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Bossano and Caruana plan to leave politics
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by our political correspondent
Opposition leader Joe Bossano had made it clear some time ago that this would be his last election. True to his word, he has now confirmed that this will be the case.
For his part the Chief Minister Peter Caruana has said that he wants to establish his own succession plan.
Although this may not be a top priority, it is something that Mr Caruana may wish to explore within his fourth term, which many think will be his last.
The GSD's electoral fortunes have been on a downtrend at every election since gaining power. From the days when they would get over 58% to the present situation where they obtained under 50%.
It is understandable that a party which is too long in power is bound to lose support.
Mr Caruana's idea is to establish a plan to try and ensure that his party survives his departure from politics.
In fact, the thinking in political circles is that a new era in politics will emerge when Bossano and Caruana call it a day.
It has been thought that a new political map could emerge.
Some may think it is too early to think that far, but there are political animals who have harnessed such thoughts for quite sometime.
Although we will not name names, there are those who may step into the political arena and others who may make a comeback.
There are those who look back and draw analogies with the AACR. Sir Joshua Hassan's departure was followed by party fragmentation.
Can it happen again? What will happen to the GSLP which everyone links to Bossano? What about the GSD which is also closely identified with Caruana?
Meanwhile, questions are being asked how the new 10-candi-date block voting system will fare in the future. .
At this last election, everyone accepted that they had to vote for ten in the same way that in the past most voted for eight.
But in the past, a party who lost one could end up being defeated, as it was eight for Government and seven for Opposition.
But the idea of there being a 'spare' vote under the new system can become better known in the years ahead.
OPPORTUNITY
Again, there are those who say that the opportunity should be taken to review our voting system to make it more open for those who would never make it under the present block voting system.
So, what is it to be? In the immediate future, nothing is bound to change. After all, we have just had an election! But it will not be long before new ideas start to emerge.
Clearly, both Bossano and Caruana want to see their parties survive their departure from frontline politics.
The battleground for succession looms!
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