Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544723
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 MAY 2026 ELECTION 2026 OPINION Economist JP Fabri Before proposals, we need a dream ELECTION campaigns have a predict- able rhythm. The moment an election is called, political parties move quickly into announcement mode. Within days, we begin hearing promises about tax cuts, subsidies, infrastructure projects, social benefits, planning reforms, edu- cation measures, and a growing list of commitments aimed at capturing public attention. The proposals come fast, the head- lines come faster, and the political de- bate often becomes a contest of who can promise more, spend more, or announce more. Yet in all this activity, I cannot help but feel that we often skip the most important part of democratic choice. Before asking what political leaders want to do, we should first be asking what kind of country they want to build. This may sound abstract but in reality, it is the most practical question of all. Nations are not transformed by isolat- ed proposals. They are transformed by shared aspirations. The countries that manage to build resilient institutions, competitive economies, cohesive soci- eties, and a strong sense of identity do not begin with policy announcements. They begin by answering a deeper ques- tion: Who are we, and who do we want to become? This is precisely why Malta's Vision 2050 deserves recognition. It begins not with individual measures, but with a fundamental question about the kind of life we want for the people of this country, today and for generations to come. It places quality of life, resilience, opportunity, and long-term wellbeing at the centre of national development. It reminds us that the true measure of national success is not simply how fast the economy grows, but how well people actually live. That is a powerful starting point. Yet as this election campaign begins, I worry that we are once again falling into a fa- miliar pattern. We are hearing proposals before hearing dreams. Politics, especially in election season, has a tendency to reduce leadership to transactions. A country cannot build its next 25 years through disconnected announcements. It must first build a shared understanding of where it wants to go. This is not idealism. It is strategic logic. If we look at nations that have success- fully reinvented themselves, we see the same pattern. Transformation begins with aspiration. It begins with a collec- tive story about what the country wants to stand for. Only then do policies, budg- ets, institutions, and reforms follow. Malta itself already acknowledges this in Vision 2050. The document describes a national ambition for Malta to become "a safe and resilient nation, inspired by heritage and driven by progress, foster- ing a healthy quality of life for all." It is built around pillars such as sustainable economic growth, people-centred ser- vices, modern education, resilience, and smarter use of land and sea. More im- portantly, it recognises that the future cannot be shaped by short-term isolated solutions, but by long-term thinking that places people's wellbeing at the heart of national decision-making. But a vision document on its own is not enough. It must be continuously brought to life through public debate, political leadership, and societal own- ership. Elections should be one of the most important moments for that con- versation. Instead of asking parties what they are offering, perhaps we should first ask them what they believe Malta can be- come over the next generation. What is their aspiration for this country? What does success look like beyond econom- ic growth? What kind of society do they want our children to inherit? How do they define progress? What role should identity, heritage, innovation, sustaina- bility, health, trust, and community play in Malta's future? These are not soft questions. They are foundational questions. Without them, policy becomes reactive. Governments become tactical. Politics becomes trans- actional. And nations risk becoming busy without becoming better. When I think about the Malta we should aspire to, I do not immediately think about isolated proposals. I think about a Malta that chooses wellbeing as a measure of national success, not sim- ply output. I think about a Malta where mobility is designed around people, not traffic. I think about a Malta that builds an education system preparing young people not only for jobs, but for life. I think about a Malta that becomes a home for innovation, creativity, and en- trepreneurship, while remaining deeply connected to its heritage and identity. I think about a Malta where housing restores dignity, where environmental stewardship becomes a source of pride, and where trust in institutions becomes one of our greatest national assets. These aspirations are not detached from reality. In many ways, they reflect the same themes that emerged from the public consultations behind Vision 2050. The Maltese people are not simply looking for policies. They are looking for direction. They are looking for meaning. They are looking for leadership that connects today's decisions with tomor- row's legacy. This is why aspirations matter in elec- tions. They provide the lens through which proposals can be judged. Once we know what kind of Malta we want to build, then we can ask the harder ques- tions. Does this policy move us closer to that future? Does this investment reflect our values? Does this reform strengthen our long-term competitiveness, cohesion, and resilience? Only then can politics mature. As this campaign unfolds, I hope we re- sist the temptation to jump straight into the marketplace of promises. Before we debate proposals, let us debate aspira- tions. Before we discuss spending, let us discuss purpose. Because in the end, nations are not built by promises alone but by people who dare to dream clearly enough to shape the future around that dream.