Paul Borg Olivier
When we came to decide what kind of campaign we should run for the European Parliament election on June 6, we couldn’t but draw certain conclusions from the first European Parliament election in 2004 and decide accordingly.
The facts emanating from the 2004 European Parliament election were mainly that:
• turnout in the European Parliament election of 2004 (82%) was more than 10 percentage points lower than the 2003 General Election (96%) or the 2008 General Elections (93%);
• small parties did much better in the European Parliament election, getting 12% altogether, than in the previous and following general elections when they got 1% and 2% respectively;
• the 2004 result rewarded the candidates (of whatever party) that were perceived to be most knowledgeable about, and experienced in, the European Union.
These facts show that:
• electors are rational and distinguish between European and General Elections.
• they know this is not a general election and vote accordingly; thus, a general-election-type campaign is inappropriate;
• we had to run a positive campaign on what Maltese MEPs can do in the European Parliament for Malta; and
• we had to concentrate on the candidates in this particular election.
First of all, we have chosen knowledgeable and experienced candidates coming from all walks of life who represent the diversity of interests even a small country like Malta is bound to have. I firmly believe that the PN candidates are the best team on the ballot sheet. We have sought to present to the electorate credible, capable and consistent candidates.
The PN campaign theme and manifesto concentrates on the most crucial issue for Malta right now in the midst of an international recession that has produced depressing international news for the last few months. Jobs and growth are what we have focused and talked about in this campaign. A positive message about our economy and about the prospects for young people and workers. Even though it was tempting to paint an extremely bleak picture of what’s happening abroad, we have consciously maintained this positive message that emphasises and supports confidence, keeping a particular focus on what can be done in practical terms in the European Parliament.
Our campaign did not lose sight of the general context of this campaign and its aftermath. The government of the country cannot stop and decisions cannot be put on hold. It’s quite the opposite: local initiatives being taken by our national government now will determine how our economy will be doing after the worst of the international recession is over.
The rough and tumble of politics means that part (but only part) of our campaign had to point out Labour’s inconsistencies on the EU, and its pressing the wrong buttons in the European Parliament on most important issues. Our campaign also addresses Labour’s boarding the xenophobic bandwagon – something even Alfred Sant had resisted.
During the campaign, we have given our candidates the best opportunity to explain what they want to achieve in the European Parliament. We wanted to give the best opportunity to our Party and its candidates the chance to engage more in debate with the Labour Party and its candidates. Unfortunately, Labour opposed this tooth and nail. In the end we managed to convince the Broadcasting Authority, prevailing over Labour’s opposition, to organise a few set of debates. However, and overall, Labour kept its candidates mum in all other fora.
This campaign will, of course, be decided and commented upon in the light of the eventual result. The PN ran a campaign putting forward a positive message centred round the creation of jobs and growth as a result of Malta’s membership to the European Union in 2004. It is a campaign fully focused on our 10 candidates and what they can do for Malta in the European Parliament.
It is a campaign design for European Parliamentary elections reaching out to the electorate to chose their best representative Euopre. We have presented the best team with the best policies to achieve the best results for Malta and our people.
Paul Borg Olivier is secretary general of the Nationalist Party
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