Election Desk: Show me the money (or don’t?)

In the heart of Valletta, at the bustling Republic Street, a group of protesters held up placards with a simple yet powerful message: “Show me the money.” They weren’t asking for their own pockets, but for the nation’s. The 2023 Maltese general election is just around the corner, and the question on everyone’s mind is: where’s the cash?

Follow the Money

Malta’s political parties are gearing up for the election, and with them, their war chests. The Electoral Commission’s latest data shows that in the 2019 election, the two main parties, Labour and Nationalist, spent a combined €6.5 million. But where does all that money come from, and where does it go?

The answer is complex, involving a mix of public and private funds. Parties receive state funding based on their electoral performance, and they also have their own fundraising efforts. But transparency is a concern. A recent report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) ranked Malta’s party financing regulations as ‘weak’ and ‘inconsistent with international standards.’

Transparency: The Elephant in the Room

Transparency Malta, a local NGO, has been pushing for more openness in political party financing. They argue that the current system allows for too much opacity. “We don’t know who’s funding our political parties,” says the NGO’s executive director, Manuel Delia. “And that’s a problem because it can lead to undue influence.”

Delia points to the lack of real-time disclosure of donations and the high thresholds for declaration as key issues. “A political party can receive €10,000 from a single donor and not have to declare it until six months after the election,” he says. “That’s not transparency.”

What’s the Solution?

So, what’s the solution? Transparency Malta and other advocates argue for real-time disclosure of all donations, regardless of size. They also want to see an end to anonymous donations. “If you want to influence our democracy, you should be willing to put your name to it,” says Delia.

But change might be on the horizon. The Electoral Commission has proposed new regulations that, if implemented, would significantly improve transparency. These include lowering the declaration threshold and requiring real-time disclosure.

But will these changes make it through before the election? And will they be enough? That’s the million-euro question. Or rather, the €6.5 million question.

As the election approaches, one thing is clear: the money trail matters. Because in Malta, as elsewhere, politics is about more than just votes – it’s about who’s paying for them.

So, when you’re standing at the ballot box this April, remember the protesters on Republic Street. Remember to ask: “Show me the money.” Because in democracy, the buck should stop with the voter.