At times, we drive past different areas and do not realise changes in the area’s topography. However, I publicly asked why several parking spaces might now be missing due to this boundary wall. What I did not notice was a massive pile of construction rubble sitting behind it. The rubble, or construction waste, has been covered with green mesh all along, the same kind we used to cover our ceilings in summer to protect them from excessive heat. Someone brought this to my attention. Driving towards the Santa Venera tunnels, it is clearly visible. It is worth mentioning because people are asking why this area is changing and why we, who work in the area, including the residents, have to endure this debris pollution. These examples show how small changes can accumulate and why proportionality must guide our assessment of development across different localities.

Surely, I welcome the introduction of protection for Wied iż-Żrinġ and other areas, inter alia, the protection of open spaces that were turned into green spaces and are within the development zone. However, we cannot use these examples as a false equivalence to set aside other narratives for decisions related to excessive development. We need to pay attention to how we frame our narratives. This is not 2015 or 2020 anymore; we are now in 2026, with people demanding different priorities, including protecting the environment and revisiting how we plan and do things. I understand that decisions based on the 2006 rationalisation need to be made, and that we cannot discriminate against those whose land is included in the development zone. However, we need to distinguish between the planning phase and the within-development scheme. The world changed, and so did the way we must do things. The year 2006 is two decades ago. Frankly, the new voters and the electorate hardly remember those years. Those who voted for the first time in this election were not even born when the decision was taken.

My point is simple: proportionality must guide the upcoming applications. By proportionality, I mean practical planning considerations such as height limitations, buffer zones, adequate green lungs, and density thresholds that respect the surrounding communities. In the Swatar development up for a decision next week, proportionality must be applied. I am not saying the development should not be carried out, because that land belongs to private operators and it was the Nationalist Party’s mistake to include it in the development scheme in 2006. Yes, it was a serious mistake, and regardless of what they say or how they try to reshape the narrative, the mistake was theirs. What the Planning Authority can do is apply proportionality to the proposed development. We have spoken a lot about the quality of the local environment as part of the Well-Being Index presented by the party in government, of which I am a member. The quality of the local environment must consider excessive development and the need for adequate green space to provide breathing room in an already highly urbanised area, with densely-populated Msida across the Swatar valley. Therefore, I urge the Planning Authority to apply proportionality when deciding on this application.

Indeed, I registered to attend the hearing and to join the Executive Council web meeting scheduled for 14 July. My point in being present is to honour the promise I made to residents to oversee the planning application and to see what the decision will be. Also, we cannot afford to have only MPs from the other side of the bench articulating a different narrative and shifting blame to the current government, as if it were not their fault that the valley will be developed. What the Planning Authority can do, and we, as MPs, can signal, is that proportionality must guide development and allow for the stipulated buffer between the building spaces and the already highly urbanised area. We, as MPs, are bringing our constituents’ concerns to the public and the authorities.

As a country, we have not only an environmental responsibility but also a social one, because this is not just about altering the environment once and for all, but also about affecting communities and their surroundings. Personally, I could have stayed mum. However, staying mum will not aid the reorganisation of our country’s planning malaise. And it is not faithful towards my constituents and my ESG values. This is not about criticising the project or the developers, or, for all it matters, the Planning Authority, as by now you know that I try to offer Pareto-optimal solutions and find a trade-off that works for everyone when I write about a topic. As I said in my first statement to the media when I was elected MP, my work is related to Environment, Social and Governance. These themes were easily integrated into the current PL’s manifesto. Certainly, I am writing about this because I have been on the ground in Swatar, – otherwise I would not have received 562 first-count votes in just 21 days – heard residents’ concerns and realised how highly urbanised the area has become. And I heard the silent ones, not those that make the most sound. The valley is the only green lung, providing a bit of sanity. Building it all would be a pity and a mistake.

And as I said in my maiden speech, we borrow the environment from future generations. Hence, we have a responsibility as parents, as policymakers, and as politicians of this country.

The post Proportionality must be the guiding principle of Malta’s planning decisions first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

What is happening in Europe, especially in Spain, France and Germany, is abnormal. The record breaking temperatures registered in June – with France experiencing consecutive days above 40°C, Spain registering unprecedented night time heat, and Germany facing severe heat stress alerts – offered a different perspective, especially for those working in this sector. These events are not isolated. They are part of a pattern that climate scientists have been warning about for years. In my work on the prudential side of banking and ESG, I integrate climate change and environmental risks into banks’ Risk Management Frameworks and calculate the Probability of Default and Loss Given Default for every client and sector, accounting for physical and transition risks, using various climate stress testing models and scenarios.

When I started working in this area about five years ago, the political push at EU level was visible and tangible. Locally, we were still seen as aliens. However, the Green Deal was sealed a few years earlier, while the other side of the Atlantic was helpful in transitioning to greener practices, and we had solid engagement with other continents to raise awareness about climate change. Back then, the EU was legislating on reporting requirements, encompassing the CSRD, the SFDR, the Taxonomy Regulation and the CSDDD. After the Draghi Report, the new European Commission, and the re election of President Trump, the EU began revising the reporting requirements for companies and reducing political pressure in this sphere. The results are visible and speak for themselves.

The EU was not prepared to handle many reporting requirements, especially for companies within the EU. The idea was brilliant. However, after the pandemic, the ongoing war in Ukraine and other energy and geopolitical shocks have reduced the political importance of such climate reporting amid increased pressure on private-sector finances. If it were not for the European Central Bank, which pushed for the prudential side of banking, we wouldn’t be discussing such an important topic at EU level. The impact of climate change and the way we need to transition is not simple. We cannot deal with multiple shocks while simultaneously transitioning to green practices. If the current MFF does not provide for this, it will not be possible. If we do not ring fence money in this area, it will be quite difficult. True, we need to build our own defence systems, and upgrade as necessary. However, money allocated to climate defence and company subsidies is crucial to this transition.

We can keep on discussing how to decarbonise Europe. But Europe cannot have two competing topics, considered outliers, leaving economic operators and families on their own. Becoming greener and upgrading our defence and infrastructure to military-grade practices are two competing topics. We need to prioritise climate defence infrastructure and ring-fence funds for it, perhaps alongside military-grade infrastructure when allocating funds. The allocation of funds must be proportionate and assigned in an integrated approach.

When we talk about climate defence, I mean that, beyond the defence priorities on the current EU list, our infrastructure must be climate resilient, not just military proof. What do I mean by this? We need to provide highly urbanised areas with proper water defence systems to protect against flash floods and other climate events. We also need to make our surrounding blocks greener, which I tie as an integrated approach to mental health mitigation. The concept of living in a city without adequate green spaces between blocks exerts excessive pressure not only on our ecosystems but also on our mental well being. We need to mitigate the risk to banks’ collateral by upgrading our infrastructure to climate defence structures. Technology plays an important role in aiding us to achieve such systems, and funding should support that work.

I know many of you might say it’s because I work in the banking industry. However, I am now in politics. Perhaps writing about this topic once again might increase its visibility. Mitigating risks reduces insurance risk premia and enables a better assessment of our collateral against climate-related physical risks. We are all in it. We all need to pull the same rope together to achieve a better Malta, a better Europe and a better world. This concerns not just politicians, but everyone involved in growing our economy, from services to manufacturing to all those who make a profit. We all have a role to play in making this happen.

To close, sincere condolences to the families in France, Spain and Germany. It was truly disturbing to watch and read what happened.

The post Rethinking our global policies to mitigate climate risk events first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Mr President, thank you. Since this is my first time addressing the House, I wish to join my colleagues in congratulating you on your appointment. Certainly, I extend my best wishes and take this opportunity to thank the electorate and personally thank the people of the second and ninth districts, where I contested and was also elected in a casual election.

Mr President, although I once viewed the highest institution of our country from the outside, today I have the privilege of serving the people from within. For this reason, I wish to speak briefly about some topics touched on last Saturday by H. E. the President of Malta, including the economy. When we speak about the economy, we must understand not only the mathematical principles behind it but also the philosophical foundations that shape it. The economy is complex, but we cannot ignore the basics. It is dynamic, not static. We cannot wake up, imagine something, and state it in a context that makes no sense. When I hear colleagues speak about a better quality of life, we must provide context. A better quality of life depends on generating wealth, and wealth comes from economic growth. It is an illusion to claim otherwise. This is simple to understand. If a family works harder year after year to increase its wealth, it does so to improve its economic situation and that of its children. Why? Because if their children ask for help, they can give it. The same applies to the economy. You cannot help your children if you do not generate wealth. The same applies when giving back to the people.

Mr President, let me give some context. When the Labour Party took the helm in 2013, the economic trajectory was very different. The economy stood at €7 billion; today, it is valued at more than €23 billion, having tripled. At that time, we discussed different priorities because the economic context was different. In 2013, we could not speak about the priorities we discuss today. Several families and businesses did not have enough liquidity to cover their electricity and water bills. That is in the past now, and the people want to look forward. Yet it is our duty to present the full picture, not half of it, if we truly want to improve on what has been done. Referring to what H. E. the President said, we all agree the environment must be given priority. The environment is an integral part of social justice. You cannot achieve social justice if you do not respect the environment around us. My work today as an economist is to integrate climate, environmental, social, and governance risks into the banking and financial industry. When I look at the Labour Party’s Int Malta manifesto, I see that the priorities we discuss – those that matter to the people – are written there in consolidated proposals.

In 2013, we needed to accelerate economic growth to exit the excessive deficit procedure and sustain our economic sovereignty. The European Commission could revoke all our economic and fiscal freedoms by rejecting our national budget if the fiscal situation were weak. The context was different then because the economic situation did not allow what we do today. It is good that today we speak about what we want, sometimes with a full list, even an à la carte menu. But back then, we discussed how people would cope with energy price instability being passed onto them. As politicians, we must be responsible. What we say must respect people and provide a proper context.

Let me speak briefly about the environment. The environment is borrowed from future generations. We cannot continue treating it in isolation. I accepted the invitation to contest the election with the Labour Party because the Int Malta manifesto addresses the environment, social policy, and governance in a holistic, integrated, and balanced way. The ambitious Well-Being Index will give a different dimension of measurement, not to diminish the importance of economic growth, but to complement it. This index, for the first time, binds a governing party to greater scrutiny. One of the ten dimensions – the second – is the quality of the local environment. We must protect what shapes our culture, natural capital, and identity. Moreover, as politicians, we must be empathetic to people’s needs and protect the sense of community that complements our well-being. The Labour Party in government has delivered much on the social front in recent years. Social policy is close to my heart, and we must treat it in an integrated way alongside the environment, not in isolation. We can do this because we have generated wealth over the years.

I welcome H. E. the President’s remarks on affordable housing. It is a theme I have campaigned on for the past four years. I am pleased this important theme now features prominently in the Int Malta manifesto as a support measure, complemented by the Well-Being Index under Dimension 5. We must never stop addressing this theme. We must also ensure any anomalies are corrected and push harder to balance housing market speculation by accelerating the supply of affordable accommodation. Mr President, I come from a generation that had to work hard to go farther in life. We lived without technology and went through a full transition. That transition brought improvements in how we live and greater efficiency. But every efficiency we try to maximise works against us in the sense that the more we want, the more we lose the sense of community we were raised in, not because we want to, but because we accelerate the pace of life.

In economics, we call this the J-Curve Paradox or, in simpler terms, human nature wanting more. We cannot say this happened because the government grew the economy. On the contrary, today we are in a better economic position because, as a nation, we seized every opportunity – whoever created them. Now that we are in a different economic position, we must take the next step and speak about sustainability, including environmental sustainability, which means a better quality of life. We must ensure that what we plan today – even in architecture – respects the country’s character, and this priority must be given. As politicians, we have the moral duty not only to make decisions and speak with conviction but also to understand, explain, and propose solutions. A country’s success does not come from partisanship but from reaching compromises. Compromises for the good of the people must be the norm of this House, not the exception. If we do not protect future generations, we will be remembered as weak. When the electoral campaign opened, there was a national consensus that the economy was strong, securing the Labour Party’s re-election for the good work it had done.

Mr President, maturity dictates we must move away from populist narratives. We must never speak disparagingly about those who help us grow and generate economic wealth – especially workers, whoever they are. The economy is built on capital and labour. In this context, I appeal that when irregularities occur, we address the irregularities – not the person or their nationality. Human dignity must be fully preserved and respected. In a geopolitically turbulent world that has changed how we live as a continent and nation, we must be even more careful with our words. As a nation, we have always been welcoming, and we must avoid turning workers or businesses into scapegoats through narratives unworthy of this Parliament. Being here is a privileged position. Mr President, from here I appeal that whenever we have discussions, we act with maturity, consider what we say, and return to the ideological principles we believe in – not only as political parties but as a nation within the European Union.

Thank you.

The post My maiden speech first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The system functions in such a way that, in a by-election, all candidates who fall during the counting process start from zero if the candidate ceding the seat was elected with no inherited votes from other candidate, irrespective of their first preference votes given to them by the electorate. Moreover, the reachable quota is half the official quota in the district plus one. The system is somewhat complex because, in the case of the seat vacated by Dr Grima, all candidates started at zero, and the same applied to that of the Prime Minister. However, if the ninth district had been counted before the second district, I would have started with 340 votes that I had transferred to Dr Falzon before my name fell on the day of the counting. This is a tricky part, and I would like to explain it further. On the day of the casual election, the Electoral Commission, in agreement with the Party’s representatives, follows a draw. It is literally like a Super Five chance. The order in which the districts of those who ceded their seats are counted is determined by sheer luck.

In my case, the first counting started with the seat vacated by Dr Grima, in which Rebecca Buttigieg was elected ahead of me with almost 90 votes. Then the second district followed, which was the seat vacated by the Prime Minister. In this case, I was not expecting to be elected after a few counts because the strategy employed during my campaign was to ask for the third and fourth preferences of other co-candidates rather than the second preference. The reason was that the first preference was always expected to be given to the Prime Minister, and the second preference to candidates who had toured and worked the district longer than I had. However, the game changer was the third and fourth preferences, which I asked many of my supporters and people on the ground to give me for an eventual by-election. And those were the third preferences of Ministers Clyde Caruana, Byron Camilleri and others. Indeed, the strategy worked, as I managed to garner most of the third preferences of the other candidates, in addition to extra second preferences after the Prime Minister. When the by-election of the Prime Minister opened, I was at around 1,250 votes. In the final count, I was elected from the second district, taking the seat vacated by the Prime Minister. Indeed, I am humbled.

After the second district was counted, the ninth district ensued. Obviously, my name was eliminated from the ninth district since I had already been elected on the second district. This opened the space for other candidates, in particular the mayor of Għargħur, Mariah Meli, who was the runner-up. If the ninth district following the by-election of Dr Falzon had been drawn to be counted before the second district, the story would have been different. Why? Because I would have been elected from the ninth district, while in the second district there would have been another name, given that my name would have been eliminated from the second district. Therefore, in truth, luck does favour you in such instances. This process is somewhat complex, and for this reason strategies differ from one candidate to another. In my case, since I submitted my nomination as a PL candidate later than others, it was not easy to compete in a district known for the big names. However, given that my profile and branding were already public due to the MEP elections campaign two years earlier, people seemed to have responded and voted for me as well, even if they were third and fourth preference. In truth, in the MEP elections I had around 36,000 second and third preferences and leveraged on this. Besides, I kept on listening to people’s concerns over the past two years and tried my best to assist where it was merited.

Certainly, I must thank the people who helped me achieve this result in just 21 days. We were a small group of volunteers across both the second and ninth districts. I did not even have an office when I submitted my nomination. In fact, we met at a restaurant in Marsaskala to devise a plan on how we would proceed with the campaign. Gradually, people started joining the team. We managed to achieve remarkable results in 21 days, even setting up my office in Bormla, which I own and which had been in a bit of a dilapidated state for two years. Thanks to my brother and a childhood friend, we completed it in a week. I must express sincere gratitude to several people, especially three close friends in the ninth district who truly supported me, and together we managed to garner around 562 first-count votes in that district. The people of the ninth district received me with enthusiasm, and that is something I truly cherish. It is a district that I will continue to represent for the next five years, just like the second district.

Lastly, I would like to make an appeal to those who were not elected. I firmly believe that you still have a lot to contribute. Had I given up after the MEP elections, I would not be here today. It is true that I was not originally planning to run for the current general election, and it is equally true that I was in the background supporting the PL. However, when the Prime Minister asked me several times to put forward my name as a candidate, I accepted. In the end, when the Party calls, we all contribute. Whether we contribute as frontline candidates, in logistics, customer care, or social media, we all play a role. And that is what truly matters. Your contribution is certainly valuable.

The post When loyalty is rewarded – thank you, Districts 2 and 9 first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

This shows the government’s commitment to protecting the environment, and especially agricultural land. As I have reiterated over the years, this commitment must be backed by a top-down approach. If we allow laissez-faire decisions without strategic involvement, this will also affect the country’s food security, especially agricultural land, and we will lose our direction as a socialist government. Frankly, I am pro-business as an economist, to the point that it does not impinge on the collective. Truthfully, I am glad that the first Cabinet decision signals the newly-elected government’s commitment to protecting the environment.

Looking back at the PL’s campaign and the manifesto, Int Malta, the well-being index stresses the importance of protection and the quality of the local environment. If we do not protect the environment, we will have a problem with the well-being index. It is the first time in history that a Maltese political party has bound itself to a well-being index distinct from the costings of its electoral manifesto. I am glad to also see the ministers at full speed, following up on cases. I have already received some of the cases they got back to me on, and they are in contact to resolve some of the issues that matter to them, which are also merited and have lingered for years due to excessive bureaucracy.

Having said this, the PL still needs to focus on areas that require particular attention when it comes to the protection of the environment, among others are issues related to some areas and towns I visited as part of the general election campaign in the ninth district. I will have enough time in the coming weeks to talk about them and to write about these matters. Certainly, I had the opportunity to write about them before the general election and during the campaign, and I will not shy away from repeating them. As you all know, I am quite fond of the environment and nature. Being an economist does not mean that one excludes the other. Without a healthy environment, we cannot have a healthy population, a productive workforce, and a healthy economy. If you tell me what you want to continue focusing on in the coming years, the topics that are dear to me are the environment, social, and governance.

Besides the environment, I work on ESG within the Banking and Financial Industry. I am quite happy to keep promoting the topic because we also need an integrated approach among the local government, the banking industry, the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, and the funds to be allocated for infrastructure projects to mitigate physical climate risks. Furthermore, nature and its restoration, as well as the protection of biodiversity, are topics we must not overlook. On the social part, I ran on a socialist party ticket, and no matter how pro-business we are in creating wealth, we must never forget our roots. By no means am I in favour of taking from others to give to others for matters that are not merited. We all need to work hard to achieve a better standard of living.

However, the government must step in to assist where needed, especially when market forces are outpricing our younger generation. This is why the Int Malta manifesto promotes affordable housing. It is another topic that requires immediate attention. I wrote about this last week. This measure will provide a different perspective on loans, especially the 25% interest-free loans. This is the government’s commitment and social side, which will be promoted in the current legislature.

Another topic that requires attention is governance in many decisions taken at the authority level. True, bureaucracy breeds governance. However, excessive bureaucracy is halting government performance. Allowing this excessive bureaucracy is not helping to achieve several national-interest projects. I look forward to seeing the manifesto implemented. Certainly, the competence of the ministers in charge will make this happen. And it will, in the end, result in the good of the collective.

The post The environment must be a top priority first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

However, the PL must take note of the result and analyse what happened. It is only normal that a party in government for so many years starts losing its majority. One of the PL’s biggest mistakes in government was the performance of certain authorities and the public sector. Besides, some of the injustices perpetuated by the PN administration – which were promised to be addressed prior to PM Robert Abela’s leadership – were never addressed or only partially addressed, creating another injustice.

Another topic that is resurfacing is affordable housing, an area I have been writing about and discussing in recent years. The problem of rent, as well as housing prices, has become a sore point for many. We need to revise rent subsidies and accelerate the process of building as many affordable housing units as possible. The PL campaigned on a manifesto that introduced several measures to address affordable housing, including a 25% interest‑free loan.

Now, the PL in government must accelerate the implementation of the manifesto in its entirety. We must avoid past mistakes. The imperative here is to address the problem of those creating obstacles with requests for transfers, as well as to ensure that those halting any processes for government projects are removed from any position of power. Another issue that came up during this campaign is the problem of foreigners working in Malta. We must understand that some menial jobs must be executed by them; otherwise, we would have a problem. What the Maltese are not tolerating is the preference given to foreign workers over many locals. We do have a problem here, as this was another issue I noticed when meeting people.

Likewise, the traffic problem must be given priority. It’s not that we will eliminate traffic, but we can do better with the management of our road infrastructure, as well as with the work‑from‑home policy, morning appointments, and university and MCAST lectures. The PL did a lot of good and improved the lives of many, including pensioners. However, we must address those pockets that are not feeling the success of economic growth.

What PM Abela must do is surround himself with technical people, including political economists. Having an economist in politics is quite rare, and this is important. Policies must not be designed by regulators, but by economists who can understand the electorate’s concerns. Let’s be honest with ourselves: we could have done better in implementing national projects, including the upgrade of road infrastructure. However, there were other priorities, including cushioning the impact of the Ukrainian war and the ensuing energy shocks, which compounded into inflation that people could not cope with. Likewise, the problem of the Iranian war and the instability it created in the Middle East.

The PL must ensure the acceleration of projects of national importance and, as soon as possible, implement the policies outlined in the manifesto pertaining to social and affordable housing, as well as the SME Boost tax cuts. There are many other proposals in the manifesto which I want to see executed as soon as possible. However, the top priorities are affordable housing and the SME Boost tax cuts. SMEs need additional liquidity, just like our younger generation, as well as singles, separated, or divorced individuals, who need security when purchasing a dwelling.

The Maltese housing market changed, and so did the composition of our demography. What did not change is the way we tackle the problems created by economic success. We did not keep pace with the acceleration of economic growth. And this is why the electorate sent a message to the PL, even though the roughly 22,000 votes helped secure a strong mandate to implement the projects and the Int Malta manifesto.

Lastly, I wish I could contribute more to the country and to the PL. However, it is now up to the by‑election, which is expected to open in the coming days. Good luck to all those contesting.

The post Moving forward first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

For example, during my teenage years, I befriended someone from San Ġwann and became familiar with much of the Mensija area. I continue to spend Saturday mornings in San Ġwann, where I have established relationships with several residents while running errands. Swieqi is another locality where I have spent considerable time with close friends, fostering an attachment to the area. Għarghur, where Ray’s maternal family originates, holds particular significance for me, evoking memories of Auntie Vitor and Ray’s mother, Żarena. Choosing another district proved challenging, as I felt it would be unfair to run in a district alongside colleagues I had recently supported. So, it was natural to choose the ninth district.

After more than three weeks of campaigning, I have observed that the second and ninth districts require distinct policy approaches. The second district faces urgent social housing challenges, particularly regarding the timely completion of units in Hanover (Bormla). Over the past four years, I have advocated for the prompt delivery of these units. The PL’s manifesto addresses affordable housing within the current economic context, an issue I am deeply committed to and have consistently campaigned for. As someone hailing from the second district, I am acutely aware of the community’s needs. Many residents seek little more than secure shelter and the opportunity to improve their lives. Some face insufficient income to maintain a decent standard of living or are excluded from qualifying for social housing. I recognise that social housing should not be a permanent entitlement. Individuals who experience improved circumstances should be provided with a transition period and, if appropriate, transition to affordable housing options. Addressing these issues is essential in the short- to medium-term.

Conversely, the ninth district requires targeted economic and environmental policies. In Swieqi, for example, residents struggle to open their windows during summer due to bitumen production coming from distant but yet close zones, which negatively affects their air quality, and the quality of life. I have engaged with residents who contacted me through social media and email, and I fully support their concerns. It is imperative that authorities intervene to ensure collective interests are protected over private gains. This is not a topic I am speaking about now. I have been advocating for better environmental management, and social matters for more than four years.

In Swatar, the community awaits a decision on a significant development project originating from the 2006 rationalisation under a PN government. The transformation of ODZ land in this valley raises concerns, particularly regarding the inclusion of a sufficient green buffer space. While private land development is understood, proportionality must guide such decisions to safeguard residents’ quality of life. On the other hand, in Pietà, increased traffic and problematic traffic lights in Msida and other areas exacerbate congestion. It is essential that residents are consulted before implementing pedestrian projects. This is what I believe, and compromises must be the norm not the exception.

Certainly, additional issues remain to be addressed, and time constraints prevented me from covering every locality in detail. I have valued the opportunity to engage with residents and learn about the realities of both districts. I respectfully request your support and assure you of my continued commitment to residents, regardless of the outcome. Observing how both districts evolve in the coming months will be insightful, particularly if the PL is re-elected. While some individuals express disappointment with certain candidates, ministers, or parliamentary secretaries, I encourage you not to abstain from voting. Instead, consider supporting new candidates on the PL’s ticket to effect change. Abstaining may inadvertently enable those who have disappointed you to be re-elected. Therefore, I urge you to participate in the election and make an informed choice. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge the PL’s contributions to economic growth, social support, and national stability over the past few years.

Finally, I think Dr Robert Abela deserves another chance. His leadership contributed to continued stability. And frankly, Dr Abela has had to govern under exceptionally challenging circumstances, from shifting geopolitical realities and a global pandemic to yet another energy crisis stemming from the Middle East. Surely, we need to choose between stability and the unknown. And people stand to lose what they have achieved in the past years. The PL in government delivered most of its promises and improved people’s lives. Risking everything for an unknown recipe is not the best option. Hence, choose wisely.

The post Examining some of the realities of the second and ninth districts first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Certainly, I had some time to read through the Nationalist Party’s pamphlet. One of the proposals that struck me was the paternity leave proposal under the Social Policy Chapter, proposal number 2. Here, the Nationalist Party is proposing a six-week fully paid paternity leave. However, those with a memory of an elephant remember that on Mother’s Day, the Leader of the Opposition proposed an extension of fully paid paternity leave of four weeks. The information is in the public domain; just Google Net News online. And legitimately, we ask, which version is correct?

Another contradiction concerns the proposal for renewable energy. Here, the Nationalist Party’s pamphlet states, under the Clean Energy Chapter, that it aims to reach a 30% renewable energy target by 2030, specifically under proposal number 8. However, under the Chapter Innovation, R&D and Digital Sectors, specifically proposal number 24, the Nationalist Party is proposing a 50% renewable energy target by 2030. The day after publishing their pamphlet, the Nationalist Party issued a statement correcting the figures after the media flagged them. I am mentioning it as it’s only fair to be true to what we are analysing and not to mislead our readers. Here, we can state that the Nationalist Party was not ready for a general election, despite its insistence that it would be ready whenever the general election was announced.

Another proposal the Nationalist Party is pledging is to reward university students with the equivalent of National Contribution for the years spent studying, a measure already implemented and in place. The credit for years spent at university contributing toward our future pensions is already in place, so in truth, it is a redundant proposal. What we have here is a situation where the electorate must decide which party will provide stability for their families. I was also let down by not finding anything relating to IVF. Whereas the PL is pledging an additional two cycles, up to five, fully covered by the state. And this boils down to empathy, and assistance to families. Before 2013, families trying to conceive babies through IVF were left on their own. Thereafter, the situation changed, and the PL assisted in amending the laws and conditions to provide greater clarity and support to families.

There are other proposals of the PN, which I wanted to cover in this weekly column. However, I also need to talk about the PL’s proposals. As I have already stated, one of the proposals I am most passionate about is the Affordable Housing proposal. We acknowledge that the increase in GDP and our economic success has brought new challenges to our families. And we must follow this not through statistics but through empathy. Surely, we, as economists, know quite well what families require, because over the past 13 years, the PL has stood shoulder to shoulder with them and the business sector. And they did it out of conviction, not convenience. The PL’s manifesto is clear. We need to go to another level.

The Wellbeing Index is ingenious, and we must seriously consider what’s being proposed to improve the quality of life. The PL is now presenting a manifesto that addresses the challenges of economic success. Gone are the days of an economy of €7 billion. With an economy of €24 billion we can now provide better assistance to our families, not least increases in students’ stipends, assistance with tax credit to our businesses, and additional measures such as the super bonus, the increase in pensions up to €50 per week, the 25% interest-free for first-time buyers and those priced out of the market, the €30,000 tax exemption for the younger generation, and the list goes on. Besides, the PL is pledging a target of a 4% annual GDP increase per annum during the legislature. The idea is to increase economic growth through sectors that add greater value, such as FinTech, Gaming, and Advanced Manufacturing, Family Offices, Prediction Markets, as well as new sectors like eResidency. These require limited space in a small territory and a less labour-intensive supply.

And the electorate will be analysing while they watch us, politicians, debate ideas and discuss our proposals on TV. They know in their hearts that the PL generated significant wealth and distributed it to families and businesses. What they will be asking before they enter the voting booth is whether they risk losing what they have achieved over the past years under a PL government or step into an uncertain and unknown territory. And the analysis will be done not because the Nationalist Party’s proposals are better, but because the PL’s manifesto is superior, and they delivered on their promises from 2013 onwards, unlike preceding Nationalist Party administrations.

My interest is that the younger generation requires a financial and economic boost to achieve their aspirations and dreams when they finish their studies or drop out of school with brilliant start-up ideas. And that financial and economic boost can only be given by the PL in government. As we did with their parents, and the older generation, Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Digital Natives know that there is only one party in Malta that can fulfil their dreams. And that party is the PL in government. The PL was always open to new ideas. And the testament of this is its track record. I urge you to read the PL’s manifesto, the proposal therein, and analyse what’s in it for them and for you, too.

The post It is all about credibility! first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

After my submission, I was interviewed by the media. I was asked what my top priorities are for the second and ninth districts, which I am contesting. For the former, I campaigned for more affordable housing units and stronger social policies. For the latter, there are decisions to be taken in the near future, and my top priority in this district is protecting the environment and safeguarding nature and biodiversity. We cannot have a situation in this country where the PL is campaigning for a better living, and others disregard the country’s pledges. My top priority will be the environment, which I have been working on for the past four years in the banking and financial industry, alongside social and governance issues.

For the environment, I want to see better coordination between the multiple entities that govern this country. Also, I want to see better safeguards on how we decide on parcels of land, especially in highly urbanised areas. My pledge of the right to adequate green space in highly urbanised areas, which I proposed during the MEP campaign, is here to stay. I want to see a different Malta. A Malta that promotes the environment and nature before excessive development. I am happy to see people earning money, developing sustainably, and aiding their families and children. Who doesn’t? However, we need to have safeguards in place. And this is why the environment is a top priority for me. This ties with the social and the well-being of citizens in affected communities. We cannot achieve social justice if we do not safeguard our future resources, because resource exploitation comes at the expense of the collective. Which in turn ties to governance. We need a stronger framework and better governance structures for the environment.

There were many improvements over the years with the establishment of the Building Construction Authority. However, we need to do more to put people’s minds at rest. We’ve reached a crossroads, and Malta clearly deserves stronger safeguards. I am happy to be on the PL’s ticket. And this is why I am running a different campaign relative to others. Surely, my loyalty remains towards the PL. However, proposing policies to aid the country doesn’t mean abandoning loyalty. I am an economist by profession. True, principles do not change unless there are grave matters that require prioritising the collective interest over individual interests. Right now, the PL is the only party that proposed a well-being index and a costed manifesto. So far, we haven’t seen anything at this level. We saw other proposals that cast doubt without providing a proper cost analysis. The PL is pledging to increase the well-being index by 25% over the baseline in the upcoming five years, which aligns with Malta Vision 2050. The proposals have been studied, and the finance minister knows they are executable on both implementation and financial grounds. The idea of a manifesto with a well-being index is contemporary and one we have been waiting for over the past few years.

The proposal for affordable housing measures and a 25% interest-free mortgage is a brilliant idea. We needed this to help first-time buyers planning to purchase a new dwelling. I already said that this proposal is one I have been campaigning for and is among the best, providing social justice and security to many individuals. Whether we like it or not, we must admit that the PL in government has brought a revolution over the past years, with an increase in median income and better social benefits. We can do more. But the most pressing issues are now being addressed in the current manifesto.

Certainly, if the electors of the second and ninth districts give me their trust, I will never disappoint them. I will be there to continue assisting people as I have over the past years. I am a different politician. I debate ideas and propose solutions. I did not spend my years bickering and whining about everything without giving solutions. Au contraire, I used this weekly column as a vehicle for ideas. I propose ideas, others take note and implement. This is how we must make politics. We use every medium to promote change. And you, who are reading, must also bring change. Change can’t happen by staying at home. If there were politicians who disappointed you, simply vote for others; just don’t change the party. Thank you for the support you have given me so far. You know I respect you and love you. Two more weeks to go.

The post My top priorities are the Environment, Social and Governance first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

I understand that it is not easy to re enter politics once you exit. I thought it was going to be a short lived experience, given that I ruled it out back in 2024, right after the MEP elections. However, when the PL presented the manifesto, I realised that it would have been a shame to be left out of what I have been campaigning for – inter alia, affordable housing and aid for those in need. The idea of a 25% interest free loan to cover accommodation is indeed commendable. Certainly, the policies that the PL is currently proposing are designed to address some of the anomalies, as well as those pockets that are not reaping the benefits of economic growth.

When people ask me whether these proposals are sustainable and whether they will add to the country’s debt, the answer must be given in relative terms. This means that if the economy keeps growing, and we address these pockets to improve the quality of life of many, then it is sustainable. We always speak of additional economic growth, but we fall short in asking what it comes at the expense of. Seeing the PL’s manifesto addressing these lacunas and pockets is indeed commendable. True, after the MEP elections, I wasn’t keen on re entering politics. However, my passion to aid people and serve the country, as I did in previous posts before joining the private sector, made me reconsider. Surely, what I campaigned for was simply to stand shoulder to shoulder with families, especially those less advantaged. I am not here promoting laziness. I am promoting what we must do as a state to provide the tools to elevate people. I can express this because I grew up in a deprived environment. Material well being wasn’t the norm. We struggled to make it in life, especially in Bormla and Cottonera. The stigma was certainly untoward and unfair to us. However, when given the right opportunities, we exploited them and moved forward.

My vision is wider, and I want to see the PL’s manifesto executed if the electorate gives Prime Minister Robert Abela another chance. Many observers argue that Dr Abela has demonstrated leadership, keeping Malta afloat through economic storms and geopolitical shocks over the past few years. Surely, having a manifesto that offers a well being index tied to all the policies presented is unprecedented. Commentators note that no other political party has ever achieved such a milestone. This aligns with what I have campaigned for in the private industry, in banking and finance. So, I think it is important to keep pushing these ideas against the backdrop of Malta Vision 2050. One of the proposals I pushed for over the past two years was proper remote working, as well as flexi time. I tied this to improving efficiency in terms of time and reducing emissions. The proposal can help alleviate some of the traffic problems. It is also in line with the EU’s direction on decarbonising the continent.

The PL presented several proposals that aim to help families. When you consider these policies in light of what is happening abroad, one might question their feasibility. However, when seen in isolation and relative to economic growth and public finance management, one realises that it is indeed possible to implement the policies presented so far. What we need to ensure is that the PL clearly explains the policies to the public, as they are doing. My role is to aid the PL in promoting such policies. As you all know, I have never had any problem criticising government policies when needed, and I have been quite blunt and explicit. We need to ensure that whatever is promised to the electorate is executable and well thought out.

What is being proposed on the other side is a different story. I have not been convinced by the energy proposal, which many analysts consider crucial for stability. The solar panel proposal seems half-baked. The refuelling hub proposal is to consider LNG, which is seen as a source of clean energy in transition by 2035. Thereafter, we would need to rethink how to do business. An investment that will take years to realise and become outdated before it is even realised in terms of EU policy direction. Some experts would have considered other energy sources in line with EU policy.

To conclude, what I said this week on TV is that if Dom Mintoff were still alive, he would be shoulder to shoulder with us, campaigning for this manifesto. It is a manifesto that promotes socialist leaning policies. And for this, I must thank the Prime Minister and the PL for listening to us, and to the public, when designing it. Thank you. I am happy to be part of the PL’s formidable team. Let’s do this.

The post Re-entering politics first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.