Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544268
When Adrian Delia de- clared that energy subsi- dies should remain a "na- tional commitment," he did more than endorse a policy. The intervention reads as a pre-emptive attempt to neu- tralise the government's ex- pected campaign line: that only the current adminis- tration can guarantee stable electricity and fuel prices. But this also comes amid global uncertainty triggered by the war in Iran, which has contributed to a spike in oil prices. While Malta still benefits from hedging agreements, any prolonged instability could eventually translate into higher subsidy costs that any incoming gov- ernment will have to face. By embracing the princi- ple of subsidies, the opposi- tion reassures voters worried about higher bills under a different government. But consensus comes at a price. Once both sides agree on the policy, the debate shifts from "whether" to "who." And when the contest becomes one of credibility, incumben- cy usually wins. Decade of stability hard to beat The government's advan- tage lies in experience voters can measure. is tangible, not theoretical. WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT €1.00 WEDNESDAY • 8 APRIL 2026 • ISSUE 985 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY EDITORIAL • PAGE 11 Metropolis project in Gzira to add hotel after 17-year delay A new planning application (6474/25) proposing major chang- es to the long-pending Metropolis project in Gżira would consolidate the previously approved three-tow- er development into a single high- rise structure incorporating hotel accommodation on the lower floors alongside residential and commer- cial uses. Although the first permit was issued in 2009 the site remains a 6,000sq.m excavation hole with only limited underground parking works being undertaken in the past years. The application, once again sub- mitted by Libyan entrepreneur Galal Ibrahim Husni Bey and de- signed by architect Edwin Mintoff, seeks changes to the mixed-use de- velopment approved under earlier permits. The proposal covers the site bounded by Triq Enrico Mizzi in Gżira, Triq Testaferrata in Ta' Xbiex, Triq Giorgio Mitrovich and Triq D'Argens in Msida. It in- cludes hotel and residential units, commercial and ancillary facili- ties, underground parking and the sanctioning of basement parking layouts. CONTINUES PAGE 3 WEDNESDAY EDITION CONTINUES PAGE 4 JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Opposition removes the risk, government keeps the reward FUEL SUBSIDIES: Adrian Delia endorses energy subsidies to neutralise one of the most effective government policies on the eve of an election. But with incumbency and a decade of stable prices, the Labour Party still holds the upper hand Pump prices in Malta have remained stable as a result of government subsidies as the war in Iran intensifies and global oil prices continue to surge (File photo)