Taxi rides from €2 and tax on vacant homes: Momentum launches manifesto

Imagine this: you’re hailing a taxi in Valletta’s Republic Street, and instead of the usual €5, you’re quoted €2. Sounds too good to be true? Well, that’s exactly what Malta’s political scene is buzzing about, thanks to the newly launched manifesto by the Momentum Malta party.

In a move that’s got locals talking from the Three Cities to the heights of Mdina, Momentum has unveiled a radical set of proposals that promise to shake up Malta’s political scene. The party, led by former Labour MP and now independent candidate Rosianne Cutajar, has put forward a manifesto that’s as bold as it is ambitious.

Topping the list of Momentum’s proposals is a plan to cap taxi fares at €2, a move that’s sure to be a breakthrough for Maltese commuters. The party plans to achieve this by investing in a state-of-the-art, app-based taxi booking system that would connect drivers directly with passengers, cutting out middlemen and reducing costs.

But Momentum’s manifesto isn’t just about cheaper taxi rides. The party is also taking aim at Malta’s housing crisis, proposing a tax on vacant properties. According to their plans, owners of empty homes would face an annual tax of 1% of the property’s value, a move aimed at encouraging more people to live in their properties and help ease the pressure on Malta’s housing market.

Momentum’s manifesto isn’t all about economics, though. The party is also promising a greener Malta, with plans to invest in renewable energy and create more green spaces. They’re proposing to turn Malta into a carbon-neutral island by 2030, a bold goal that would see the country leading the way in Europe’s fight against climate change.

But perhaps the most striking aspect of Momentum’s manifesto is its promise to clean up Malta’s political culture. The party is calling for stricter rules on conflicts of interest, increased transparency, and a complete overhaul of the way political parties are funded. They’re also promising to reduce the size of parliament and introduce fixed-term parliaments, moves that they say would make politics more accountable and responsive to the needs of ordinary Maltese people.

As the political scene in Malta heats up ahead of the next general election, one thing is clear: Momentum’s manifesto has given voters a lot to think about. From €2 taxi rides to a tax on empty homes, the party’s proposals are sure to spark debate and discussion across the country, from the bustling streets of Paceville to the quiet lanes of Rabat.

whether Momentum’s radical plans will find favour with Maltese voters. But one thing is certain: this small but ambitious party has already succeeded in putting some big ideas onto the table, and in doing so, it has injected a fresh dose of energy and excitement into Malta’s political scene.

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