Abela’s Pledge: “We Know We Can Deliver” – A Promise to Malta

Under the warm glow of a summer’s evening at the Labour Party’s headquarters in Pietà, Prime Minister Robert Abela stood before a sea of blue and red, his voice echoing the confidence of a man who believes he has the keys to Malta’s future. “We know we can deliver on all our promises,” he declared, his words met with thunderous applause from the crowd.

Promises Kept, Promises Yet to Come

Abela’s assertion comes at a time when his government is facing both praise and scrutiny for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic recovery. The Labour Party’s election manifesto, ‘Promise for Malta’, was a sprawling document filled with pledges on everything from healthcare to housing. As Malta inches towards its post-pandemic future, the question on many minds is: how many of these promises have been kept, and how many are still to come?

Take, for instance, the promise to increase the minimum wage. In February 2021, the government delivered on this, raising it to €9.10 an hour. A tangible change that has put more money in the pockets of Malta’s lowest earners. But what about the pledge to build 1,000 new affordable homes by 2027? The first few projects are underway, but the scale of this promise is vast, and the deadline is still years away.

From Promises to Progress: A Look at Abela’s Record

Abela’s government has made strides in other areas. The ‘JobsPlus’ scheme, aimed at helping businesses retain employees during the pandemic, has been widely praised. The government’s handling of the COVID-19 vaccination drive has also been lauded, with Malta one of the most vaccinated countries in the world. Yet, challenges remain. The economy, while showing signs of recovery, is still not back to its pre-pandemic levels. Unemployment, though falling, is still higher than it was in 2019.

Abela’s supporters point to the government’s handling of the pandemic as evidence of their ability to deliver. “They kept us safe, they kept us moving forward,” says Maria, a Labour Party activist from Birkirkara. Critics, however, argue that the government has been too slow to address the economic fallout from the pandemic and that more needs to be done to support businesses and families.

: The Promises Yet to Come

Abela’s speech in Pietà was a look back at what his government has achieved, but it was also a look forward. He spoke of plans to transform Malta into a “green island”, to invest in education and technology, and to create a more equal society. These are grand promises, ones that will take time and significant resources to fulfill.

As Malta continues to of the post-pandemic world, one thing is clear: the government’s ability to deliver on its promises will be a key factor in the upcoming elections. Abela’s confidence in Pietà was infectious, but whether it will translate into votes.

As for the Prime Minister, he remains steadfast in his belief. “We know we can deliver,” he says. “We have the plan, we have the team, and we have the will. And we will deliver.”