In the heart of Valletta, at the bustling St. George’s Square, a group of activists unfurl a banner. It reads: “Who’s funding our politics?” This is not a rhetorical question, but a call to action by the Daphne Foundation, seeking answers that could reshape Malta’s political scene.

Malta’s Political Financing: A Murky Picture

Malta’s political parties are privately funded, with donors remaining anonymous. This lack of transparency has long been a concern, with critics arguing it could lead to undue influence. The Daphne Foundation, named after slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia who exposed high-level corruption, is now at the forefront of a campaign to change this.

According to the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue, political parties declared a total of €12.5 million in donations between 2013 and 2019. But who are the donors? What are their interests? And how much influence do they wield? These are questions that have remained largely unanswered.

Daphne Foundation’s Proposed Reforms

The Daphne Foundation has proposed a series of reforms to bring transparency to political financing. These include:

• Mandatory disclosure of all political donations, including the identity of donors and the amounts given.
• Real-time reporting of donations to the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue, with updates published online.
• Strict limits on donations from individuals and companies to prevent undue influence.

“We’re not suggesting that all donations are corrupt,” says Matthew Caruana Galizia, son of Daphne and a leading figure in the foundation. “But without transparency, it’s impossible to know. And that’s a problem.”

Resistance and Support

Not everyone is on board with the proposed reforms. Some political parties argue that disclosure could deter donors, leading to a drop in funding. Others worry about the potential for harassment of donors who make their identities public.

Yet, there’s also significant support. Civil society groups, including Repubblika and Aditus Foundation, have thrown their weight behind the campaign. Even some political parties, like the Partit Demokratiku, have pledged to adopt the reforms internally, regardless of whether they become law.

“This is about more than just donations,” says Helena Dalli, Partit Demokratiku leader. “It’s about trust. And we need to rebuild that trust, one transparent step at a time.”

: The Fight for Transparency

The road to reform is long and winding. But the Daphne Foundation is undeterred. They’re organizing public meetings, collecting signatures, and lobbying politicians. They’re also planning a series of public events, including a march in Valletta later this year.

“We won’t stop until we see real change,” says Matthew Caruana Galizia. “Our democracy deserves nothing less.”