Imagine this: a quiet street in the heart of Valletta, the sun casting a warm glow on the historic buildings. A group of activists, armed with clipboards and determination, stand outside the Parliament, collecting signatures. They’re not protesting a new law, but fighting for a fundamental change in how our democracy works – transparency in political finance.

The Daphne Foundation, named after the late journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia who was a relentless advocate for transparency, is at the forefront of this campaign. Their latest proposal seeks to shine a light on who’s financing Malta’s politics, and how.

Currently, Malta’s political finance scene is shrouded in secrecy. Parties are not legally obligated to disclose their donors, leaving the public in the dark about who’s influencing our political agenda. This lack of transparency raises questions about the integrity of our democracy.

Consider this: in the 2019 European Parliament elections, only 17% of parties declared their donors. The rest? A mystery. The Daphne Foundation argues that this opacity allows for undue influence and corruption to thrive, undermining the very principles of democracy.

The Daphne Foundation has proposed a set of reforms to bring transparency to political finance in Malta. Their key suggestions include:

• Mandatory Disclosure: Political parties should be legally required to disclose all donations over €500.
• Real-Time Reporting: Disclosures should be made in real-time, not just once a year, to allow for immediate public scrutiny.
• Anonymous Donations Ban: Donations made anonymously should be prohibited to prevent ‘dirty money’ from influencing politics.
• Independent Oversight: An independent body should be established to oversee and enforce these rules, ensuring impartiality.

Malta is not alone in grappling with political finance transparency. Globally, countries are waking up to the need for stricter rules. The UK, for instance, has seen significant reforms in this area. Closer to home, the European Union is pushing for greater transparency, with plans to introduce new rules by 2023.

Locally, the Daphne Foundation’s campaign has gained traction. Civil society organisations, such as Repubblika and Din l-Art Ħelwa, have thrown their weight behind the proposal. Even some political parties, like the Labour Party, have expressed support for increased transparency, albeit with reservations.

However, not everyone is on board. Some parties argue that such reforms could stifle political funding, while others express concerns about the potential burden on smaller parties. Yet, as the Daphne Foundation points out, the status quo is not an option. Democracy demands transparency, and Malta’s political finance rules must reflect that.