In a recent post on Instagram, former MEP Cyrus Engerer criticised the rapid spread of political banners and billboards across Malta following the announcement of the general election.Engerer wrote that within hours of the election being called, streets across the country had become “a mosaic of the same banners,” raising concerns about visual saturation and the impact on public spaces.While acknowledging that political parties have the right to communicate their messages, he argued that there is a “fine line between communication and occupation,” suggesting that the scale of outdoor campaigning risks overwhelming citizens rather than engaging them meaningfully.He questioned whether the constant visibility of campaign materials reflects a deeper lack of trust between voters and politicians, stating that people should not be treated simply as audiences to be repeatedly exposed to the same imagery.Engerer also pointed out that Malta remains one of the few countries where political advertising in public spaces is largely self-regulated by the same parties responsible for placing the material, calling this a structural issue within the system.In a further criticism, he highlighted what he described as “publicly funded government banners” at cultural sites such as the EXPO and Biennale being covered by political campaign material, raising concerns about the use of shared public visibility during an election period.His remarks add to ongoing debate in Malta about election advertising, public space, and the intensity of visual campaigning during tightly contested electoral periods.Do you agree with Engerer?•