Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1446843
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 JANUARY 2022 NEWS 5 Given that Robert Abela's father, George, was at the time deputy leader of the Labour Party before falling out because he disagreed with an early election, June may be somewhat of a personal milestone for the prime minister 'First family': Robert Abela waves to Labour supporters, seen here with his wife Lydia and daughter Giorgia Mae 19 March election Parliament will have to be dis- solved on 14 February There is very little substan- tive difference between this date and 12 March but it cre- ates more complications for the Pope's visit. Apart from the potential dis- ruptions in the build-up to the papal visit, the two weeks af- ter 19 March will see the new government being formed and casual elections taking place. The post-election turbulence will be too close to the Pope's visit and unpalatable for the Vatican. If Abela's choice is March, it is un- likely he will opt for the 19th when he can hold an election a week earlier. April ruled out The news that Pope Francis is slated to visit Malta on 2 and 3 April has effectively ruled out April for an election. East- er Sunday comes on 17 April and people will be relishing a proper celebration this year in the wake of an improving COVID situation. 21 May election Parliament will be dissolved on Easter Monday 18 April A May election capitalises on the feel-good factor generated by spring, the lifting of COV- ID restrictions and the fact that people would have celebrated a relatively normal Easter. It allows the government to ful- fil more budget measures and address individual grievances, especially among the rank and file. On the downside, rising infla- tion in food prices could hurt people's pockets even more, making this an electoral issue. Global economic uncertainty as a result of COVID-induced supply chain disruptions, the lack of long-term clarity on how the pandemic will evolve and the Joseph Muscat factor will weigh heavily on Abela's mind before deciding whether to risk prolonging the election date to May. 28 May election Parliament will be dissolved on 25 April There is no substantive differ- ence between holding an elec- tion on 28 May and 21 May. The same considerations apply to both dates. 4 June election Parliament will be dissolved on 1 May Any election in June will be held in the first weekend to avoid intruding into the sum- mer season, when people switch off, go on holiday or are prepar- ing for the village feast. A June election will shut down criticism that a Labour admin- istration is unable to run its full term – a spectre that has haunt- ed the party since the Sant ad- ministration of 1996 that ended after just 22 months. Given that Robert Abela's father, George, was at the time deputy leader of the Labour Party before falling out because he disagreed with an early election, June may be somewhat of a personal mile- stone for the prime minister. Kicking off the election on 1 May, Workers' Day, which the PL traditionally marks with a mass meeting in Valletta, will also provide the right platform for Abela to champion his social credentials. But all the risks associated with holding an election in May will persist. A June election will also be on the doorstep of a meeting of the Financial Ac- tion Task Force (normally held towards the end of June) when Malta will be making its pitch to get off the greylist. This could make greylisting a more omi- nous issue in the election cam- paign.