Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530962
IT has not been a particularly good year for Labour, but nor could it be said that it was a good one for the Nationalist Par- ty. Yet, paradoxically, both were celebrating the result of this year's EP election back in June. The Labour Party reiterat- ed its message that it remains the people's choice, having emerged as the largest party. The PN emphasised that the significant reduction of the gap between the parties to just under 8,500 votes was an in- dication that Labour is losing people's trust and people are starting to consider the PN as a government in waiting. However, it must be said that this election was a European election, which cannot be tak- en as a straightforward indica- tor of where people's loyalties lie, especially since in EP elec- tions, voters tend to experi- ment much more with their vote than they would in a gen- eral election. The same could be said of the results obtained by 'third par- ties' and independent candi- dates. It was a particularly good performance by Arnold Casso- la, making it to the 34th count with close to 24,000 votes (and 12,706 first-count votes). Also, interesting numbers were regis- tered by former Labour mayor turned independent candidate Conrad Borg Manchè and ul- tranationalist head of Imperium Europa Norman Lowell, who re- ceived around 6,000 first-count votes each. This scenario might beg questions on how firm the hold of Malta's political duopo- ly remains, a conversation that often picks up around election season but tends to fizzle out within a few months. But this cannot be said this time round. This year marked interesting developments in the ambitions of key individuals who seem to be upping the an- te when it comes to aspiring for a seat in power. For example, Il-Kollettiv was launched earli- er in 2024 as an initiative that works closely with residents' groups, particularly on putting up resistance to construction works in villages and towns but is also vocal on issues of social justice and precarity. Having teased their aspirations to have a political party wing, Il-Kollet- tiv's strategy could prove effec- tive in the long run as it works to create solid community ties from where key electoral candi- dates could emerge who enjoy a great deal of local support. In fact, such political activity is attracting individuals from different backgrounds (includ- ing those with red and blue al- liances) who are recognising that effective mobilisation can be done that goes beyond PN and PL. The Zammit Lupi effect At a local government level, an interesting development from this year's local council elections is not just that the PL lost a number of seats despite its victory by 20,000 votes, but also that ADPD won two coun- cil seats, with leader Sandra Gauci only needing to inherit a few votes to get elected on the St Paul's Bay council, and Ralph Cassar being re-elected on the Attard council. Perhaps this result was ADPD's high- light for this year, after a frus- trating EP result that saw them get just over 3,000 first count votes in all, less than half of what the former Greens leader Cassola obtained. Another important achieve- ment in the local elections was the 'Zammit Lupi effect' in Ħaż-Żebbug, with mother and son getting elected as inde- pendent candidates. It remains to be seen to what extent such independent councillors (and a number of other independ- ents who were elected in other localities) can prove effective and remain visible, instilling in people the idea that politics be- yond PN-PL is indeed possible. Fragmentation One also wonders whether the struggles of 'third parties' to make significant in-roads in the Maltese political envi- ronment can be attributed to rifts and unfruitful disagree- ments between factions within the progressive, centre-left and left front. Such fragmentation could serve more as a barrier to effective intervention within the political scene rather than representing diversification and plurality in candidatures. Ultimately, having a coherent strategy is more important to obtaining power than individu- al initiatives. Which is why the recent announcement of a new political party which is calling itself progressive (Partit Malta Progressiva), with centre-left liberal leanings and which claims to being more than just another small party, could be an interesting development. It remains to be seen what role, if any, figures like Casso- la, Borg Manchè, Cyrus Enger- er and the Zammit Lupis, as well as other individuals from Il-Kollettiv and possibly AD- PD, will play within this polit- ical party. Though surely it would be a missed opportunity if allianc- 2025: A shaken duopoly... but will Kurt Borg What to expect in 2025 Labour co-option A new face is expected in parliament as the new year rolls over. The Prime Minister is set to co-opt a replacement for the seat that will be vacated by government MP Randolph de Battista, who was appointed ambassador to various international organisations in Geneva. MaltaToday reported that two individuals were promised the seat. Sources suggest that Prime Minister Robert Abela has shortlisted Nigel Vella and Yana Borg Debono Grech. Vella, a former ministry spokesperson in the Home Affairs Ministry, could help boost the PL's popularity in the First District. Meanwhile, Borg Debono Grech is the Labour Party's most popular candidate in the Birkirkara council. She is the third generation of her family to enter politics with the Labour Party, being the daughter of former Birkirkara mayor Joanne Debono Grech and the granddaughter of former PL MP and minister Joe Debono Grech. Sources have suggested that Borg Debono Grech's co-option could be a strategic move by Abela to strengthen ties with her family, who maintain strong support among Labour voters in the locality. Malta Vision 2050 In 2050, the government will unveil its long-term socio-economic plan, Malta Vision 2050. The plan will serve as a framework for the country's economic, social, and environmental development, with a focus on priority areas such as digital innovation, infrastructure, education, health, sustainability, and labour market demographics. The plan is expected to address the challenges posed by climate change, technological advancements, demographic shifts, population growth, and the evolving dynamics of international markets. Little is known about the specific contents of the plan or whether it will effectively tackle the issues it seeks to resolve. A key component of the plan will be aligning Malta with the EU's climate neutrality target for 2050, a central objective of the European Green Deal. New traffic measures The first quarter of 2025 is expected to see decisions being made regarding measures to reduce traffic congestion across Malta. In November 2024, Transport Minister Chris Bonett announced several proposals that would be discussed by stakeholders. At the time, he stated that the government would begin implementing the measures in 2025 after the consultation process concludes. The goal is to complete the implementation within 18 months. It remains unclear which specific targets will be rolled out in the coming year. 12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 DECEMBER 2024 2025 LOOKING FORWARD