Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543837
always a failure of diplomacy. Ci- vilian suffering is never acceptable collateral. But acknowledging that reality does not make the underlying po- litical dilemmas disappear. Actions in international poli- tics rarely exist in a single moral dimension. They unfold across several layers at once. The context that precedes them may be un- derstandable, even justified. The method used to carry them out may be questionable, or plainly il- legal under international law. And yet the intention behind them may range from the genuinely principled to the dangerously ir- rational. With President Trump, who has shown limited grasp of the region's intricate dynamics and has yet to outline a credible path forward, the move risks appear- ing less strategic than impulsive, driven more by instinctive power projection than by a coherent plan for stability and freedom. These dimensions rarely align neatly, and when context, legality and intention collide in this way, the result is ambiguity rather than clarity. Certainly not a clear right or wrong. The dilemma This is precisely why many Eu- ropean leaders remain uncertain about where they stand when it comes to Iran. Germany appears to have aligned more closely with Washington, while France has taken a more cautious approach. The hesitation is also visible in the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer finds him- self navigating an extraordinarily difficult position. Imagine the dilemma. A former prosecutor and champion of the rule of law suddenly leads a coun- try whose closest ally launches a military strike outside the frame- work of international law. At the same time, the region is home to hundreds of thousands of British citizens. Iran retaliates by striking a British base in Cyprus. Across the Gulf sit critical eco- nomic partners. Countries such as Qatar and the United Arab Emir- ates hold investments and energy links that carry enormous weight for an already fragile British econ- omy. What, then, is the right course of action for a centre-left political leader such as Keir Starmer? Do you join the United States in military action to preserve the At- lantic alliance that underpins your security, while risking a deeper and more dangerous conflict? If not, are you willing to break ranks with President Trump and bear the enormous cost of re- placing the security umbrella the United States provides, diverting resources from much-needed so- cial investment? How do you protect British cit- izens scattered across a volatile region? How do you defend Gulf part- ners without becoming fully en- tangled in a war that could spiral beyond control? It is easy to sit on the side lines and criticise Sir Keir. It is quite an- other to sit in the chair of power and be the one who must decide. These are not theoretical ques- tions. They are the kinds of real and impossible calculations that define modern geopolitics, and they rarely produce simple an- swers. The world is not divided into heroes and villains acting in isola- tion. It is a tangled web of histor- ical grievances, strategic interests, ideological conflicts and human suffering. If we are serious about address- ing global crises, we must resist the urge to simplify them beyond recognition. Because the first step toward solving complex problems is rec- ognising that they are, indeed, complex. 9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 11 MARCH 2026 OPINION answers world Because the first step toward solving complex problems is recognising that they are, indeed, complex. Borja Giménez Larraz & David Casa Larraz is rapporteur on the EU housing crisis Casa heads the PN delegation in the EPP Restoring Europe's housing market A young couple living in a small apartment in Birkirkara scroll through property listings. Both have stable jobs. They did what society asked of them—study, work hard and save. Yet they are preparing to leave. Not because they found something better, but because the rent has risen again. Buying is out of reach. It would consume their savings; delay starting a family and tie them to decades of debt. They are not only leaving their apartment; they are also leaving the community they love and the future they imagined there. Across the EU, housing is no longer mere- ly expensive. It has become unattainable for millions of young Europeans. Since 2010, house prices have surged by more than 60% and rents by 30%. In many cities, couples spend nearly half their income just to keep a roof over their heads. For first-time buyers, the threshold has become insurmountable. On 10 March, the European Parliament adopted its first report on the housing cri- sis. The report sets out a roadmap to restore access to decent, sustainable and affordable housing. For the European People's Party Group, the diagnosis for a country like Malta is clear—the crisis is one of underused hous- ing and neglected building stock. Renovation is costly and bureaucratic. As a result, in many cities and towns, hundreds of dwellings stand empty, deteriorating or tied up in legal uncertainty. Buildings that could house families remain shuttered, while new con- struction continues. If we are serious about affordability, we must unlock the homes we already have. It is time for a new housing deal for Europe- an citizens; one that prioritises restoring and reusing existing homes. Thanks to the EPP Group, the European Parliament is urging the European Commission to come forward with a Housing Simplification Package. Our young couple in Birkirkara need a govern- ment that makes homes available. Climate and energy standards matter. Quality and sustainability matter. But rules must enable renovation and affordability, not leave viable homes empty. Today, obtaining permits for renovation can take a long time, especially if the housing units are in a village core. This discourages owners from restoring properties or bring- ing vacant units to the market. Procedures must be streamlined, with clear timelines and predictable outcomes. Financial incen- tives such as tax relief, renovation grants and low-interest loans, can support owners will- ing to restore properties and offer them at reasonable rents. Revitalising empty spaces strengthens neighbourhoods, limits urban sprawl and preserves cultural heritage while expanding supply where people want to live. Affordability is not an abstract buzzword. It determines whether young couples can start a family, whether nurses, teachers and police officers can live near the communities they serve, and whether city centres remain vibrant. Bringing vacant homes back into use and ensuring reasonable rents are essential steps towards that goal. Rules are equally important. Legal certain- ty for owners and tenants encourages an in- crease in available supply. National author- ities are best placed to work out the details and subsidiarity must remain the guiding principle, as housing markets differ widely across Member States. Europe should, how- ever, help remove obstacles and support in- vestment. The EPP's priorities are clear: Simplify pro- cedures, restore existing housing, mobilise vacant properties and support owners who provide affordable rentals. And in doing so, respect for national competences must be maintained. We have laid the groundwork. Now it is time to bring empty homes back to life. The EPP's priorities are clear: Simplify procedures, restore existing housing, mobilise vacant properties and support owners who provide affordable rentals