Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545087
THE Labour Party has accused the Nationalist Party of basing its metro proposal on a discard- ed preliminary presentation rather than on technical studies. The statement comes after MaltaToday exclusively re- vealed how a confidential gov- ernment study carried out by a big four audit firm in 2023 shows a fully-operational met- ro is possible in five years. The study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, a big four audit firm, evaluated gov- ernment's original metro pro- ject for three lines, which had been designed by Arup, a con- sultancy firm. Titled Project Hestia, the con- fidential document seen by Mal- taToday, estimated that three metro lines—Red, Blue and Green—with a network length of 29km would be developed in 5.3 years. The three under- ground routes, which covered the central-eastern regions, were defined by Infrastructure Malta and based on population and workplace density. Labour said on Tuesday af- ternoon, the Nationalist Party confirmed it had not conduct- ed any studies of its own and had instead relied on a pres- entation prepared by consul- tancy firm PwC in May 2023. According to Labour, the presentation was submitted to the transport minister on 19 May 2023 but was later dis- carded by government after further expert advice and con- siderations. The party said the document primarily focused on a "finan- cial model" and "financial as- sumptions" related to the pro- posed metro project and how the concession could generate returns. Labour argued this showed the Opposition did not possess technical reports comparable to those presented by govern- ment in recent weeks. The statement also claimed the PwC presentation indicat- ed that the proposed project would push Malta's debt above 76% of gross domestic product, breaching European Commis- sion criteria. It added that the country's deficit would rise to 8.2%, almost three times higher than the level accepted by the Commission. Labour said this was the rea- son government had scaled down the project in order to make it "feasible and viable". The party noted the presenta- tion had not been prepared by an engineering firm but by an audit firm, describing the study as consisting of "illustrative fi- nancial projections". Labour also challenged Op- position leader Alex Borg's as- sertion that the metro project could be completed within five years. It said the report itself confirmed such a timeframe was not feasible because it ex- cluded the time required for planning permits, environmen- tal permits and procurement processes. The statement added the PwC presentation described the proposal as being at a "prelimi- nary stage" in all aspects. It also cited the document as warning that infrastructure works, in- cluding excavation, rail systems and stations, carried "risks and uncertainties related to geolo- gy and permitting processes". Labour said the Nationalist Party should publish any stud- ies it claimed to have conduct- ed if it wanted to be considered credible, accusing the Oppo- sition of copying from a pres- entation that had already been rejected by government. THE Electoral Commission has urged relatives of voters recovering in hospitals to hand over patients' voting documents to them so they can vote next Thursday. Voters who were regis- tered at patients up to 6pm on 25 May need to be in possession of their voting document when voting in two days' time. The commission stated that this applies to patients in Mater Dei (including SAMOC), Karen Grech, Mount Carmel, and the Gozo General Hospital. "Whoever holds a voting document pertaining to an- other person would effec- tively be denying the per- son's right to vote, in breach of the law," the Electoral Commission reminded. If such cases arise, the commission will contact the police to intervene. The Electoral Commission also announced that when patients cast their votes on 28 May, all visitors will be barred from entering the hospitals, except for rela- tives of patients who are very ill. NEWS ELECTION 2026 10 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 MAY 2026 PL: PwC report shows PN's mass transport pledge 'copied' and based on 'preliminary presentation' Electoral Commission urges relatives of voters in hospital to give them their voting documents The PN's election proposal closely follows one of the proposed metro lines in the original government plan studied by PwC KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Malta votes on 30 May to elect the next government Labour Party accuses Nationalist Party of basing its metro proposal on a discarded preliminary presentation rather than on technical studies • Labour challenges PN to publish full studies