In next Saturday’s 2024 MEP Election, there is a notable increase in the number of independent and third-party candidates. A total of 22 candidates, comprising 13 independents and 9 third-party representatives, are vying for seats, representing parties such as ABBA, ADPD, Imperium Europa, and Volt Malta.

This surge in non-mainstream candidates coincides with a decrease in the participation of major parties. The Labour Party and the Nationalist Party are fielding their lowest number of candidates since 2004, with 9 and 8 candidates respectively.

A full list of candidates can be found here.

This trend was also observed in the 2022 general election, which saw the highest number of third-party and independent candidates in Maltese electoral history.

Several factors are driving this diversification of the ballot. Heightened dissatisfaction with major parties, fueled by perceptions of corruption and ineffective opposition, has prompted a search for alternatives. Declining trust in traditional political establishments has led many to explore independent options. The youth electorate, characterised by an anti-establishment ethos, seeks novel voices beyond conventional party affiliations. Grassroots independent campaigns have utilised social media to amplify their messages and engage directly with voters. Additionally, Malta’s traditional media has faced criticism for perceived authoritarianism and blatant bipartisanism, especially more recently with the Broadcasting Authority’s directives censoring non-partisan candidates and even censoring reports on EP President Roberta Metsola. Such backwardness only fuels disillusioned citizens to move ever more towards getting their information online, where third parties and independents have a stronger following.

Amidst these changes in candidate demographics, it is crucial to recognize and actively participate in this transformation. Voting for non-traditional candidates contributes to a more diverse and dynamic political arena.

However, some argue that voting for third parties is a wasted effort because these candidates rarely win outright. Yet, this perspective overlooks the broader impact.

The Voting System

Malta and Ireland are the two countries in the EU that utilise the Single-Transferable-Vote (STV) system for the MEP election. Unlike the “traditional” first-past-the-post system, STV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference.

Here’s how it works:

Ranking Preferences: Voters list their preferred candidates, not limiting themselves to a single choice. If their top pick doesn’t gather enough votes, their second or third choices come into play.

Transfer of Votes: When a candidate surpasses the required threshold or is eliminated due to insufficient support, their surplus or remaining votes are redistributed to other candidates based on voters’ preferences.

Maximising Representation: STV ensures that even if a candidate doesn’t win outright, their votes can still influence the outcome. This system promotes inclusivity and encourages voters to back candidates aligned with their values, regardless of mainstream popularity.

The most important aspect of this is that you are never voting for a party, but for a candidate.

So, is voting for non-mainstream candidates truly a wasted effort? Not when we consider the broader impact. Each vote contributes to shaping the political discourse, fostering alternative viewpoints, and challenging the status quo. Even if a candidate doesn’t clinch victory, their presence sends a powerful message: diversity matters.

So, who are the third parties?

ABBA

ABBA, unrelated to the popular 70s Swedish pop band, is a political party that up until a few days ago was headed by Ivan Grech Mintoff, who was also previously the leader of Alleanza Bidla.

The party originally became popular for its anti-COVID measures and its very close association with right-wing evangelical Christians such as Gordon Manché and his church ‘River of Love’. The party focuses on protecting Maltese sovereignty against the EU, has an anti-abortion stance, and is staunchly in favour of the country’s constitutional neutrality. The party was recently back in the limelight thanks to their former leader, after Grech Mintoff dramatically threw eggs at the ground next to Prime Minister Robert Abela, and again at the KSU’s MEP debate, and finally for filing a judicial protest against the Broadcasting Authority after he was not allowed to take a carton of eggs with him to their debate.

Candidates:

Antonia Gauci

Ivan Grech Mintoff (Listed in the ballot under ABBA, de-facto independent)

More information about the party can be found here.

ADPD

The successor party of ‘Democratic Alternative (Alternattiva Demokratika)’, it promotes green policies, sustainable development, and progressive values in Maltese politics. It focuses on providing a platform for those seeking an alternative to the major parties and advocating for environmental and social issues.

Candidates:

• Ralph Cassar
• Rachelle Deguara
• Sandra Gauci
• Mina Jack Tolu

Learn more about AD+PD here.

Imperium Europa

This party needs no introduction. Helmed by Norman Lowell since its inception in 2000, the original aim of the party was to unite the continent under a single party and flag, hence the name (despite formerly being Eurosceptic and advocating for Malta to leave the EU). 

A neo-fascist, far-right, and white nationalist party (which claims to be libertarian), with its leader expressing sympathies for Adolf Hitler and denying that the Holocaust happened, the party opposes immigration and Islam, believes that drug overdosers should be left on the street and women who choose to go for a career instead of raising a family are brainwashed into wanting to become men.

In the last MEP election, Imperium Europa received a record high voting share of 3.59% in 2019, becoming Malta’s third most popular party.

For the first time, the party is fielding a second candidate, Terrence Portelli, who is a manager at Malta’s Asset Recovery Bureau, believes the global markets are controlled by a new world order.

Candidates:

• Norman Lowell
• Terrence Portelli

I cannot provide any links for you to further look into this party due to heavy online restrictions on any sites or pages created by this party. Just try searching for them on Facebook:

Volt Malta

Volt Malta is the Maltese branch of the greater Volt Europa movement which was also founded in 2020. The party holds the same values as its parent organisation, that is, progressive and Eurofederalist.

The party became popular in the last general election for being the first outwardly pro-choice party.

A number of policies the party is focusing on for this election can be found in this article.

Candidate: Matthias Iannis Portelli

More information about this party can be found here.

And what about the independent candidates?

With 13 independent candidates to choose from, you’re spoiled for choice. From satirical candidates such as James ‘Ryder’ Muscat and Nazareno Bonnici (Żaren tal-Ajkla), to prominent Maltese politician, academic and activist Arnold Cassola, to popular online personality Adrian ‘Il-Bebbuxu’ Zammit, and right-wing history lecturer and blogger Simon Mercieca, this election provides voters with the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives, and priorities to date.

Here is a list of all independent candidates:

• Noel Apap

• Malcolm Bezzina – Check out an interview with this candidate here.
• Nazareno Bonnici (‘Iż-Żaren’ / ‘tal-Ajkla’)

• Conrad Borg Manché – Ex-Labour now Independent Gżira Mayor. His manifesto can be found here.
• Arnold Cassola – His manifesto can be found here.

• Alexander D’agata – An interview with this candidate can be found here.
• Stephen Florian – A right-wing leaning member of the Movimenti Patrijotti Maltin
• Radu Gheorghe – An article by this candidate describing why they are running for the election can be found here.
• George Grixti (‘Il-Mauz’) – I could not find any information about this candidate. Aparently, I wasn’t the only one.
• Simon Mercieca – His site can be found here.
• James Michael Muscat (James Ryder) – His site can be found here.

• Edwin Vassallo – Ex-Nationalist MP with highly conservative leanings
• Adrian Zammit (‘Il-Bebbuxu’)

And if you still dislike every candidate?

Still go get your vote, but consider the power of a protest vote. Instead of abstaining, spoil your ballot by either leaving it blank or marking it inappropriately. Enough invalid votes would send a message to all parties and candidates that a portion of voters are discontent with all available options.

Every vote sends a message. Even if a third-party candidate doesn’t secure a seat, their vote share influences the political landscape and encourages change.

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily represent a position or perspective of this or any organisation

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