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maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 APRIL 2019 7 NEWS ANALYSIS extremely unlikely, the par- ty's fortunes depend on win- ning a respectable number of first count votes which would legitimise its present repre- stantion in the national par- liament. For a miserable performance in MEP elections will make the two PD MEPs in parlia- ment even more vulnerable to criticism that they owe their two seats to PN voters and cannot claim to represent any sizeable number of PD voters. Yet the party's appeal among PN voters may have also been harmed by the small party's interference in its former sen- ior partner's internal politics, with Marlene Farrugia even floating the idea of contest- ing the PN's leadership race and than putting spokes in the wheels of Delia's election to parliament by forcing by- elections. Moreover unlike the more down to earth greens, who seem more focused on local elections where they have a more tangible chance of elec- tion while contesting MEP elections without being under pressure to perform beyond what is expected of them, the PD has developed the pre- tensions and expectations of a large party which may be hard to fulfil. Farrugia's candidature may be seen as a frank admission of the failure of its candi- dates to gain name recogni- tion despite campaigning for months. This cannot be entirely blamed on the candidates themselves but reflects the difficulties faced by all third party candidates over the past decades. But it also reflects the fact that the small party remained associated with Godfrey and his partner Marlene Farrugia, with the latter taking more of a backseat in the last months. Yet by putting his name in these elections Godfrey Far- rugia is making a last ditched attempt to reverse his party's declining fortunes, in what appears to be a 'do or die' for the small party. The best bet for the orange party While Godfrey Farrugia may well be the party's best bet in these election, by contesting he is also taking a big gamble. For as a standing MP Farru- gia has even more pressure on him to perform well in these elections. Farrugia still re- mains the party's best asset in these elections. He not only appears moder- ate and soft-spoken but also has a reputation for integrity across the political spectrum. He may still enjoy respect among Labour voters, espe- cially those who resent the hold of the likes of Konrad Mizzi has on their party. Farrugia may be the best person in the PD to appeal to the nearly 20% of Labour vot- ers in 2017 who are presently undecided or intent on not voting. One of the greatest paradox- es of these elections is that third parties like the PD seem more focused on the restrict- ed PN cohort than on the PL larger voting base which in- cludes more floating voters. The focus on the disgrun- tled PN vote, particularly on the 'Daphne crowd' may well have limited the PD's appeal to this segment. Moreover the PD still faces a mental block among La- bour leaning voters who still associate the party with Mar- lene Farrugia's tirades against Muscat in anti-corruption demonstrations in the after- math of Caruana Galizia's egrant 'revelations'. The Greens who avoided any association with the PN in the 2017 election may be in a better position to pitch for the vote of labour voters who may have their concerns on issues like over development. Still with the party's show- ing little signs of appealing to disgruntled PL voters, as a former Labour minister and parliamentary whip Godfrey Farrugia - who now regrets having voted against a no- confidence motion in Konrad Mizzi - may carry too much baggage for the anti Delia PN voter. Even environmentalists may note the contrast between his present opposition to the tunnel between the two islands and the Forza Nazz- jonali manifesto commitment for the development of tun- nel between the two islands, albeit one which is linked to a national metro public trans- port system. With the chances of him get- ting elected as one of Malta's five MEPs remote, the ques- tion facing the party is what would be considered a good performance for the party in these elections? While Farrugia may well be the orange party's best bet for a respectable result, the party may be putting all its eggs in one basket. gamble Farrugia's candidature may be seen as a frank admission of the failure of its candidates to gain name recognition despite campaigning for months.

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