Imagine walking down Republic Street, Malta’s bustling heart, and seeing a political billboard every few steps. Now, imagine knowing exactly who paid for each one. That’s the vision of the Daphne Foundation, advocating for transparency in political financing. But who’s currently financing Malta’s politics, and how transparent are these transactions?

Malta’s political parties are primarily funded through donations and membership fees. However, the lack of detailed disclosure requirements makes it challenging to track these funds. The Electoral Commission, responsible for regulating political financing, only requires parties to declare the total amount of donations over €1,000, but not the donors’ identities.

Take, for instance, the 2019 European Parliament elections. The Labour Party declared €1.3 million in donations, while the Nationalist Party declared €800,000. But without knowing who these donors are, it’s like walking down Republic Street and seeing a billboard with no name attached.

The Daphne Foundation, named after the late journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, is advocating for a change. They propose amending the law to require political parties to disclose the identity of all donors, regardless of the amount. This, they argue, would deter corruption and boost public trust.

“We’re not suggesting that donations should be banned,” says Manuel Delia, a member of the Daphne Foundation. “But transparency is key. The public has a right to know who’s influencing our politics.”

Malta is not alone in grappling with political financing transparency. Internationally, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has repeatedly urged Malta to strengthen its regulations. Locally, civil society groups and opposition parties have echoed the Daphne Foundation’s calls.

In 2020, the government announced plans to introduce a new law on political financing, but details are yet to be revealed. Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has proposed increasing the threshold for anonymous donations to €5,000.

However, the Daphne Foundation argues that any meaningful reform must include full disclosure of all donors, regardless of the amount. “We’re not asking for the moon,” says Delia. “Just a bit of sunlight.”

The debate around political financing transparency is far from over. As the government works on its new law, the Daphne Foundation continues to push for full disclosure. Meanwhile, the public can engage in the conversation, demanding transparency and accountability from their political representatives.

Next time you walk down Republic Street, look at those billboards. Ask yourself: who’s behind them? And then, ask your politicians the same question.