Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1453707
NEWS 9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 FEBRUARY 2022 as any party is bound to lose some votes after a decade in power. They are expectations that could even foster a worse form of clientelism, especial- ly now that an obsession with super-majorities has become ingrained in Labour's psyche. Faced with near certain de- feat and with a limited target in mind, Grech should be under less pressure. Abela is under pressure to win big. Grech can focus on just reducing the gap. The feelgood factor If Abela does go for a May or June election, he would be showing confidence that the country's feelgood factor can be restored quickly after the winter lull. The further lifting of COV- ID restrictions, cash handouts directed at electorally strate- gic groups like pensioners and students, photo opportunities offered by the spectacle of a pa- pal visit, and the return of mass political activities in which La- bour excels, may reverse the small decline of the past weeks. After all, even last year, a dip in the polls in March was fol- lowed by a surge in support for Labour in the next months. And short of disowning Mus- cat, Abela could use the next weeks to distance himself from his predecessor through concrete actions like revers- ing the Żonqor land grab. If Abela manages to persuade that segment of Labour voters in 2017 who presently intend not voting, he could increase his majority and vanquish the opposition, which will find it harder to galvanise voters in an exhausting and long campaign. So much depends on the polls: if the PN closes the the gap in the next month it could gain momentum. If it remains stuck at 2017 levels, disenchantment may set in, with the PN risking a free-fall and possible losses to third parties when the actual campaign starts. Having won Labour's leader- ship after initial polls suggest- ed that rival Chris Fearne had an insurmountable lead, Abela must be aware of the dangers posed by a short campaign for any favourite or incumbent. By investing in a long cam- paign Abela will be able to see the PN peaking before its final blitz, which Labour must have already scripted. The PN is showing signs of resilience, but Abela wants and could be in reach of Labour's biggest elec- toral victory yet. But how 'labour' will this vic- tory be? Abela will have to prove his authenticity while the PN is in full force to undermine his credentials. And if it's not just politics, then there is the risk that it will be a bloodbath that further increases the disen- chantment of middle of the road voters. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Expectations for a super-majority are unrealistic and even damaging, as any party is bound to lose some votes after a decade in power. They are expectations that could even foster a worse form of clientelism, especially now that an obsession with super-majorities has become ingrained in Labour's psyche Faced with near certain defeat and with a limited target in mind, Grech should be under less pressure. Abela is under pressure to win big. Grech can focus on just reducing the gap