At a crossroad

Elections are, by their own definition and nature, times for decision and judgements.

It is the day, or period, when democracy reigns supreme and the people are asked to choose those who they think will lead their country in the best way. Elections are crucial to the future of a country and its people, but there are certain moments in a nation’s history when they take on a higher, more important dimension.

The June snap election is one such moment: it is another of those history-defining moments. I place it in the league of the most important times when we have been asked to chart our future – and these include the struggle for our freedom and democracy in 1987; the 1998 election that put us back on track for EU membership and the 2003 election that cemented our place in Europe. Our country is once again at a crossroads. It either keeps going down a dangerous path which risks bringing down whole economic sectors altogether and tarnishing Malta’s image irreversibly or else bringing back good governance and starting the cleaning-up process that is sorely needed.

The forthcoming election is indeed extraordinary. No one would have placed a bet on this government going to the polls a year ahead of schedule, considering the overwhelming majority that put it into power four years ago. On the back of ‘credible’ promises of transparency, meritocracy and good governance, Joseph Muscat rode a popular wave of support and won what was seen as a secure and comfortable nineseat majority. However, scandals plagued the Muscat administration from its early days and soon the cracks started to appear. However, nothing came close to damag-