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

Malta’s Opposition Leader Bernard Grech, known for his quick wit, left Finance Minister Clyde Caruana red-faced in Parliament this week. Grech, armed with a calculator, challenged Caruana to explain the government’s spending, sparking a heated debate that’s got everyone talking.

Grech’s Calculated Move

It was during a question-and-answer session in Parliament that Grech pulled out his calculator. He was questioning the government’s spending on the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE). Grech argued that the government had spent millions more than necessary, and he wanted to know why.

“Where’s your calculator, Minister?” Grech asked, holding up his own. “Because we need to do some math here. We need to understand where all this money is going.”

Caruana’s Response

Caruana, taken aback, responded that the government had acted swiftly and decisively in the face of a global pandemic. He maintained that the spending was justified and that the Opposition was playing politics with a serious issue.

“We had to act fast,” Caruana said. “We couldn’t wait for the lowest bid. People’s lives were at stake.”

The Numbers Game

Grech, however, wasn’t convinced. He pointed to a report by the National Audit Office that found irregularities in some PPE procurement processes. He also questioned why the government had spent €12 million on PPE when the European Commission had offered it for free.

“We’re not talking about pennies here,” Grech said. “We’re talking about millions of euros. And the people of Malta deserve to know where their money is going.”

Grech’s challenge has sparked a national conversation about government spending. Many Maltese are questioning whether the government could have done more to save taxpayers’ money during the pandemic.

Hot Malta reached out to several local economists for their take on the situation. Dr. Joseph Farrugia, an economist at the University of Malta, said, “The Opposition has raised valid concerns. We need to ensure that public money is spent efficiently and effectively, especially in times of crisis.”

Dr. Maria Attard, another economist at the University of Malta, added, “The Finance Minister has a duty to explain these expenditures. The Opposition is right to ask for accountability.”

The government has promised to release more details about its pandemic spending in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the Opposition has vowed to keep pushing for transparency and accountability.

“We’re not going to stop asking questions,” Grech said. “The people of Malta deserve answers.”

This is a developing story. Hot Malta will continue to follow it and bring you updates as they become available.