Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543912
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 MARCH 2026 FEATURE proposals that shaped Malta interested in securing the interests of the private concessionaire rather than safeguard the public good. Although the concession was not di- rectly referenced in the 2013 manifesto, the impact of the scandal that followed continues to shape Malta's political landscape. It will continue to do so at least until the criminal cases against the accused are finished. 6. NATIONAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN AND PROJECTS In a stark reminder of how long Mal- ta has been trying to tackle the traffic problem, the 2013 manifesto promised to launch a National Traffic Manage- ment Plan to tackle bottlenecks, such as Marsa and Kappara. The two junctions were completed with flyovers that eased traffic flow in the areas. These were eventually fol- lowed by a post-2017 impressive invest- ment in road infrastructure. But despite the modernisation of Malta's roads, traffic continues to be among the top concerns for many people in 2026. After 13 years and hundreds of mil- lions of euros spent trying to solve the traffic issue, the problem persists, as does the lack of political will to intro- duce disincentives for commuters who use private cars. 7. GRANTING 16-YEAR-OLDS A VOTE IN LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS The PL's 2013 manifesto had prom- ised to grant 16-year-olds a vote in local council elections. This was the first in a series of changes that gave more rights to young people. Major milestones in this regard in- cluded giving 16-year-olds a vote in general elections and allowing them to become mayors if chosen by constitu- ents. Just days ago, 16-year-olds were also given the right to open their own company. 8. PROTECTING HUNTERS' RIGHTS The last proposal in the 2013 man- ifesto's section on the environment promised to "improve local regulations, among others by guaranteeing sustaina- ble spring hunting according to EU reg- ulations…". The proposal made it clear that the Labour Party would stand by the hunt- ers' lobby through thick and thin. When it comes to this promise, Labour not only kept its word, but went above and beyond. More than a decade since Labour took office, government continues to defy the EU to protect the lobby's interests, especially when it comes to bird trap- ping. 9. IVF The changes to Malta's legislation regulating in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) positioned Labour at the forefront of progressive policies. Although IVF was already legal in Malta before 2013, it was the Labour government that in- vested in the equipment and resourc- es necessary at Mater Dei Hospital to make IVF practical for Maltese cou- ples. The strict parameters introduced by the previous PN government were also loosened, enabling more couples and individuals to benefit from the pro- cedure. Changes introduced over the years made it possible for single wom- en and lesbian couples to have access to IVF, while the possibility of sperm and egg donation was introduced. Eventual- ly, pre-implantation genetic testing on embryos for severe hereditary diseases was introduced in 2022. Since 2013, more than 700 babies were born from IVF cycles. 10. A CONSTRUCTION BOOM In 2013, there wasn't one single pro- posal that hinted at the construction boom that would transform the island aesthetically and economically. The electoral programme referenced the demerger of what would become the Environmental and Resources Authori- ty and the Planning Authority, while promising to reduce the bureaucracy in the planning sector. It also mentioned a reform in the Local Plans which never materialised. With the benefit of hindsight, what was omitted from the manifesto in this regard, became more important than what was written. New planning poli- cies introduced along the years, such as allowing hotels to add two more floors, the change in building heights, the high- rise and rural policies, changed Malta forever since they allowed the building boom brought about by a growing econ- omy to flourish even more. 11. THE STANDARDS CZAR The Office of the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life can also be traced back to Labour's 2013 elector- al programme, even though the first standards czar was chosen in Joseph Muscat's second legislature in 2018. The creation of this office meant that MPs had a watchdog that could be called to investigate them by anyone from the public. In the eight years since the establish- ment of this office, standard czar re- ports have shaken the political system, leading to the resignations of Rosianne Cutajar, Clayton Bartolo and Justyne Caruana. The standards czar has also been a thorn in Robert Abela's side due to the latter's refusal to be transparent on Cabinet's asset declarations. 12. ANTI-CORRUPTION PROPOSALS In 2013, Joseph Muscat's Labour Party was relishing in a number of scandals which rocked the previous Nationalist government. Riding on slogans of trans- parency, meritocracy and justice, the party's electoral programme pledged to, among other things, remove the time- bar for corruption cases, introduce the Whistleblower Act and a law regulating political party financing, while giving the Attorney General more powers to investigate. The reforms were introduced but what appeared good on paper has had little effect on the behaviour in public life. Despite promises of meritocracy and good governance, Labour in gov- ernment has been rocked by a list of scandals too long to remember. The Caruana Galizia Public Inquiry had found the Labour government re- sponsible for the "atmosphere of im- punity" that enabled the murder of the journalist to take place. 13. EXPLOSION AND EXPLOITATION OF FOREIGN WORKERS The single-most issue of concern to- day, overpopulation and the number of foreign workers, coupled with the exploitation of vulnerable non-EU res- idents, was a glaring omission from the MaltaTagħna Lkoll programme. Indeed, the manifesto was intended to re-jig Malta's economy and pursue growth but with that promise came re- percussions that were left unexplained, unmitigated. The only proposal that vaguely hinted at an economic model that would rely on the importation of foreign labour by the thousands was that a Labour gov- ernment would embrace the "active labour market policies as expressed in the ratification of the Jobs+ programme along with social partners". The architect of that policy, put for- ward by the Union Ħaddiema Magħqu- din, was none other than Clyde Caru- ana, today's finance minister. But even with the benefit of hindsight it is dif- ficult to decipher what that proposal meant. While more women joined the labour force and pensioners were encouraged to work for longer, the rapid economic growth necessitated foreign workers by the droves. They came, filled the gaps, contributed to public coffers, helped buoy the property rental market but were also exploited and abused. And as the population grew, public infrastruc- ture across the board was unprepared and started to creak. The economic model made many peo- ple richer, leaving more money in their pocket, but it also widened the gap be- tween the haves and the have-nots, with foreign workers becoming the new un- derclass.