I dread elections, I dread counting halls. They remind of the long nights when I too was a candidate. I was a very reluctant candidate.
The waiting literally killed me, not because I expected miracles at the polls, but because of the tension and animosity in the Ta’Qali asbestos ridden counting hall. As the waiting prolonged, the unbearable stench of sweat and aroma of body oils and wind filled the bad air in the halls.
It continued with the indescribable banging on the Perspex by angry canvassers and the party faithful. And then there was the verbal abuse and the sniggers all around.
But democracy is also a wonderful concession that allows one to feel – for a very brief moment – the power in one’s hands. It is time you can choose between the man or woman of your choice, and some do it with gusto.
This election has been significant for the dependence on the new media – the Internet – that have accompanied the PN’s and MLP’s campaigns. And the blogs, too.
It has also seen new styles in campaigning: noticeably (or rather impossible to ignore) the quasi-presidential campaign by Gonzi, with the emphasis on the persona, the charisma and the man’s personal record.
Indeed Gonzi had a far more impressive campaign than Alfred Sant. But Sant had the more potent armoury, which was hidden and unleashed at the very last moment.
In the past, corruption was not something that touched the hearts of Maltese. In 1987 with all the rampant corruption and abuse of power – surely of no magnitude compared to the cases of today – the PN won by a mere 4,000 votes.
After years of violence, demagoguery and a police state, the PN won only by a small majority.
In the last 20 years, the PN’s commitment to changing the country was proven by the changes in the economic well being, the conversion of a central controlled economy to a market economy and more importantly in the entry of Malta into the European Union.
But throughout these years they failed to notice the writing on the wall. In moving ahead, they centralised the decision making process and limited it to the same small group of “yes men”.
The main concern was – and, I guess, will remain with whoever gets elected today – the disenfranchising of half of the population.
It varied from anything to ambassadorships to university rectors to public broadcasting chairmen to legal advisors to accountancy firms… and though there are always one or two exceptions, there is little doubt in my mind that most people who were capable but had a political flavour were excluded from this grand project.
It did not stop here. The malaise continued with the assertion that things would change with a re-elected PN government, when things did not change when there was a change in leadership in 2004. It was the saddest part of the last four years.
Okay, there were changes when it came to fiscal dealings and management and the Mater Dei question; but on other fronts the perception and reality were not far apart.
To foment this image, we had Alfred Sant. He has hung on to power despite his abysmal changes in policy change; on European Union membership, on VAT and so on.
His ability to wreak havoc with the Nationalist’s grand project should not be underestimated, and if elected he will have to prove himself.
The problem with Sant does not lie with his long history of changing policy direction, but rather with his rather unimpressive entourage.
Yet, in the Maltese psyche, the “democratic deficit” preached ad nauseam by Sant may have worked better than ever. He has also been supported by destiny. The first issue is the fact that the PN has been in power for over 20 years; then more significantly, comes the fact that we are now in the European Union as full members and this helps erase many of the excessive fears that came with the autarky and isolation of Old Labour.
But beyond this, there is little to prove that the mistakes committed by the Nationalist government will not be repeated by Alfred Sant.
That is to say, if there is even a change…
I would find it also very unlikely or rather impossible for the Greens or AN to make it this time round. Though the Greens have had a wonderful sympathy card for their campaign, played gratis for them by the PN.
The fact that the last two decades has failed to map out a solution for electoral reform for extending representation to smaller parties is an indictment on both major political parties. Whoever wins, must learn from the past.
In 1998, when Fenech Adami won thanks to the unsurprising tantrums of Dom Mintoff, he missed a golden opportunity to turn round and transform the future of Maltese politics.
He did this in 1987 when he refused to respond to the taunts of his hotheads that it was payback time. Many pre-1987 offenders were forgiven and reintegrated, with the exception of one or two scapegoats.
In 1998, Fenech Adami could have reformed the policy of political appointments; addressed the issue of electoral reform; changed public broadcasting; took steps on the issue of party financing, and worked on delineating a very clear line between government and party. But he had other things on his mind.
The next prime minister would fail if he did not address these issues for the benefit of coming generations. The fear in politics, is that the winner takes all and the loser un bel zero…. I am afraid I do not see this changing.
The pressure on political leaders to do away with the bigger picture and get on with dishing out of the goodies will possibly predominate the next coming days. I am in not hopeful for the future. I joked with my colleagues the other day, that we could plan the tabloidish poster for Monday’s issue: it would simply read: WE ARE F*****!
Common decency precludes us from doing this.
I am afraid I do not see a political leader with the vision to make such changes.
Even though, it is really this society that needs to change. It needs to become more conscious of the bigger picture and realise that the real breakthrough will only come when the issue of meritocracy is tackled and nepotism trashed. Beyond that, we also need to extend democracy beyond our normal understanding of representation.
The role of the independent media The role of the media in this campaign has not been small. We were conscious of our role in this campaign and our role in not taking sides. We did this fully conscious of the risks such a policy brings with it.
But this will not stop us from continuing with our work to serve as a watchdog for our readers. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that our readers receive a true picture of events; one that is presented not in the fashion or style that politicians wish it to be presented, but in the manner that our discerning readers expect it to be.
In the last weeks, we have experienced many cases of intransigence and intolerance to our commentaries and reports.
There are politicians who cannot understand the role of the free press and who expect the press to be a mirror of their statements and press releases. And who believe that questions related to their business interest, lifestyle and their actions are off limits to reporters, when it is only too clear that their actions are in conflict with their words and deeds, and (if in existence) their ideology.
This newspaper and its sister newspapers, Illum, MaltaToday Midweek and Business Today have been a success story because they have been in synch with the mood.
In the future as we see politics converge at the centre; as we see the Americanisation of politics augment; as we see more emphasis on management rather than on ideology; a new opposition will emerge. That opposition is the independent media. It will stand for election, it will make promises and it will not dish out favours.
The new media will probe and question, and we promise to do this with whoever enters Castille on Monday. As we progress into the next decade, the probing will be tougher and more direct.
Our commitment is to make our newspapers a mirror of our readers’ concerns and their concerns faithfully reflected in our editorials and writings.
Stay with us for the next five years, we commit ourselves to stay with our readers and play the role we have always played.
TO KEEP UPDATED HOOK ON TO ELECTION UPDATE AND REFRESH FOR THE LATEST UPDATES
COMMENTS
03/10/08 2:39 PM,
Louis Grech
Dr. Micheal Vella Haber
George Abela
Jekk dawn ikunu lesti imexxu il-lejber flimkien jien nahseb li jirnexxu.
Importanti hafna min ha jmexxi il-partit Laburista irid ikun kompatibli ghal xulxin, (li f`din l-elezjoni derhet li ma kienetx tezisti kollox artificjali) inkella inutli isiru izjed elezjonijiet f` dan il-pajjiz ghax kollha il-partit nazzjonalista jirbahhom.
Ghalikom.
Sahha.
03/10/08 2:23 PM,
Viva l-lejber, viva il-lejber hey hey.
:D
ex laburist.
Issa irrid nara min ha jkun hemm mhux billi Dr. Sant irrezenja, jekk min jitla minnfloku ma jaghmilx politika serja fuq punti semplici jien darb`ohra nikkunsidra li lanqas biss nivvota ghalkemm dik nara jien u jien biss.
Viva d-demokrazija.
Dik veru par idejn veru sodi.
Grazzi.
03/10/08 9:23 AM,
qed inhoss ghalik siehbi. Ma nafx xnaqbad nghidlek iktar
03/10/08 8:03 AM,
x'jinsew jinsew... dak kemm se nins jien il-kanna li bellawli tal-Labour!
03/10/08 7:13 AM,
ghamel bhal Jason man, ahrab!! sparixi ghal ftit sakem jinsew
03/10/08 7:11 AM,
Jiena ghadni nara min fejn se nsib il-flus li tlift minhabba li emmint lil dawk l-erba cwiec li bellghuieli li l-Labour se jirbah b'iktar minn 20 elf!
Cuc jiena wkoll ghax emintkom!
Ghidulu prosit lil Jason tal-pjanti. Ahjar jerga jtieha ghall-agrikoltura, ghax ghalhekk biss jinqala'.
Jiena issa li tlift somma sewwa, rrid nra x'se naghmel!
03/10/08 6:31 AM, Jason's Micallef 9th March
Time 0930 (3 hours before counting the votes) - source times online:
“Jason Micallef a couple of hours before election started said that he was very happy with the way things were going and he confirmed that he expected the winning party to have an absolute majority, but did not wish to say more at this stage.” Results in many MLP supporters pouring into the streets and starting celebrations.
At around 1500 (aprox. 1 and 1/2 hours into counting) - source All local Tv stations:
“Where is Jason Micallef?” Results in MLP followers still celebrating in the streets perplexed.
At around 22:30 (very few votes left to count) - source one news:
From an underground bunker many kilometres underground Jason addresses MLP supporters that “the samples are showing a head to head race, with no one in advantage.” Results in MLP supporters not giving up and stay awake until 0300 when a brave and lonely M.Falzon (the abandoned general of the lions of change army) has to concede defeat and send MLP supporters to bed.
Should Jason get the boot? Should he be sent back to farming? Or should he be given another chance and keep farming on MLP followers’ brains?
WHERE IS JASON?
P.S. any people with info regarding his whereabouts before, during and after the time-period mentioned above are urged to contribute. Thanks!!
03/10/08 5:17 AM,
kemm hxiekhom tajjeb alfred sant ... 16 il sena ta dizappunti u issa dawwar denbu halliekhom hemm ghal 5 snin ohra fil purgatorju
Grazzi AS. Sincerament ma nafx x int tippretendi li janalizza l MLP ghax il falliment taghkhom huwa propju AS. Ma tridx gherf biex tasal ghaliha din. Grazzi mill gdid.
03/10/08 5:03 AM,
have fun...
03/10/08 5:01 AM,
I am going to take your advice.Thanks. See you in about three weeks time as I'll be away from our beautiful Island for about 19 days.
Enjoy.
03/10/08 4:57 AM,
I suggest to you and people like you that for now you don't write comments.
Because they are so full of anger that they are not expressing your true feelings. Meditate for a couple of days and don't say much until you calm down. I know it's not easy with others celebrating, but they are also celebrating in everyone's name. Because Malta made a big victory!!
03/10/08 4:49 AM,
Dr Sant irrezinja u kieku m'ghamelx hekk min jaf kemm kont tghajjru li mhux demokratiku. Urik kif u ghallmek kif tkun id-demokrazija. Anke lil min ghallmek tkun ahdar fil-politika ukoll tah taghlima.Il-problema tieghek issa li nehhielek l-munizzjon kollu u l-'hdura' li ghandek se tibqalek fl-istonku.
Ifrah kemm trid izda l-partit tieghek u ta' 49% ohra bhalek irid dalwaqt ikollu jaghmel 'awtopsja politika' halli jara kif tilef dawk l-ghaxriet ta' elef ta' voti. Hekk ukoll titlob is-serjeta' ghaliex il-partit tal-PN jaf li ghandu 'emoragija' ta' voti u jaf ukoll li mpossibli iwettaq dawk il-weghdi ghax jaf li l-finanzi taghna m'humiex bizzejjed.
J'Alla iwettaqhom, ghaliex jien finanzjarjament qieghed hadida u nkompli nistaghna. Nispera li int mhux mejjet bil-guh. Fil-kas iqba' ivvota lil PN halli jien nkompli inhaxxen buti u wara ejja ghandi ghax ghandi minn fejn intik.
Sahhiet u ifrah (ghalkemm min hu f'sensih mhux bhalek). Izda bil-haqq hawn qawl li jghid li l-hmar(l-iblah) taqtghalu denbu, hmar jibqa'.
03/10/08 4:02 AM,
Charlemange = sucker of conspiracy theories. whahahahaaa
03/10/08 3:59 AM, Charlemagne
It Didn't need Dr Sant to tell me that as much as it didn't need Dr.Fenech Adami or Dr.Gonzi.That was my opinion then and it is even more so now. Perhaps you'd like to ask the peoples of Europe how they fell about the EU.
Maybe you should have a bit more pride about your country and not let outsiders run it for you for their benefit. As a vision it may be wonderful,in reality it is bound to fail,it's a Tower of Babel.
You are obviously welcome to your opinion,I'm just expressing mine!
03/10/08 3:37 AM,
Charlemagne = MAHRUQ HAHAHAHAHAAAAA
That was pre-accession talk that your sant use to scare us about. Now also he accpted it is not true.
Wahahahahaaaaa. Sant resigned wahahahaaa, about fff time...
03/10/08 3:10 AM, Charlemagne
at the end of the day..we are electing a local council..our sovereignty was lost some time ago, so that France and Germany can run Europe. Every other country is a minor irritant which is tolerated.
We sold our selves for pennies and 6 seats in a parliament of a thousand
Do not be over enthusiastic.
03/09/08 11:48 PM,
Issa wara li jghaddu ftit granet anke Gonzi u l-PN ghandhom x'jiddiskutu ghaliex ibqa' cert li l-anqas il-PN m'huma ferhana bil-verdett ghaliex ghall-ewwel darba se jmexxu l-gvern b'maggoranza relattiva, inqas minn 50%. Ghad hemm oppozizzjoni b'sahhitha b'nofs l-elettorat warajha.
Il-bicca xoghol tal-gvern hija kif se jwettaq il-weghdi fenominali li ghamel (u biex nghid kollox, jien mmur tajjeb hafna, hafna,) u ma jzidx taxxi. Tinsewx hemm id-deficit li sal-2010 wieghed li jispicca b'surplus.
Dan mhux cajt. Issa fi zmien ftit granet il-PN ghandu bicca xoghol impossibli biex iwettaq dawn il-'mirakli' kollha. Jaf li se jkun hemm nofs il-poplu, kif ukoll dawk li vvutawlu (li hafna minnhom jaqilghu u jikluha) li qeghdin hemm qishom seqer ghal 'qatla'.
Mill-bqija jifirhu r-rebbieha izda ma jidhirx li hemm telliefa.
Sahhiet lil kulhadd.
03/09/08 9:58 PM,
Kollox mitmum. The only way is OUT, lejber. OUT with Sant, jekk ma tghamlux hekk qatt mhu ser tirbhu.
03/09/08 4:37 PM, my predictions were:
my predictions
PN 49.8%
MLP 49%
AD 0.9%
AN 0.3%
Not that bad ;)
I said this when voting was half way through, I guess mine were the closest. They can be found under the march 6th commentry for those who doubt me. Another small personal satisfaction.
Grazzi MALTA!!!
03/09/08 10:51 AM,
JIen cempilt wiehed minn ta gewwa. Qalli sa ftit ilu PN kienu +1900 votes.
Issa il-mizien rega qabad tiela u niezel. Issa jiddependi liema huma l-ahhar distretti. Jekk hux tendenza nazzjonalista jew laburista.
03/09/08 10:41 AM,
Ghadhom kemm qalu fuq is-Super One li xx-aqliba qed taqleb lejn l-MLP
03/09/08 10:28 AM,
Please endeavor to create a national pressure through your papers which I've been reading since the very first issue for amendment to the constitution so that the 50%+1 entrenchment be revised to take note of present reality in our electoral multi-party system so that the prevailing injustice towards AD and other new parties be done with once and for all and minority voters will also have a say in our parliamentary affairs. I am sure with the goodwill of all parties (not necessarily just political parties but even especially civil society) involved, this matter should be solved once and for all and political maturity will prevail on this island of ours. i hope you will reflect in depth on this matter and contribute through your papers and even in your TV program perhaps by inviting real free thinkers to discuss this matter.
03/09/08 10:09 AM,
bis sahha ta harry se nitilghu fil gvern
wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
03/09/08 10:07 AM,
VIVA Cassola u Harry Vassallo hi!
Se jrebbhuna l-gvern u huma joqghodu man-nazzjonalisti fl-Oppozizzjoni.
Prosit Alternattiva VIVA MLP
03/09/08 10:00 AM,
Grazzi lil tal-AD se nirbhu l-Labour!
Viva Alfred Sant
Grazi Ad
03/09/08 9:19 AM, c
Skuzi jien ikkwotatjt al min ghal hekk ta!!! Jien ridt nuri car li mhux ha jkun ;) skuzani ta misinterpritazjoni.
03/09/08 9:04 AM,
VERU TNE**U biekom ta'centru issoltu wahda wara l-ohra photo copy ta kull elezzjoni
03/09/08 9:03 AM,
din min fejn gibta man?
03/09/08 9:02 AM,
Ir-raba sample ta rebha lil Labour. Hadd ma jista jghid
03/09/08 8:50 AM,
hahahahaha.
Idahakx c bla tikka!! Bhafna voti zgur li hadd mhu se jirbah. U jien ghandi dubji kbar kemm se jkun il lejber. hahahahahaaaaa
03/09/08 8:48 AM, c
'Il-Labour se jirbah... issa taraw. u b'hafna voti. mic-centru hekk qed jajdulna'
Ok.
03/09/08 8:45 AM,
serah mohhok ta....
03/09/08 8:41 AM,
Il-Labour se jirbah... issa taraw. u b'hafna voti. mic-centru hekk qed jajdulna
03/09/08 8:41 AM,
uuuu mela jirbah bi 30 elf mux b 20 elf!! u hallina... hargu jifirhu meta lanqas biss kinu adom infethu l kaxxi kollha.... issa naraw taqawx xi wahda ac cajt!! GONZIPN ejja ha nirbhu
03/09/08 8:26 AM,
fadal biex inkunu nafu sa xi 6
03/09/08 8:21 AM, analise
amiltuwa fatta bla ma adu hareg ir-rizultat anka hrigtu idoqu u telajtu il-bnadar bla ma adu xejn cert ghax vera tal-misthija la johrog ir-rizultat u ma jkunx ir-rizultat mixtieq.jalla ir-rebha tkun tal-pn ha jkonna rasna mistriha li ghanda mexxej kapaci jmexxi mux jamel sentejn u jerga jinzel.
03/09/08 8:14 AM,
LE MUX VERU. Dak kollu qerq tan-nazzjonalisti.
L-MLP se jirbah bxi oxrin elf. issa tarraw
03/09/08 8:06 AM,
Din mit-Times of Malta ghal xi 12.00pm
L-ewwel ma andna ntarju lilom la jithabbar ir-rizultat! mil-ewwel
MLP general secretary Jason Micallef said he was very happy with the way things were going and he confirmed that he expected the winning party to have an absolute majority, but did not wish to say more at this stage,
Labour MEP Joseph Muscat said it would be speculative to comment on a Labour victory but the party had indications and feedback which, he said, could surprise many people.
03/09/08 8:04 AM,
Skond il-MT rebhu l-PN! araw l-election special. veru?
03/09/08 8:04 AM,
Viva ir-Redentur ta` l-Isla.
03/09/08 8:01 AM,
mela kieku hargu jivvutaw dawk it-2.7% jew kemm min kien ha jirbah?
03/09/08 7:58 AM,
trid nghidilkom x`naghmlu!
03/09/08 7:55 AM,
veru pure maths ghidilna aktar pls
03/09/08 7:51 AM, Confused
Pure Maths
I have not managed to understand what you are trying to say.
Can you please explain better?
03/09/08 7:49 AM,
labt hafna. ax jiena anke mic-Centru qaluli li se nirbhu biktar min 20000. emintom.
mela alura l-maltin dahku bihom
03/09/08 7:47 AM,
inti bis-serjeta qed tghid li lghabt il flus? fuq info li tawk nies li anqas biss taf min huma?
Jien emintom ukoll, imma dawn setaw kienu li labu kontrik man.
Mohhok ghalek qed hemm ta. U ija issa huda tghalima uxx, xnista nghidlek. Lghabt hafna imma?
03/09/08 7:43 AM,
xcajt cajt. lili arquni. tlift hafna flus.
dak maltesescout u pierre min iz-z*** kienu?
u jiena ccuc ax emintom
03/09/08 7:39 AM,
Saffar saffar ja muq......n, saffar saffar ja """"""""""
Ejja nohduha ftit bic-cajt.
03/09/08 7:36 AM,
Viva GEORGE ABELA.
We love you.
Qormi
03/09/08 7:34 AM, JOe
PN Winning Election but by only approx 2- 3000 votes.
03/09/08 7:33 AM,
20000 sabih. Fuq din ma nergax nivota.
03/09/08 7:30 AM,
Imma kif tilaghabu l-flus fuq il-lejber? Jien lanqas jekk ikolli ma nilaghab, ghax il-leader taghna zgur jivvinta xi haga u nitlef kollox.
Fin-1996 ma rebahx Sant ta imma George Abela u tajnieh bis-sieq ghax nisrani u laburist ta veru. U anke jekk jitla`issa innehuh minn hemm mhux il-persuna imma il-politiku ghax kif qallu l-ghedewwa ma jafx ahjar.
03/09/08 7:21 AM,
ahseb w ara jien. jiena smajt min maltesescout u pierre u mort labt il-flus li l-Labour se jirbhu b'magoranza kbira.
Amiltuwili maltesescout u pierre
tlift somma tajba. anke jekk jirbhu l-Labour issa tlift il-flus ghax il-loghob kien li l-MLP se jirbah b'magoranza kbira
ja qatta giddibin.
03/09/08 7:19 AM,
Basta weduna li se nirbhu biktar min 20000.
dawn il-politici mux se neminom iktar
lanqas haq kemm imlewni.
Kemm ghandek ragun man!!!
03/09/08 7:17 AM,
Basta weduna li se nirbhu biktar min 20000.
dawn il-politici mux se neminom iktar
lanqas haq kemm imlewni
03/09/08 7:10 AM,
Uninformed source said:
Labour is behind, because most mlp votes are invalid.
The reason apparently being that mlp supporters hands whilst voting were still dirty with mud!!
03/09/08 7:08 AM, Kurjuz
Steve Demanuele can you please inform us , and PURE MATHS
03/09/08 7:06 AM, Thanks Saviour
posted 15.03 PN OFFICIALS TELL MT THAT THEY HAVE A 4000 MAJORITY, LABOUR REFUSE TO CONCEDE AND INSIST THAT IT IS STILL TOO CLOSE TO CALL. AND WITHIN THE MARGIN OF ERROR
INfo maltatody, go front page and press election update link
03/09/08 7:04 AM,
Mank jigu draw halli jiekol ftit kulhadd jahasra....hekk qaltli in-nanna.
03/09/08 7:04 AM, kurjuz
r u the real PIERRE
03/09/08 7:04 AM, tom
ir rai qalu ras imbras qedin...mlp min fuq b xi 1%,imma pn qalu li jistu jdawwru r rizultat....ufficjali tal pn qaluh dan...ara l election data tal mt
03/09/08 6:58 AM,
I always said SURPRISE SURPRISE and SURPRISE IT WIL BE sorry mlp….Taf xi haga?
Importanti li jekk tkun taf ikun serju pls
Thank you.
03/09/08 6:57 AM, Kurjuz
Pierre u Maltascout ,infurmawna?
03/09/08 6:51 AM,
I always said SURPRISE SURPRISE and SURPRISE IT WIL BE sorry mlp
03/09/08 6:51 AM,
Veru Saviour Balzan for President.
Jaf xi jridu n-nies ingenerali.
Grazzi.
03/09/08 6:49 AM,
Sinjal li rebah xejn habib…. oqghod kwiet isma` minni u mur hu birra ghalissa.
03/09/08 6:49 AM, Thank you Saviour
People, from the front page of this site, there is a connection of the most precise news on all medias.
Once again saviour and his team are giving us the best info available.
A very big well done!!
03/09/08 6:47 AM,
SANT TIELA NAXXAR - Sinajl li rebah
03/09/08 6:42 AM,
Ll-labour dilettant tan numri ftakru f`evelyn costa, 1981, 1987, 1992, 1998, referendum, 2003 u finalment ilu jghid li ha jirbah 2008 (b`20,000) xhur.
u taghtuhx tort ghax dak gabhom hekk 1,000 ghal kull sena` fl-oppozizjoni.
Jien ma nafx imma issa ahjar nistennew imma ghamilt dawn il-kummenti biex hadd ma jara kbir.
03/09/08 6:38 AM,
La sejjer Sant in Naxxar sinjal i rebah il_labour.
Forsi tit inqas minn 20000
03/09/08 6:36 AM,
Sant sejjer il-counting hall issa.... MLP rebhu b'20,000
03/09/08 6:36 AM,
Kif qedghin hekk ghax ma jaqbdux u jaghmlu gvern nazzjonali
03/09/08 6:32 AM,
MLP has been saying it's going to be a landslide victory for months now...
MLP supporters are already out celebrating in carcades!!
Strange country isn't it.
03/09/08 6:31 AM, John
Ras imb ras .
03/09/08 6:29 AM, John
Ras imb ras .
03/09/08 6:29 AM,
20,000 hi se nirbhu fuq tal-pn
03/09/08 6:27 AM,
is-sample zgur mhux ha jaghti indikazzjoni ax qijad wisq close
03/09/08 6:00 AM,
nahseb ir reception class il labour se jaghmluha. 5 snin bizejjed?
03/09/08 5:57 AM,
the tide is going infavor to the PN. VIVA Gozni
03/09/08 5:55 AM,
mela mhux b'20,000 kellna nghadduhom lin-nazzjonalisti?
Kien hemm min ivvinta 50,000 ukoll!
Kont nipretendi rebha kbira hafna
03/09/08 5:48 AM,
ahjar tibdew troddu s salib u titolbu sur professuri li hrigtu bil persentagi fantaxjentikifici taghkhom ...
03/09/08 5:20 AM,
to the one that said flash news ... nahseb ahjar tmur tara naqra in net siehbi
03/09/08 5:18 AM, John Schembri
Go tell it to the marines. Still noy enough time for a good result!
03/09/08 5:17 AM,
intkom vera qed tparlaw minajr ma tahsbu, sorry ta.
Gonzi, mil ewwel gurnata li lahaq prim, ghamel decizjoniet kontrieh bhala politku imma bhala pajjiz kien emm bzonom. Is surcharge ma dahaliex ghalxejn ta. Ghax il pajjiz kellu bzonna, halli min juza iktar energija ihalas iktar, mhux iz zejt jibqasusidjat mit taxxi.
Gab id-deficit taht kontrol, u anka ta l-ewropa ma stenewiex, daqsek malajr. Dawn huma fatti ta, mhux jien jew in net qed nghidom, jien rajt raporti mil eu, li kulhad jista jsibom fuq l-internet.
U il general feeling tan nazzjonalisti hija dik, li gonzi haddem hafna, imma ma setax inehi lil dawk li kienu qed jigbdu il habel min naha l-ohra ghax kien ghadu gdid. U kien johloq firda kbira fil partit.
Ghalek kellu bzon elezjoni, biex il poplu jghid lil partit. Dawn fatti, zmien l-ispekulazjoni ghada issa!!!
03/09/08 5:14 AM,
flash news, rumours are saying the PN won the election :) a repeat of the referendum.....lol mlp are loosers
03/09/08 5:09 AM, jason
jien naqbel ma dak l anonimu, iva hazin ghax il hazin hallieh ghaddej kif ghedt int, allura ma jistax jitwemmen. qalulna li l vat se tibqa 15% u saret 18% habib
03/09/08 5:04 AM,
le man, jien nagseb li jien mhux politikant hazin gonzi. Issa jien il-varist tajtu il-1. Imma xorta ma nahsibx li hazin bhala politikant.
03/09/08 4:55 AM,
kif tista tkun ixxaqleb lejn il labouru jkollok simpatija ma gonzi? ideat tajbin li jtik 10 bozoz? x'ideat tajbin huma? jekk nigu f dan iktar austin gatt hadem iktar minnu.
03/09/08 4:50 AM,
jien nxaqleb lej il-labour, pero nkun sincier nghid li ghandi certu simpatijja lejn gonzi. Nemmen li ghandu ideat tajbin u ma ghandux jigi mghormi. Li ma nistax innizzel tieghu hija li min zbalja, kompla jattieghulu. Din hadmet kontrih.
03/09/08 4:49 AM, eu
This scene should be interesting:-
MONDAY 10 March, 2008.
President Edward Fenech Adami giving the oath to govern to Dr Alfred Sant and all the thousands of MLP supporters cheering outside in the square.
03/09/08 4:43 AM, eu
Politics do not operate like that. Somebody in the PN who although sad if PN loses but happy that he was proved right might make a comeback.
We'll see in the next few weeks.
03/09/08 4:42 AM, JASON
kif ghedt jien laburist pero nixtieq li ahjar dawk li qed iduru diga ma malta jieqfu ghalissa. jien naf x jigifieri gahx xrali hekk fir referendum. Issa meta l partit jghid li irbahna vera imbghad anki jien nahraq l horn tal karozza
03/09/08 4:38 AM,
PN is gonna need a radical change. That is what the electorate is demanding from them.
And the hawks will all have to be sidelined, and push on with gonzi, because his personal results are unpresidented
03/09/08 4:34 AM, eu
believe you me, there are hawks out there waiting to take the first opportunity.
03/09/08 4:32 AM, eu
CORRIGE ERRATA
iF THE MLP WINS, THERE FOLLOWS A ROUGH, A VERY ROUGH TIME FOR DR LAWRENCE GONZI BECAUSE HE HAS NOT WON ONE ELECTION.
THIS COMING WEEK SHOULD BE VERY INTERESTING.
03/09/08 4:32 AM,
how wrong you are eu. Very very wrong.
We all know why Gonzi didn't win, so I think it will more of the oppposite, it will be more easy for him to remove those people that made this election.
He couldn't do that before because he was still new as a party leader.
03/09/08 4:28 AM, eu
If the MLP wins, there follows a rough, very rough time for Dr Laurence Gonzi because he has not won one election.
This coming will be very interesting, very interesting indeed.
03/09/08 4:20 AM,
well, I guess we all know who is going to win, what is left is to know by how much.
The only fact so far, is that to a certain extent a protest election. And this shows a bit of maturity from the electorate.
I hope all political parties will learn from this and start changing to being more honest and transperant.
03/09/08 4:10 AM, John Schembri
Dalwaqt se titla t-tombla min se jtella' l-51 (%) ?
03/09/08 3:57 AM,
arrogance stems from the pride in the accomplishments of oneself or a person, group, nation or object that one identifies with
I prefer arrogance to humility if the latter stems from incompetence
03/09/08 3:54 AM, John Schembri
Here is the link for Salt , to while away the time.
http://www.saltband.net/
03/09/08 3:54 AM, steve demanuele
yes..i ve seen both salt and eve ransom performing at the bma's...i must say,that,unlike politics,in music we got some real future in Malta...
hahhaa
03/09/08 3:50 AM,
yes i like thomas hedley but most of all eve ransom they are wonderful
03/09/08 3:50 AM, John Schembri
Isma' ghax ahjar inkun naf minn qabel ,u thawwadt ,veru li jekk P.E. il-partiti ma' jgibux il-50+1 , allura in-number twos ta' l-alternattiva ma jintirtux fuq partit biex jitla dak il-partit bis -sistema proporzjonali?
Steve,
I realy liked the new comers SALT . They are great!They have been invited for the World Youth Day 2008 in Down Under.They were on TVM yesterday.
03/09/08 3:36 AM, steve demanuele
I HAVE AN IDEA....Why don't we change subject till the moment when the counting begins....Let s talk about local music...do you like local music....last december i attended the bay music awards,where i saw a very promising artist that i later met...his name id thomas hedley...have you ever heard of him..i hear him on the radio very often....
go check his website...
www.myspace.com/thomashedley
i tell you,he's not bad at all.....
03/09/08 3:33 AM, maltesescout
Well said Ides of March.
03/09/08 3:30 AM,
03/09/08 3:29 AM, Ides of March
it's the arrogance on top of everything else.It's the arrogance of thinking that they are the natural party of Government. It's the lies.It's the not so subtle reporting of the news from the so called independent press.It's the arrogance of spending the taxpayers money on Government(for which read Nationalist)on glossy publicity which must cost a fortune. It's the arrogance and robbing attitude of the Ministers. It's the arrogance of placing an ex prime minister as President. It's the arrogance of presendential pardons and especially to those close to the party...I could go on but in the end it's arrogance and corruption that did it for the Nats. Let them go back to their stamperija and clean themselves. They deserve anonymity. It's the arrogance of hiding their ministers and presenting what they thought was the acceptable face of Capitalism. Labour haven't won at the time of writing but I sincerely hope they do.
03/09/08 3:26 AM, John Schembri
On this and on another bog I am feeling like watching "Affari Tuuoi" or it's a deal , the anonymous man gives the presenter a figure (STATISTICS) and we try guessing what's inside the box , by elimination.We already have 'opened' some boxes, concluding that Ad would not make it. But everyone is hoping to spot the cash prize.
03/09/08 3:20 AM,
on one, everyone seems smiling and cheerful...
on net, they are all red faced and trying to say something in the studio, no interviewing of party members....
Isn't that enough?
03/09/08 3:18 AM, Happy to be up
next edition of 'Taste' magazine will have a fullcolour full page photo of Daphne picking lemons from her beautifull interior designed garden.
03/09/08 3:18 AM,
on one, everyone seems smiling and cheerful...
on net, they are all red faced and trying to say something in the studio, no interviewing of party members....
Isn't that enough?
03/09/08 3:14 AM, maltesescout
eu
no need to body language, just read this:
Michael Falzon sees absolute majority for winning party
Labour Party deputy leader Michael Falzon has said he has a “precise idea” of who will win the election, but it would be premature and irresponsible to say who at this stage.
Speaking to Ariadne Massa at the Naxxar counting hall, Dr Falzon said he was confident that the winner would have an ‘absolute majority’ of first count votes.
Labour MEP Joseph Muscat said it would be speculative to comment on a Labour victory but the party had indications and feedback which, he said, could surprise many people.
Meanwhile at Naxxar the vote reconciliation process is continuing and nearing its end, although the 10.30 a.m. deadline has been missed.
PN general secretary Joe Saliba arrived at the counting hall a few minutes ago, along with IT Minister Austin Gatt.
03/09/08 3:13 AM, eu
steve demanuele,
Nassoccja ruhi hafna mal-hsibijiet tieghek.
Tinduna li anke min jharbex f'dawn il-blogs,mhux hawn biss, dawk li jappogjaw lil PN aktar jghajjru u jitkellmu bi hdura.
Dan il-poplu iddejjaq minnu.
They did not see the writing on the wall.
03/09/08 3:13 AM, steve demanuele
jien kont l ewwel wiehed hawn gew li bassart li t turnout se jkun inqas min 94 percent (dehritli tal girgenti)...issa dehrli frenc ta l gharb,u qalli mlp se jirbah b 10,000 vot...u ndan nazzjonalist kien,imma ikkomplejnja mhux ftit minhabba l projett tax xghara l hamra.....
u ejja guys,ejja nihduha naqra bic cajt....meta qala tkaxkira l l abour,jien kont inkun l ewwel wiehed li nghajjar u nidhak bijja nniffsi...
03/09/08 3:13 AM, maltesescout
steve,
I've always thought that there would have been a 3% difference between the two major parties but it seems to me that it is going to be more.
03/09/08 3:08 AM, eu
Jien naghti kas ghal li ma jintqalx u mhux ghal li jintqal. Aghtu kas il-'body language' u tistghu timmaginaw xi ftit il-fejn tista' tmur l-elezzjoni.
Jekk jitla l-MLP, hemm irjus fil-PN li ghandhom hafna x'jispjegaw. Ez: il-kaz ta' Harry Vassallo, u tal-Mistra.
Ilni nghidha din u nhossni konvint li l-PN , anzi GonziPN(din ohra zball), dan l-ahhar tharbat.
Il-quddiem naghti xi impressjonijiet tieghi li nipprova ma nkunx 'biased' ma hadd.
03/09/08 3:08 AM, steve demanuele
ha nghidlek,siehbi anoninmu,jien dejjem tkellimt mill istatistika..veru jien iktar inxaqleb lejn mlp,pero,mis surveys ta l ahhar gimgha,u mill andament ta l elezzjoni s issa,dak li kont qed nikkalkula qed isehh....tmerix lili,meri lil profs scicluna,u lis survey ta malta today....issa scicluna qal li l partiti diga qedin ras imbras(peres li ma ngabrux hafna voti,li kienu ta protesta)...mela,issa,kull 1 percent li jitlef il pn,se jsarraf 2 percent ghal min jiehdu...
issa,skond is survey ta malta today(li rridu nghidu,qatet ukoll fuq in number ta voters li ma kienux decisi),hemm trend qawwija ta swing favur l mlp,li skond huma hija 5.8 percent,plus 1.5 percent li qalbu ghal ad jew an....ji jfisser dan ....tkaxkira ghall pn...
jien personalment kont iktar kawt ...nahseb is swing favur il labour ha jkun 3 percent,u l iswing favur ad u an se jkun ta 1 percent...jigifieri,f kelma wahda,pn se jitilfu 4 percent...
ghalekk ghidt li ghalija,l mlp se jirbah b 10,000 jew iktar,jafu jkunu inqas ukoll s intendi,imma prattikament impossibli li l mlp ma jigvernax,jew ma jgibx 50 +
taqblu jew ma taqblux mieghi? qed inkun oggettiv hafna....
jien mhux qed nghid bhal uhud,lil mlp se jkaxkar b xi 20,000
03/09/08 3:07 AM,
maltesescout,
qabel tibda torgazma, u tanalizza it telfa tan nazzjonalisti li tidher li inyi cert minnha, kuf af li hemm eluf u eluf u eluf ta maltin u ghawdxin li ma japprovawx il politika ta MLP li inti tidher li inti pupazz tieghu
03/09/08 1:55 AM, maltesescout
As i've always said. The PN's ONLY enemy was the enemy within. i.e arrogance!!! arrogance!!! arrogance!!! No more NO less.
May the new Government be the Government of all Maltese people. May our country continue to prosper. I am sure that the MLP have learnt their lesson now and so did the PN.
03/09/08 1:55 AM,
Naqbel mieghek Jason ghax jien qeda litteralment imtertqa nistenna u nittama biss
03/09/08 1:51 AM, jason
jien laburist u ma trid taghmel xejn cert, jigifieri mhux kull laburist jahseb li se nirbhu, issa naraw minn hawn u ftit iehor
03/09/08 1:41 AM,
Jien Laburist u ghandi qalbi imtertqa biex tara kemm mamilt xejn cert.. Tiggeneralizzax pls
03/09/08 1:35 AM,
Steve,
l arroganza taf x inhi? li r rebha ghamiltuha taghkhom minn gimgha ilu, qisa xi haga bi dritt...
03/09/08 1:27 AM, Bongu
anonimu kif tista tghid inlestu ruhna ghat tkissir ?? Tista titkellem naqra bis sens dalghodu ghadek tiftah ghajnejk siehbi???
03/09/08 1:17 AM,
taf alfejk tilfu lvoti i nazjonaliti ax qedew i laburisti u nazzjonalisti hallewom l art alek,ara laburisti qat ma ddew lil ebda nazzjonalist,ilsestu ruhna a tkissir tal labour ax hekk jafu jiccelebraw
03/09/08 12:58 AM, steve demanuele
bongu guys...irqadt saghtejn jien...milli rajt u stajt nisma,l unika haga li nista nimmagina hekk kif ftaht ghajnejja hija supporters laburisti jghjtu 'we want more,we want more' ...ghax s issa,kull haga li kienhemm,kienet favur l mlp...
issa qallibtu fuq in net,u b arroganza kbira qed jghidu li dawk is 17,000 vot gdida marru kollha ghandhom...tan-net 'spjegawli din hi'..jekk irnexxilkom tipperswadi lil dawn il godda kollha,kif irnexxilkom tgerrxu dawk il votanti kollha milli jivvutaw?' ...sa l ahhar nibqghu arroganti hi...
03/09/08 12:40 AM,
Tlifniha!!!!
eu, trid tikkumpara ma l-elezzjoni li ghaddiet mhux ma elezzjoni ta 37 yr ilu. Nazzjonalisti li ma vvutawx, vot ghall-labour dak.
03/09/08 12:31 AM, eu
ANYBODY OUT THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
03/08/08 11:57 PM, eu
If one have a look at the latest headlines of The Times on line, one can have a rough idea about the outcome of the result.
03/08/08 11:20 PM,
03/08/08 11:20 PM,
03/08/08 11:17 PM, maltesescout
Dear Steve,
I think our calculations are correct.
I still stick to my numbers though:
MLP - 50.3%
PN - 47.2%
AD - 2.0%
AN - 0.5%
However I was 1% off my prediction regarding turnout. I predicted 92% and it was 93%.
03/08/08 11:03 PM, pure maths
Li l-PN tilef il-vantagg kollu li kellu fit-2003 qalu Profs. Scicluna (genju ta' esperjenza kbira f'dan il-qasam) u zgur mhux se mmerieh jien.
Izda li l-AD jirbah siggu (bhal ma hawn min qieghed jghid f'dan il-blog) hija xi haga kwazi impossibli. Biex isir hekk iridu jgibu madwar 3000 vot minn distrett wiehed. Il-predictions ta' kullhadd jghidu li l-AD forsi ggib 3000 vot minn Malta kollha u mhux minn distrett wiehed.
Barra minn hekk, iktar ma jgibu voti AD u AN, iktar ikunu tilfu voti il-PN, u aktar jikber il-vantagg tal-MLP.
Naqbel hafna ma' dak li qal steve demanuele iktar 'l isfel, izda nahseb li steve seta' kien xi ftit kawt iz-zejjed.
Fl-opinjoni tieghi id-distakk aktarx li jkun ta' aktar minn 10,000 vot favur l-MLP. Ma nehodiex b'sorpriza jekk jersaq qrib l-20,000.
GAME OVER
03/08/08 10:39 PM, eu
Li hu zgur huwa li l-PN tilfu il-vantagg kollu tal-voti ta' l-ahhar elezzjoni.
Issa jiddependi kemm il-PN tilef voti ghall-AD, kif ukoll kemm tilfu voti mill-partitarji li soltu huma alleati lejn il-PN.
Interessanti kif ivvutaw tas-Sliema u it-tnax il-distrett.
Wiehed ma jridx jinsa li is-Slimizi huma ndannati ghall-izvilupp ta' Qui-Si-Sana u Tigne. U tat-tnax il-distrett jinsabu l-istess ghal min ipprova jeqred il_-Mistra.
Issa nistennew u naraw, izda l-odds huma li jigverna l-MLP jew b'maggoranza ta' siggijiet, jew bil-50+1
03/08/08 10:38 PM, Kurjuz
Id-darba l-ohra l-alternattiva ma kellhomx l-ghajta li kellom din id darba ma' niskantax li l-pn ma rebhux imma hemm possibilta li l-AD se jirtu jew jaghtu voti .
Milli qed nara ,trid tkun sorpriza Kbira biex naraw lil pn wahdu fil-gvern . Ki f ghidt bad'ohra irridu issa nifthu l-kaxxi!U ma' niskantax jekk l-istatment tal-PN ser ikun li l-PN "ma' rebahx il-Maggoranza"! Tibda umbaghad tahdem il-sistems tal-Proportional representation ,kif suppost tahdem billi naraw il-voti jimxu minn naha ghal-ohra.
03/08/08 10:29 PM, pierre
steve demanuele qadek tahseb li mlp sa irbah???
03/08/08 10:21 PM, pierre
inti cert mela issa kif gew afarijt steve demanuele li mlp tista tad li sa irbah
03/08/08 10:19 PM,
Bongu lil kulhadd
Is-super one radio dalghodu fis-6am beda b'dawn il-kanzunetti:-
1.Fever
2.Tears on my pillow
3.Three steps to heaven
4.Lollipop
5.Smoke gets in your eyes
6.Volare (nel blu dipinto di piu')
7. Stand by me
Issa qieghda tindaqq: love is in the air.
Ftit ilu indaqqet Wonderful World, Allelulia.
In-nies qeghdin jitolbu 'Row the boat ashore"
Tghid hemm xi hjiel b'dawn id-diski?
03/08/08 10:18 PM, Joseph Buttigieg
For sure MLP wins the election +17000 or more
Thanks
03/08/08 10:16 PM,
x tip ta sorpriza issa say it
03/08/08 10:00 PM,
predictions Predictions Predictions .... in 4 hours time wil all be useless. the one surprising thing in this election was the amount of undecided. Gonzi was a far more convincing leader than Sant, but Sant's army was better equipped. Kemm smajt nies li qalbu mill giex nahat. testament li illum iktar maltin juzaw mohhom. Zgur ser niehdu sorprizi din id-darba
03/08/08 6:46 PM, steve demanuele
ma nafx hux se nghid hmerija...pero,jekk kif qalu,l voti elegibbli kienu 294016(jigifieri naqqsu ga il 5000 li ma ngabrux),u l percentage haduh minn dan l ammont,mela nistu nghidu li xi 280,000 circa se jkunu voti validi...
taf x qed tghid man? li se jkollna l istess ammont ta voti ta 5 snin ilu,jekk mhux inqas...
my new prediction.....min jaqbez 140,000 is a sure winner....
03/08/08 6:39 PM, steve demanuele
hi...ha nibda nghamel il predictions tieghi.....fl ahhar elezzjoni,labour gab 134,000 u pn 146,000...mela,skond kif qed nikkalkula jien,il media ta voti validi,ghax issa nistennew li se jkun hemm bejn wiehed u iehor 4000 invalidi,se tkun ta bejn 187,000,jew ftit iktar....
il mlp,kull ma jghamel se jzid il voti ..ghaliex? 1)jekk ta l inqas 40 percent minn new voters jivvutawlu,dawn diga 7500 sa 8000 vot....2)is supporters ta l mlp m ghandhomx ghalfejn ma jivvutawx,ghallura hargu bi hgarhom...mela l labour,miserament,se jgib 142,000,dawn minus il cross votes...jien nikkalkula li se jkun hemm mill inqas 3000 cross votes...
biex il labour jirbah zgur,irid igib mizerament 143,000,ax jien cert li ad u an bejniethom se jaqbzu 3000 votes...mela pn s issa gew b 141,000...issa,dawn il 141,000 zgur ma jirriflettux il voti li l pn jista jgib...ghaliex...ghalkemm,perezempju,l pn se jzid 10,000 vot mill votanti godda,u jigi 156,000,se jitlef mizerament 3000 ghall labour u 2000 ghal ad u an(mill inqas),jigifieri jigi qisu 150..issa trid tqis li ghalmenu 3/4 ta dawk il 22,000 votes li ma ntefghux ha jkunu taghhom...ghamilhom 13,000...mela l pn diga waqa ghal 137,000....
qed tifmuha din...
it tbassira tieghi hija din...
mlp 147,000
pn 136,000
ad 4000
an 1000
ovvjament,nahseb din id differenza tista tikber skond kemm ha jkun is swing reali ..(jien ikkalkulajt 2 percent favur mlp),u skond kemm jistu jgibu voti ad u an
nahseb l izghar rizultat jista jkun 8000 favur mlp
u l ikbar rizultat jista jkun 13000+ favur mlp
li hi certa,skond jien,illi b vot jew iktar,mlp se jiggverna
