Imagine this: it’s a sweltering summer day in the heart of Ħamrun. The bustling street is lined with cars, but it’s not the usual traffic jam. Instead, a makeshift market has sprung up, with tables groaning under the weight of car parts, old radios, and even a vintage bicycle. This is no ordinary flea market; it’s a political rally. Welcome to Malta’s ‘spare parts election’.

Meet Adrian Delia, the man who turned a humble spare parts shop into a political powerhouse. His store, ‘Delia’s Spare Parts’, nestled on Ħamrun’s busy Triq San Pawl, has been a local institution for decades. But in 2017, Delia decided to diversify his business, running for political office with the Nationalist Party. He won, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Delia’s political rise is part of a broader trend in Maltese politics. With a general election due in 2022, political parties are increasingly looking to local businesspeople to fill their candidate lists. These ‘spare parts candidates’, as they’ve come to be known, bring more than just their business acumen to the table. They bring a tangible connection to the community, a ‘man of the people’ image that resonates with voters.

Ħamrun, a bustling town just outside Valletta, has become a hotbed of this political phenomenon. With its mix of old and new, Ħamrun embodies the spirit of Malta’s changing political scene. Here, traditional party politics is giving way to a more grassroots, community-focused approach. Delia’s success has inspired others to follow suit. Today, Ħamrun boasts a political scene as vibrant and varied as its markets.

Take for instance, Josianne Cutajar, a local businesswoman who runs a successful clothing store. She’s now also Ħamrun’s Labour Party candidate. Or Mario Galea, a local entrepreneur who’s turned his successful catering business into a political platform. Both are part of a new breed of politicians, ones who understand the local economy because they’re part of it.

While the spare parts candidates have brought a breath of fresh air to Maltese politics, they’re not without their critics. Some argue that they lack the necessary political experience to make a real difference. Others worry that their business interests could conflict with their political duties.

Delia, for one, has faced criticism over his business dealings. In 2019, he was accused of conflict of interest after his company, Delia Holdings, was awarded a government contract. Delia maintains his innocence, but the incident has raised questions about the potential conflicts of interest that spare parts candidates might face.

Despite these challenges, the spare parts election shows no signs of slowing down. As Malta prepares for the 2022 election, both major parties are actively courting local businesspeople to join their ranks. The Labour Party, in particular, has made a concerted effort to appeal to the business community, with Prime Minister Robert Abela often seen visiting local businesses.

For now, the future of Malta’s political scene remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the spare parts election is here to stay. Whether they’re selling car parts or running for office, these candidates are changing the face of Maltese politics, one vote at a time.

As Adrian Delia puts it, “Politics is about people. And where better to meet people than in the heart of Ħamrun, where everyone knows your name?”