Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets of Republic Street in Valletta, the sun casting a warm glow on the grand neoclassical buildings. Now, picture this: a government official, notepad in hand, jotting down a promise made over a handshake. This isn’t a scene from a historical drama, but a reality of Malta’s political scene today. How did we get here? Let’s look the tale of how our islands traded ideals for favours.

Malta, once a beacon of progressive ideals, has seen a shift in its political culture. Ideals that once guided our decisions – transparency, accountability, environmental sustainability – have been overshadowed by pragmatism. Favours, both given and received, have become the currency of our political economy. But how did we arrive at this point?

To understand this, we must look back to the early 2000s. Malta was a small island nation, eager to prove itself on the global stage. EU accession in 2004 brought with it promises of prosperity and progress. However, it also brought challenges. Malta found itself struggling to keep up with its larger neighbours, both economically and politically.

It was during this period that Malta began to embrace a more pragmatic approach to foreign policy. Favours, both big and small, became a means to an end. Malta offered its strategic location and political support to larger powers, in exchange for economic aid and political clout.

Take, for instance, the case of the US military base in Malta. In 2006, Malta offered the US a lease on the former RAF Luqa air base. In return, the US provided Malta with millions in aid and military training. It was a pragmatic decision, but one that raised eyebrows among those who valued Malta’s traditional neutrality.

This pragmatic approach to foreign policy soon seeped into domestic politics. Favours, once a rare occurrence, became commonplace. Political parties began to use favours – jobs, contracts, permits – to secure votes and maintain power.

Walk down any street in Malta or Gozo, and you’ll find examples of this. From the small shop owner who received a favourable lease renewal, to the young graduate who landed a job at a state-owned company, favours have become a part of everyday life. While some see this as a form of patronage, others view it as a necessary evil in a small, interconnected society.

However, this shift towards pragmatism has not been without its costs. Corruption has risen, with Malta ranking 55th in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index in 2020, down from 46th in 2012. Environmental concerns have been pushed aside in the name of progress, with Malta’s beaches and countryside paying the price.

the favours system has led to a lack of accountability. Those who benefit from favours often owe their allegiance to the party or individual who granted it, rather than to the public good. This has led to a political culture where self-interest often trumps the common good.

So, where does this leave Malta? Can we reclaim our ideals, or are we doomed to a future where pragmatism reigns supreme? The answer lies in the hands of the Maltese people. We must demand transparency and accountability from our politicians. We must insist on a return to the values that once defined us – integrity, sustainability, progress.

As former Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami once said, “Malta is a small country, but it has a big heart.” It’s time we start acting like it. Let’s not trade our ideals for favours. Let’s demand a better future for our islands.