‘Where’s your calculator?’ Delia challenges Finance Minister on government costs

Malta’s Opposition Leader Bernard Grech found himself in the spotlight yesterday, not for his usual political rhetoric, but for a simple question he posed to Finance Minister Clyde Caruana during a parliamentary session. Grech, holding a calculator, asked, “Where’s yours?” sparking laughter and raising eyebrows in the chamber. The question, seemingly innocuous, was a challenge to the government’s spending habits and a call for transparency.

Parliamentary Showdown

The exchange occurred during a debate on the government’s spending estimates. Grech, armed with his calculator, questioned the Finance Minister on the increasing costs of government operations. He pointed out that the government’s expenditure has increased by €400 million since 2013, a figure that Caruana dismissed as “misleading”.

“I have my calculator here,” Grech said, brandishing the device, “and I’m ready to do the math. Where’s yours, Minister?” The chamber erupted in laughter, with some Opposition MPs holding up their own calculators in solidarity.

Cost of Living Concerns

The Opposition Leader’s move was a clear attempt to draw attention to the rising cost of living in Malta. With inflation at a five-year high and essential goods becoming increasingly expensive, many Maltese are feeling the pinch. Grech argued that the government’s spending habits are contributing to this trend, and that the Finance Minister should be more accountable for the figures.

“The people of Malta deserve to know where their money is going,” Grech said. “We’re not asking for a detailed breakdown of every government expenditure, but some transparency would be appreciated. After all, it’s their money we’re talking about.”

Government Response

Caruana, for his part, dismissed Grech’s challenge as a political stunt. “This is typical Opposition behaviour,” he said. “They’re more interested in grandstanding than in having a serious discussion about the country’s financial health.”

However, the Finance Minister did acknowledge that the government’s expenditure has increased, but attributed this to necessary investments in infrastructure and social services. He also pointed out that Malta’s economy is one of the strongest in the Eurozone, with a budget surplus and low unemployment.

“We’re not perfect,” Caruana said, “but we’re managing the country’s finances responsibly. We’re investing in our future, and that means spending money where it’s needed most.”

Despite the government’s reassurances, the Opposition remains skeptical. Grech has promised to continue pressing the government on its spending habits, vowing to “keep the pressure on until we get some straight answers”.

if the government will rise to the challenge and provide more transparency in its spending. But one thing is certain: Bernard Grech’s calculator has sparked a conversation that’s not likely to end anytime soon.