The people have spoken. The cumulative effect of their individual decisions was a loud and meaningful message to all those who are interested to listen.
For a long time, the people were called upon to choose a government rather than to decide on an issue. The country is set on a course and they needed to choose the team that would be best suited to push the fortunes of this country forward at a fast pace. They could listen to the media’s exposition of the merits and demerits of the formations that were presenting themselves to curry favour with the electorate.
It is true that the sound coming from the media was sometimes a cacophony of distorted facts and manipulative propaganda which sounded good for the ears of the fanatics on both sides, but which was totally discordant to those who were trying to make an objective decision.
They could analyse the argument that Malta should start the experience of coalition governments which, it was being said, would curtail the power of government and would give a louder voice to the people. This argument was again discarded by the electorate and only a few thousand showed support to this position.
A much bigger number decided to stay away from the polls. This is the first big message that we draw from the election of two weeks ago. Why did so many voters decide to stay away and not vote?
Was it because they perceived the two bigger parties embroiled in very much the same tactics and therefore could have thought that any one elected would not make any difference?
Was it because they were disenchanted by the party that they supported before but were not persuaded to change allegiance to the other party?
Was it because they had a grievance against the party that they supported in previous elections and wanted to make a statement by showing that they have withheld their support this time around?
Was it because they wanted insurance in case their party lost the election and an unused voting document would be proof that they had abandoned their traditional party?
All these reasons and more kept more than 10,000 Maltese citizens away from the polling booths.
Those that voted for the two bigger parties were split down the middle with a hairline difference in favour of the Nationalist Party. The people decided not to give a majority to either grouping. And this is the second big lesson that we get from the electoral exercise.
Why did the Nationalist Party lose its majority?
Why did the Labour Party not manage to attract a majority of voters to show their trust in it?
Those of us who trudged along our electoral districts meeting thousands of people and listening to their stories and opinions have some answers which will differ from district to district. This should be the theme of a very interesting debate within the party structures when they decide to make an objective analysis of the result.
The Nationalist Party will be determining the corrective action necessary to ensure that the problems revealed by the feedback of the electorate during the campaign are addressed both at the level of party administration and at the level of government. The Prime Minister has already taken the first steps when he announced the cabinet to set up an organisation that should be more results orientated, transparent and coordinated.
The Labour Party needs to mine very deep and discover the ethos that would make it electable. They will be going through the choice of a new leader. They must understand that they need to re-orientate themselves and their faithful towards a set of values that are constructive rather than destructive, inclusive rather than exclusive and that can persuade many Maltese to identify themselves with them. Choosing a new leader can go some way towards this reform – if the party machine does not interfere to crown someone who would guarantee their perpetuation rather than who would give the Party a breath of fresh air.
I augur them well.
I would like to thank all those who helped me during the short campaign. I would also like to thank all those who showed solidarity with me and last but not least those who supported me with their vote. Thank you.

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John Dalli is Minister of Social Policy