Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/655581
13 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 MARCH 2016 Are 'floaters' seeking a new party to smash the duopoly? PAUL Vincenti, whose anti-abortion lobby has in the past campaigned for a constitutional entrenchment of the crime of abortion, may be on the look-out for a new political outlet. At least that's as far as can be gleaned from a closed Facebook group he set up to seek debate on a new Christian faith- based conservation political group. Such is the feeling in the country as Panamagate ushered in a new wave of disillusionment with the political class: the third party bug is in the air. "In a the future we will organize a seminar on 'The Christian Vote in Malta'," Vincenti said on Face- book. "It will be open to all those who feel it is time to become a re- spected voice in Maltese politics again." And in an earlier post: "The next politician to claim they are in fa- vour of everything and everyone, will get my boot thrown at them. We need politicians with clear moral convictions based upon conscience and not on opinions. The new generation of leaders need to be willing to stand up and take the flack for being truthful and upright in their convictions." Clearly, it is something that oth- ers, even though not faith-inclined, are looking for. Green party chairman Arnold Cassola feels the next election is a unique chance for Alternattiva Demokratika to make inroads with the disillusioned elec- torate. "30% of the public don't trust ei- ther Joseph Muscat or Simon Busuttil," Cassola said, citing MaltaToday's survey. "The public aspiration for a third po- litical party is also on the rise, providing very fertile ground for AD [which] must make its presence felt on the ground now more than ever, and keep its eyes and ears open to see what the public want." However, only 1.3% of the electorate intend to vote for AD, up from 0.8% in February. Cassola blames the electoral system and lack of media coverage for his party. "The electoral system favours a two-party sys- tem, and AD are often not given space on the media to air its views as the two large parties do." But Cassola adds that AD is also coali- tion-minded, saying the party would join forces with like-minded groups: pro-EU, good governance, pro-environment and political consistency, and against racism and xenophobia. "The people are now fed up with how the PN and PL both desire absolute power, with how they seize the entire country's assets – from BOV to the water services – whenever they get elected." Independent MP Marlene Farrugia also appealed to the Labour Party to re- turn to the "political force" it was before the 2013 election. "The Labour movement was essen- tially a new party, a fresh political force that was supposed to represent every- body at all times. Malta Taghna Lkoll. It was a new party that promised a new and clean style of governance that had sprung up when the people needed it most. If this political force manages to renew itself, then everyone will realize what the party's true intentions are," she said. Farrugia, who resigned from the PL in November in protest at the proposed MEPA demerger, argued that Labour's electoral manifesto had incorporated a vast chunk of green party Alternattiva Demokratika's political ideology. "The people already voiced their sup- port for AD's ideology, but didn't sup- port AD itself because the Constitution renders it very difficult for smaller par- ties to get elected." TV presenter Salvu Mallia lashed out at the electoral system, describing it as a "rigged dictator- ship" designed so that elections would always be won by either the PL or the PN. "Before we can even speak about the need for a third party, we must change the anti-democratic electoral system," he said. "The system gives a voice and power to parties that already have them, whereas democracies should seek to empower those without a voice." He said that every party or indi- vidual candidate must be given an equal platform, regardless of the positions they endorse. "Some will say stupid things while oth- ers will speak professionally, but in a de- mocracy it is important that the public gets to hear them all before making a choice." He questioned why people have re- cently praised him for his "courage" and "guts" after he criticised the government over the Panamagate scandal. "All I did was voice my opinion, as was my duty. Does disagreeing with the Prime Minister or the Opposition leader mean that I have guts? This goes back to the crux of my argument; if we weren't living in a dictatorship, then people wouldn't be praised for having guts whenever they disagree with people in power." to the PN while the PL retains 7,000-8,000. Still the majority of switchers (17,000-18,000) are either undecided or would not vote. This calculation does not account for new voters in 2013, who could constitute a proportion of La- bour's 36,000 strong majority. In the absence of significant gains among new voters and traditional Labour voters, to win the election the PN needs to win back 18,000 switchers. And even that could turn out to be not enough if the PL wins the bulk of new vot- ers. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt It was the Gaffarena scandal which broke Muscat's spell and which pushed a significant section of switchers to the PN Joseph Muscat Simon Busuttil None Don't know July 2013 66.6% 9.5% 14.3% 9.5% December 2013 56.5% 8.7% 21.7% 13.1% March 2014 63.6% 9.1% 9.1% 18.2% 13 April 2014 68.4% 5.2% 10.6% 15.8% 2 May 2014 66.6% 11.1% 11.1% 11.1% 11 May 2014 68.4% 5.3% 21.1% 5.2% 18 May 2014 39.4% 12.1% 30.3% 18.2% January 2015 57.6% 18.2% 15.1% 9.1% March 2015 55.9% 8.8% 13.3% 16.1% June 2015 45.8% 29.2% 12.5% 12.5% October 2015 50% 27.3% 22.7% 0 January 2016 47.2% 25% 22.2% 5.6% February 2016 38.8% 27.8% 22.2% 11.2% March 2016 23.4% 26.5% 41.2% 8.9% How switchers' trust in leaders changed since 2013 Muscat is now trusted by 23.4% of switchers, compared to 67% in July 2013, but the majority of switchers in the latest survey (41.2%) trust neither leader very fertile ground for News