Five Takeaways from a Rowdy University Leaders’ Debate

Last night’s university leaders’ debate at the University of Malta’s Aula Magna was anything but academic. With students packed into the historic hall and more watching online, the event was a microcosm of Malta’s political scene, with heated exchanges and standing ovations. Here are five key takeaways from the rowdy evening.

1. The Environment: A Hot Topic

The environment was the elephant in the room, with students eager to grill the leaders on their parties’ environmental policies. The debate started with a question on the government’s proposed reform of the Planning Authority, which has been criticized for its slow pace. Opposition leader Bernard Grech accused the government of using the PA as a “political tool,” while Prime Minister Robert Abela defended the reforms, saying they were necessary to tackle corruption.

Students also raised concerns about Malta’s reliance on imported energy, with one student asking why Malta hadn’t embraced renewable energy sources like other EU countries. Abela pointed to the government’s plans for a solar farm in Delimara and the conversion of the Marsa power station to run on natural gas, while Grech criticized the government’s lack of a comprehensive energy policy.

2. Student Accommodation: A Thorny Issue

Student accommodation was another contentious issue, with students complaining about the lack of affordable housing in Malta. The leaders were asked about their parties’ plans to address this issue. Abela highlighted the government’s plans to build student residences in Msida and Birkirkara, while Grech criticized the government for not doing enough to encourage the private sector to build student accommodation.

The PN leader also accused the government of using student accommodation as a political tool, claiming that the government had deliberately delayed the construction of student residences to prevent the opposition from taking credit for them. Abela denied the accusation, saying that the government was committed to providing affordable accommodation for students.

3. The Economy: Growth vs. Sustainability

The leaders were also quizzed on their parties’ economic policies. Abela highlighted the government’s record of economic growth and job creation, while Grech accused the government of prioritizing growth at the expense of sustainability. The PN leader pointed to the government’s plans to build a new power station in Delimara, which he said would increase Malta’s carbon emissions.

Abela defended the government’s record on the environment, pointing to the government’s plans to plant one million trees and ban single-use plastics. He also accused the opposition of wanting to “stop progress” by opposing the government’s economic policies.

4. The Budget: Tax Cuts vs. Public Services

The leaders were also asked about their parties’ plans for the upcoming budget. Abela said that the government would continue to invest in public services and infrastructure, while also providing tax cuts for families and businesses. Grech accused the government of using the budget as a “political tool” to buy votes, and said that the PN would prioritize public services over tax cuts.

The PN leader also criticized the government’s handling of the public debt, saying that the government had increased the debt by €3 billion since coming to power in 2013. Abela defended the government’s record on public finances, saying that the government had reduced the deficit and increased economic growth.

5. The Future: Youth Engagement

The debate ended with a question on how the leaders planned to engage young people in politics. Both leaders emphasized the importance of youth engagement, with Abela saying that the government was committed to involving young people in decision-making processes, and Grech saying that the PN was committed to giving young people a “voice and a future.”

However, the leaders’ answers were met with skepticism from some students, who accused the leaders of not doing enough to engage young people in politics. One student asked why the leaders had not done more to encourage young people to register to vote, to which Abela responded that the government was committed to making the voting process easier for young people.

As the debate ended, it was clear that the students had come to listen, question, and engage. Despite the heated exchanges, the debate was a reminder that young people in Malta are engaged and eager to participate in the political process. As one student put it, “We’re the future, and we want to be heard.”