Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/832512
22 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 4 JUNE 2017 Opinion Things will never be the same again I t has been an intense electoral campaign. Way back in 2013, no one would have guessed that Joseph Muscat would call an election a year ahead of schedule. Grave allegations of corruption led Muscat to call a snap election. The Nationalist Party joined forces with Partit Demokratiku, led by former Labour MP Marlene Farrugia and her partner, former Labour whip Godfrey Farrugia. On its part, Labour's campaign, in contrast to the 2013 campaign, targeted the Labour core vote. The undecided Polls consistently showed a high percentage of undecided voters and others who refused to reveal their voting intentions. Labour remained a clear favourite, whilst Muscat's trust rating was always higher than that of his rival. But the outcome of the election depends largely on how voters who claim to be undecided will be voting. Do-or-die Joseph Muscat, a darling of the independent media in 2013, demonstrated his inability to deal with a hostile press. Hounded by journalists asking pertinent questions about his administration's shady dealings, he escaped through emergency exit doors, and sought refuge in Labour's strongholds, appealing to his grass roots not to give him the boot, promising them that 'the best is yet to come'. Government ministries went into overdrive dishing hundreds of government jobs to 'disgruntled' Labour supporters. In a functioning democracy, it would be a classic case of corrupt practices. But this was a do-or- die election for Muscat and his closest aides. An election which they couldn't afford to lose. A PL victory A Labour victory this morning, may well be a short lived one for Joseph Muscat. He, and his closest aides, are under magisterial investigations. If any of them are found guilty, Muscat would have to step down. If he stays, his own party will finish him off. Another snap election would be called. That would wreak havoc to Malta's economy. No, a Muscat victory this morning, which may well be the case, will usher in uncertainty, not a golden era as Muscat would want us, and may have persuaded the majority, to believe. A PL defeat According to the polls, a Labour defeat is unlikely. But if it happens, by the time you're reading this article Muscat would have already cleared the table. It would be a text book case of the rise and fall of a political leader and a catastrophic failure for Muscat. A Labour defeat would of course be a painful process for well-meaning Labourites. But the chances are that Labour won't be out in the wilderness for a long time. Muscat, Mizzi and Schembri would go and a new leader would take his place. Miriam Dalli, Chris Fearne and Edward Zammit Lewis are clear favourites. A PN victory If the Nationalist Party wins it would be a historic win for the party, but especially for Simon Busuttil. He would have turned the tables after less than five years – having started with a deficit of 36,000 votes. Busuttil would have the daunting task of restoring Malta's bad reputation thanks to Muscat, Mizzi and Schembri. He would be well advised to surround himself with the right people who are, unfailingly, in touch with peoples' needs and aspirations. Failure to do so would lessen his party's chances of re-election. For a Nationalist Party victory would demonstrate, in no uncertain terms, that people have no qualms to vote you out if you fail to live up to their expectations. A PN defeat If the polls are correct, Labour will secure a second term. But a Labour victory shall not be the end for Simon Busuttil at the helm of the Nationalist Party. For no one would have imagined, way back in 2013, that Muscat would suffer a defeat at his first outing as Prime Minister. In terms of performance, Simon Busuttil rose to the occasion in a grand manner, despite being written off by many when he took helm of the Nationalist Party. Busuttil built a momentum strong enough to throw away Muscat at the next general election, which explains why Muscat is demanding Busuttil's post- electoral resignation. Yesterday's man Many a 'switcher', who trusted Muscat in 2013, expressed their disappointment with his government. If their anger at Muscat is as deep as it appears then Muscat will lose. If not, Muscat will walk back to Castille tomorrow morning. But things will never be the same again for a second term Joseph Muscat. There is a feeling, regardless of what happens today, that he is already yesterday's man. If the Nationalist Party wins it would be a historic win for the party, but especially for Simon Busuttil Frank Psaila There is a feeling, regardless of what happens today, that Muscat is already yesterday's man This was a do-or-die election for Muscat and his closest aides. An election which they couldn't afford to lose