Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544871
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 MAY 2026 OPINION Cajetan Schembri Let Nifs Gdid mean a new democracy for Malta AN OPEN LETTER TO ALEX BORG: Dear Dr Borg, As you embark on this pivot- al campaign under the banner Nifs Ġdid (A Fresh Start), your message has yet to resonate with a segment of the electorate that is weary of the "us and them" mentality. This is reflected in the historically high percentage of voters (20%) who decided not to vote for either of the major parties in the last election. These potential voters want change but are wary of the inex- perienced politicians surround- ing you, and of the possibility of returning to those times of austerity which the last, deep- ly unpopular, Nationalist gov- ernment was associated with. There is also the issue of, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" meaning that, although the Labour gov- ernment is not loved due to its many transgressions, it is still re- spected in view of the economic bonanza delivered by successive administrations on the back of a booming economy. Hence, there is still a lack of a compelling nar- rative that convinces non-voters to actually go out and vote for a change. You have rightly pointed out that politics should be about all of us as Maltese and Gozitan sib- lings, not a tribal battleground. However, to truly breathe new life into our nation, we must address the structural engine of that tribalism—our electoral system. The current single transferable vote (STV) system, while his- torically significant, has evolved into a mechanism that sustains a rigid duopoly. It forces vot- ers into a binary choice, stifling the growth of third parties and contributing to the record-high rates of non-voting and politi- cal disaffection we see today. If the PN is truly "ready to listen", it must be ready to lead on the issue of democratic inclusivity. The proposal: A referendum on the d'Hondt System This is the reason why I am proposing that you incorporate a bold, transformative pledge into the Nationalist Party's elector- al manifesto. A commitment to hold a national referendum on transitioning from the STV sys- tem to the d'Hondt system. Moving to a d'Hondt-based proportional representation system would represent a seis- mic shift toward a constructive, multipolar political environ- ment. A successful vote would shame the putative Labour Opposition into extending the necessary support to see such a constitutional amendment pass through parliament. By lowering the barriers for smaller parties and independent voices, the d'Hondt system en- courages a politics of persuasion rather than a politics of confron- tation. It forces the major parties to seek common ground and build coalitions based on ideas rather than identity. It also in- creases the possibility of taking difficult decisions (such as on transport and environment) in the national interest by enabling the development of a non-zero- sum game political environment where open discussion is the norm, political parties look be- yond the narrow five year elec- toral horizon and where they actually share, and not shirk, responsibility for the short-term effects of such decisions. A multipolar parliament is not a recipe for instability; it is a safeguard for accountability. It ensures that the government of the day represents a genuine majority of the people's will, not just the larger of two blocks. Why this is in your interest as leader The non-voter is often a voter who feels their voice is mathe- matically irrelevant in a two-par- ty squeeze. Proving that you are willing to change the rules of the game to make their vote count would offer a powerful symbol of hope. Taking this challenge would distinguish your leadership as truly transcendent. By offering the electorate the power to de- cide their own democratic fu- ture via a referendum, you would demonstrate that your 'Fresh Start' isn't just a slogan. It would also be a signal to floating voters and non-voters that the PN is no longer afraid of competition, but welcomes a diverse marketplace of ideas. Finally, you would be seen as the real deal and not holding back from proposing a system that might theoretically make it harder for a single party to gain an absolute majority. It would show that you are truly putting the national interest above the party's immediate tactical ad- vantage. It could also be expect- ed, however, that smaller parties and non-voters see it in their interest to support you in this contest, regarding it as a historic opportunity to change the rules of the game to a more equitable basis. This could possibly lead to a dramatic and unexpected victo- ry against the odds in view of the current administration's finan- cial track record and power of incumbency. The moment of truth You have called this election a "moment of truth". The truth is that many Maltese citizens feel locked out of their own democ- racy. They are waiting for a lead- er who has the courage to break the mould. I urge you sincerely to take this challenge, which would be in the interest of the nation. It would also help ignite your campaign with new vibrancy and enthu- siasm as a true movement tran- scending partisan politics, un- like the bogus movements of the past, which were always framed within the current bipartisan framework. It is time for a truly European democracy in Malta. Let the PN take this responsi- bility as the next logical step in Malta's political evolution after EU accession. This would be the PN's new historic contribution to Malta's development and let the PN shine once again as a vi- sionary Eurocentric movement close to the people and a beacon of hope that inspires people to believe in change once again. The time for "blue vs red" is over. It is time for a Malta of many colours, working together for the common good to face the difficult challenges ahead. Let the people decide. The time for "blue vs red" is over. It is time for a Malta of many colours, working together for the common good to face the difficult challenges ahead