Politics is not a football game to be won by one's favourite team. It's time to move beyond partisanship

Malta, like many other countries, grapples with the challenges of a deeply partisan political environment. The entrenched division between the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party has created a situation where party loyalty takes precedence over national interests.

One major effect of partisanship is societal polarization. In Malta, political allegiance frequently influences personal relationships, social interactions, and even family dynamics. People tend to align strictly with their party's views and narratives, resulting in a social atmosphere filled with distrust and hostility towards the opposing side. Public discussions, both online and offline, often devolve into confrontations instead of constructive conversations.

This polarization impacts not only individuals but also the community as a whole. Events meant to unite citizens, such as national holidays or cultural celebrations, can be overshadowed by political discourse. When party loyalty overtakes a shared national identity, it weakens the social fabric and collective consciousness of the Maltese people.

The partisan approach to governance can significantly undermine public trust in political institutions. When citizens feel their elected officials prioritize party interests over public welfare, disillusionment occurs. This is evident as Labour supporters like Manuel Cuschieri and Neville Gafa defend crimes and corruption by Labour Party members through whataboutism and by attacking opposition party members in response.

Whataboutism is commonly used in Maltese politics, serving as a rhetorical tactic to shift focus from one issue to another, often to deflect criticism or avoid accountability. This involves responding to an accusation or difficult question by making a counter-accusation or raising a different issue, creating a diversion from the original topic. In Maltese politics, this strategy is prevalent in debates about governance, corruption, and public policy. Politicians may use whataboutism to highlight perceived failures or controversies involving opponents, attempting to undermine their credibility while deflecting attention from their own actions or shortcomings. Consequently, whataboutism complicates political discourse and contributes to a polarized environment where constructive dialogue is overshadowed by blame-shifting. This affects the electorate, causing confusion and frustration among voters seeking clarity on important issues impacting their lives and the nation's future. The use of whataboutism in Maltese politics reflects a broader global trend where debate is increasingly replaced by tactics designed to evade accountability and manipulate public perception.

The media landscape in Malta is heavily influenced by partisanship, with media outlets often affiliated with or closely aligned to one of the major parties. This includes state TV, which acts as a propaganda tool for the ruling Labour Party. It also has to be pointed out that several mainstream media outlets depend heavily on the government (i.e. the Labour party) for their financial sustainability, a situation that does not augur well for a fair and balanced media landscape.

This bias can sway public opinion and further deepen divisions among the populace. Misinformation and sensationalism thrive in this environment, as media channels prioritize engagement over factual reporting. This is further compounded by the fact that media literacy in Malta is low.

As a result, voters may receive biased information that reinforces their existing beliefs, creating an echo chamber effect. This lack of access to balanced news hampers informed decision-making and ensures that partisan narratives prevail, even when they are not in the country's best interest. This benefits the corrupt and those who would undermine democracy.

Another crucial aspect of partisanship is that effective governance relies on collaboration and consensus-building. However, in a partisan climate, leaders often prioritize party loyalty over good governance principles. This can lead to decisions favouring a party's interests rather than the nation's greater good.

Moreover, key public service appointments are frequently based on political allegiance rather than merit. When unqualified individuals are appointed due to party affiliation, it can lead to ineffective governance and public service that fails to meet citizens' needs. It is challenging to find an institution, ministry, or government agency not filled with Labour activists and cronies, particularly at leadership levels. The number of persons of trust (with mind-blowing salaries) within the government ranks is without precedence. This has turned the executive into a large Labour Party club. The number of persons of trust within the government ranks is without precedence.

It's time to move beyond partisanship and embrace justice, fairness, integrity, and critical thinking. While this is difficult in Malta's highly polarized environment, it is essential for creating a fairer society and ensuring democracy and the rule of law thrive. Politics should not be treated like a football game where supporters cheer regardless of actions. Politics is not a football game to be won by one's favourite team. When that happens, society as a whole loses.