Candidate selection in Maltese political parties : the case of the Nationalist party

Abstract

Candidate selection takes place in every democratic state before an election, often behind party doors. Several scholars argue that the candidate selection process lies at the heart of political parties, yet it received little academic research until recently. Indeed, Hazan and Rahat (2013) argue that a search for “candidate selection methods” publications in the World Wide Political Science Abstracts returns just 251 works compared to a search for “electoral systems”, which reveals 2,783 results. A similar search for “elections” returns 28,534 results. This research sheds light on the selection process taking place within the Nationalist Party in Malta. In 2008, the then Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi lamented about the lack of talent in cabinet. The 2008-2013 legislature was further characterised by political scandals, resignations and internal party conflicts within the party in Government – the Nationalist Party. In 2013 the party suffered a major electoral defeat, resulting in a nine seat gap between the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party in government. After the election, the Nationalist Party commissioned a post electoral defeat report, highlighting the major factors that led to such unprecedented electoral defeat. The report outlined amongst other factors the lack of a fitting candidate list presented to the electorate, highlighting the need for an efficient and effective candidate selection process. Amongst the several changes announced in the party statute were several measures making the Nationalist Party more democratic. As will be discussed in this research, many parties have implemented an open primary or a party primary to select prospective candidates as a mean to be more inclusive, democratic and fair. This study shall examine the major external and internal environments, influencing candidate selection in a Maltese political party – the Nationalist Party since the amendments to the party statute in 2013. Like any political party in the world, the candidate selection process in the Nationalist Party is determined by the ‘upper’ levels – the political system and the internal party structures. This research will focus on both contextual variables influencing the process. The size of the Maltese Islands have always influenced its political culture where high levels of patronage and clientelism are embedded among Maltese society and one would not expect candidate selection to be unharmed by this culture. At a party level, the role of the Administrative Council and the Executive make the process more inclusive as the party is looking to regain it electoral attractiveness through the grounds of legitimacy.