Election Desk: Freebies Galore, But Where’s the Beef?

As the sun sets over the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, the political circus is in full swing. The 2022 Maltese general election is just around the corner, and the promises are flying thick and fast. But as we sift through the manifestoes, one thing stands out: the word ‘free’ is being bandied about like confetti at the Malta International Fireworks Festival.

Energy: The New Currency

With energy prices soaring, it’s no surprise that every party is promising to make electricity cheaper. The Labour Party (PL) is pledging to make energy ‘free’ for low-income households, while the Nationalist Party (PN) promises to cap electricity bills. But how do they plan to make good on these promises?

PL’s manifesto is light on details, merely stating that they’ll ‘review’ energy subsidies and ‘explore’ new ways to help consumers. PN, on the other hand, promises to invest in renewable energy and improve energy efficiency. But neither party has provided a clear roadmap or cost breakdown.

Dr. Marthese Portelli, an energy expert at the University of Malta, tells Hot Malta, “While these promises are welcome, we need to see the math. How will they fund these initiatives? Where will the money come from?”

Loans: A Handout or a Hand Up?

Both parties are also promising to make loans ‘free’ for students and first-time homebuyers. PL wants to scrap interest on student loans, while PN promises to make mortgages interest-free for first-timers.

But again, the details are scarce. PL’s manifesto merely states that they’ll ‘review’ the student loan scheme, while PN says they’ll ‘explore’ how to make mortgages more affordable. Neither party has explained how they’ll fund these initiatives or how they’ll ensure the loans are paid back.

Dr. Joseph Farrugia, an economist at the University of Malta, warns, “Free loans sound great, but we need to consider the long-term implications. How will these loans be repaid? What happens if the borrowers can’t pay back? These are questions we need answers to.”

The Devil in the Details

With the election just weeks away, time is running out for the parties to provide more concrete details. As it stands, their promises of ‘free’ this and ‘free’ that read more like a wishlist than a realistic plan.

Hot Malta reached out to both parties for comment, but neither responded by the time of publication. Perhaps they’re busy working on those pesky details.

So, Malta, as you head to the polls, remember to ask the tough questions. Don’t just look at the shiny promises. Dig deep. Demand details. Because in an election, as in life, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

As the late, great Maltese politician Eddie Fenech Adami once said, “Politics is the art of the possible.” Let’s hope our politicians are aiming for the possible, not the pie-in-the-sky.