Who’s financing Malta’s politics? Daphne Foundation proposes transparency reform

In the heart of Valletta, at the bustling Republic Street, a discreet plaque on the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation’s office hints at the winds of change it’s stirring. The foundation, named after Malta’s renowned journalist who was silenced by a car bomb in 2017, is now turning its gaze on political financing, proposing reforms that could reshape Malta’s political scene.

Malta’s political financing scene has long been shrouded in secrecy. While political parties are required to disclose their income and expenditure, the lack of detail and the absence of regular audits make it difficult to trace the origins of the funds. This opacity has raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether all donations are above board.

“Malta’s political financing system is like a black box,” says Dr. Maria Efimova, a researcher at the University of Malta. “We know what goes in and what comes out, but we don’t know what happens inside.”

The Daphne Foundation has proposed a set of reforms aimed at bringing transparency to political financing. Their proposals include:

• Mandatory Audits: Regular, independent audits of political parties’ finances to ensure accountability.
• Detailed Disclosures: Parties should disclose the source and purpose of each donation, with thresholds set to prevent abuse.
• Real-Time Reporting: Quarterly, rather than annual, reporting to keep track of funds in real-time.
• Transparency Register: A public register of political donations, similar to those in the UK and Ireland.

Malta can learn from its neighbours. In the UK, the Electoral Commission maintains a public register of political donations, while Ireland has strict limits on donations and regular audits. Closer to home, Italy has seen the benefits of stricter political financing rules, with reduced corruption and increased public trust.

“Malta needs to follow suit,” argues Dr. Efimova. “Transparency in political financing is not just about compliance, it’s about building trust in our democracy.”

The Daphne Foundation’s proposals are a significant step towards transparency. But turning these proposals into reality will require political will and public pressure. The foundation is now calling on the public to support their campaign, #TransparencyNow, and on political parties to commit to these reforms.

As the sun sets over the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, the question remains: will Malta’s political scene finally step out of the shadows?

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