Marilena Gauci
The overnight shift our country has experienced over the past years is undeniable. While the economy has indeed grown, in many instances this has happened at the detriment of our families and our quality of life.
In fact, beneath the fast-paced progress that we sometimes mistake for success, lies the unshakable feeling that somewhere, somehow along the way, we missed a couple of turns.
The country we inherited is different, not necessarily better, but in certain aspects, we hardly recognise it.
For one, the sense of community that once defined our social groups is gradually fading away – in some instances it has sadly disappeared completely as it has been taken over by a strong sense of individualism.
For generations, our society was built around strong communities, built on family values and a sense of solidarity between neighbours.
People looked out for one another, and even though your nosy neighbour may have overdone it at times, the time we took to look out for one another provided for the social fabric that kept our groups cohesive.
On a more structural level, our youths are facing serious uncertainty about their future in Malta. Families are constantly battling increasing expenses having to resort to multiple jobs to make ends meet.
The hours we spend behind the wheel are absolutely ridiculous, while mental health challenges are becoming increasingly common across all age groups.
This is why Malta needs a new breath built on the ambitions and hopes of people once again.
Alex Borg, and the Nationalist Party are presenting themselves as a party of national unity. This is because we recognise that economic measures alone are not enough. A country cannot thrive if people feel emotionally exhausted, disconnected or unable to enjoy a decent quality of life.
This starts with valuing workers properly. Hard-working Maltese and Gozitan families deserve policies that dovetail themselves into a vision that is genuinely interested in improving their daily lives. The PN’s proposals to reduce taxes and ease energy-related pressures aim to give workers and businesses greater breathing space.
The PN has also placed significant importance on supporting young people and encouraging them to build their future in Malta with great confidence. Proposals such as paid internships and further educational support are intended to invest directly in the next generation and prepare young people for an economy that is rapidly changing through technology, innovation and innovative industries.
But building a stronger Malta also requires investing in the country’s soul. The arts and culture are not secondary issues; they must be regarded as central to who we are, the very identity that shapes us.
The creative industry has enormous potential that is still waiting to be truly acknowledged. Malta has extraordinary artistic talent across music, theatre, film, literature, heritage and digital creativity, yet too often, artists and creatives feel neglected or treated as an afterthought.
A serious national vision for the cultural and creative sectors can generate opportunities for young people, strengthen communities and preserve the unique identity that makes Malta so incredibly special. Our culture creates our sense of belonging, as it tells our story and strengthens our national pride.
This is particularly important at a time when we appear to be losing part of our character under relentless development and fast-paced change.
At the same time, we must also recognise that quality of life is closely tied to mental wellbeing. The PN’s emphasis on mental health and wellness reflects the understanding that a healthy society is not measured only by economic indicators, but also by emotional wellbeing.
Proposals aimed at ensuring free healthcare support for cancer patients represent a recognition that families facing serious illness should never feel abandoned or overwhelmed by financial burdens during the most difficult moments of their lives.
Because politics should always translate into the best way the country can stand in for those of us who are navigating hard times.
This is what many people today are looking for: a country where economic progress is balanced with social wellbeing, where families are supported, where communities matter again and where national identity is celebrated.
The Nationalist Party is presenting itself as the political force capable of offering that fresh direction. Not because it claims perfection, but because it recognises that Malta’s future cannot continue to rely on short-term thinking alone.
Today, we face an important choice about the kind of country we want to live in for the next five years. We either want a Malta driven purely by individualism and constant pressure, or a country that rediscovers the values of solidarity, dignity, and community.
I trust that the choice is pretty clear. We must throw logs to the fire that brings hope, prosperity and change. A fire that brings light to darkness, that brings warmth to cold.
Together with my determined colleagues on the pn ballot, I am determined to bring this necessary change, for the benefit of a better tomorrow.
This is a sponsored article
