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

Imagine strolling down Republic Street, Malta’s bustling thoroughfare, and suddenly wondering: who’s really bankrolling the political parties that shape our island’s future? It’s a question that’s been echoing through the narrow streets of Valletta, and now, the Daphne Foundation is pushing for answers.

The Daphne Foundation, named after the late investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, is advocating for a radical overhaul in Malta’s political financing scene. The foundation is proposing a comprehensive reform package that includes real-time disclosure of political donations, strict spending limits, and an independent electoral commission.

“We’re not just talking about big money here,” says Dr. Maria Efimova, a spokesperson for the foundation. “We’re talking about the future of our democracy. If we don’t know who’s financing our politics, how can we ensure fair and unbiased decision-making?”

Malta’s political financing regime has long been shrouded in secrecy. While political parties are required to declare their income and expenditure, these disclosures are often vague and lack crucial details. they’re only published annually, leaving a significant gap in transparency.

In 2019, the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance (TAX3) singled out Malta’s lack of transparency in political financing as a cause for concern. The committee recommended real-time disclosure, a move that the Daphne Foundation is now championing.

The Maltese government has pledged to introduce political financing reform, with Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis stating that the government is “committed to enhancing transparency and accountability in political party financing.” However, the details of this reform remain unclear, and the Daphne Foundation is calling for concrete action.

“We’re not asking for the moon,” says Dr. Efimova. “We’re asking for basic transparency. We want to know who’s funding our political parties, and we want to know now. It’s as simple as that.”

As Malta continues to grapple with the legacy of the Panama Papers and other corruption scandals, the call for political financing reform is growing louder. The Daphne Foundation’s proposals could be a breakthrough, bringing much-needed sunlight into the shadowy world of political financing in Malta.

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