It is, it is not, it is!

The prerogative, or shall we say the privilege, of every Maltese prime minister is to decide when parliament is to be dissolved and an election called. 

The time has come for this to change. 

A modern democracy demands that we have a fixed date and that an elected party commits to administering this country for a full five years. Only extraordinary circumstances should lead a government to call an early election.

Whenever election speculation kicks in, there is a tendency for things to slow down, for decisions to be shelved and for government to stop taking decisions. 

The fact that we have been discussing the general election for the last three months and speculating over a date has not helped anyone. Apart from frustrating those who look forward to taking decisions, it renders many party candidates on all sides of the political spectrum exasperated.

There is little doubt in my mind that if an election were held right now, it would be in Robert Abela’s interest but not necessarily that of the country.

Abela knows that with a war threatening the price of oil, causing inflation to spiral, an election held now will avoid the unknown pains of the near future.

Of course one could also argue and say that it is in the best interest of the country that Labour should win and win big to allow for the implementation of its electoral manifesto and ensure continuity. 

But that is a warped way of looking at things. We all know that democracy does not work like that. It is not healthy for a country to never see change and that electoral advantages range between 2% and 3% not 6% or more.

The Nationalist Party argues that it is disadvantaged with the government’s outlandish power of incumbency. Every opposition party has argued the same way, always. But the power of incumbency in Malta is a cruel affair.

Governments led by politically-appointed officials always lend a hand to the campaign by being more understanding to the demands of particular constituents.

Time and time again, we see history repeating itself.

But in today’s age of social media and citizen power through social networks, an opposition can walk miles and work wonders. 

It is true that the PN has to highlight the fact that another Labour victory would mean the fourth electoral term, which also means giving Labour validation for actions it was deemed guilty or responsible for—Vitals, impunity, Daphne Caruana Galizia, Jean Paul Sofia, nepotism, massive environmental degradation and over population.

But it is here that Nationalist leader Alex Borg needs to rekindle some enthusiasm.  He can only do this if he addresses these issues and energises those independent unsure voters that the PN can be an alternative.

He faces a formidable challenge in Robert Abela. The prime minister can boast of a solid economy and flourishing middles class and an adrenaline-injected business community.

On both sides of the political divide we cannot see any star candidates or special names. Neither can we decipher any earth-shattering reforms. What we see are an ocean of non-voters for the taking. They can determine if Labour wins with the same majority, with a smaller majority or nothing at all.

The same argument applies to the Nationalist Party.

Now, all this is irrelevant if for some unknown reason Prime Minister Robert Abela decides to postpone the election and let summer set in and wait for October or maybe March next year.

Meanwhile, we continue to wait.