach lost voters who had been left to the winds by the party before the last general election. Previously disgruntled Nationalists might have decided to vote again in view of the substantial changes undertaken by the party in the past two years. 

The creation of sectoral policy fora has injected new blood and new ideas, which together with the new approach of being more sensitive towards our people’s needs has attracted the once-lost traditional voters. 

The Labourite

In a number of localities, a percentage swing of distinct proportionalities was observed from the Labour to the Nationalist Party. Furthermore, in other localities, like any other government, Labour had a haemorrhage of votes that did not necessarily translate into votes for the Nationalist party. This denotes Labour supporters who stayed at home in the hope of sending a message of disappointment to their government. 

The return of the Nationalist Party

The Nationalist Party now finds itself in higher spirits for the first time since the 2013 general election. As a new Member of Parliament since the start of this legislature, there is a feeling out there that the Nationalist Party has registered, as of last Saturday, a new impetus of energy and support – one that is much-needed for it to be able to go forward. 

Much of the merit should go to the leader, Simon Busuttil, who had to (and still has to) endure an uphill struggle. 

Labour clearly underestimated the potential of Simon Busuttil. Joseph Muscat’s strategy of ridiculing the Leader of the Opposition has backfired, with the former turning himself into a macho, rather than a gentleman. Simon Busuttil’s approach might have not appealed to everyone, prima facie, but he has shown that he has what it takes to bring about the change necessary in his own party. Simon Busuttil is the underdog, only to be reinvigorated with much more strength and determination.