Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546363
When Malta and Gozo are hit by consistent blackouts, the natural thing to do is hit out at Miriam Dalli and Enemalta. They are in the line of fire be- cause one serves as the energy minister and the other as the utility company. The truth is that if Miriam Dalli were decapitated and En- emalta rewired, the problem would not go away because the issues are deep rooted in an economic model that has be- come an uncontrollable mon- ster. The problem is a fundamental one. The politics of growth at all costs must stop. This is an economy based on greed. The idea that people can be given subsidies and waste as much energy as they deem fit is fool- ish. The idea that the construc- tion industry can continue at the same rate of growth is com- plete madness. In my eyes, the Robert Abela Cabinet understands the cause of the problem but I am not too sure the prime minister is will- ing to take the bull by its horns. The country is like a Maltese home with a single phase con- nection that is loaded with air conditioners in every room, an electric oven and hob, a pump for the roof jacuzzi and an elec- tric charger in the garage. The electric main just heats up and blows up the fuses. You do not need to be a geni- us to realise that Malta's econ- omy is wired wrongly. The summer of no electricity comes after an electoral cam- paign from both political par- ties, which showered the elec- torate with a bonanza of fiscal give aways. The sole reason for these freebies from both par- ties was pure electioneering. There was no thinking, no eco- nomic reasoning; it was just a ploy to garner more votes. Castille is against changing course, whether it is intro- ducing parking meters, bring- ing in capping on subsidies, and curbing the construction lobby. A suggestion to regu- late energy use in government agencies and departments has also been shelved. A meek pro- posal to reduce energy demand in government agencies has been shot down. The idea that there is no tomorrow is simply ingrained in the thinking of Castille. Fuel is subsidised whether used for basic needs or pow- ering a motorboat. The idea of changing tack is simply not on the cards. Eurostat numbers show that Malta is the top country where the use of energy in households has increased significantly. Be- tween 2015 and 2024, house- hold electricity consumption increased by a staggering 66% in Malta; the next highest in- crease was only 36%. It is a fucking disgrace. And instead of pointing out the per- il of this trend, all we can do is praise the numbers as proof of our economic success. It is Don Quixote at his best! It is high time that we under- stand that Muscateconomics has reached its limit and is now like a cancer cell eating the body that sustains it. Now, this has nothing to do with preserving the environ- ment but about having suffi- cient energy to run our country and living a decent life. Every country under the sun has measures in place to con- trol streetlights, limit usage of water and electricity, means testing for subsidies. But in Malta, suggestions of this sort are considered folly, anathema to what is expected. It is true that a deviation from our present approach to ener- gy use will lead to a tsunami of criticism from the PN. It is to be expected. But Castille is not running an electoral campaign anymore but a country. To spend hours on end in torrid heat with no water, no electric- ity, no nothing is a grave issue. The solution is not short term; we need a vision and long-term solution. The challenge for Robert Ab- ela is to come to terms with this new reality. 1. Abela needs to rush in brave new planning laws to block high rise in our towns and a moratorium on new ho- tels. There also must be a new policy about carrying capacity. The Planning Authority cannot continue dishing out permits at the current rate 2. A rethink of subsidies for water and electricity needs to be introduced. If subsidies are not capped, people and busi- nesses will never feel the need to be reasonable about energy use. As things stand people re- ally believe that there is no to- morrow and the State will pro- vide for everything. 3. A serious rethink about economic growth 4. It is high time that we block new hotel and boutique hotel permits and talk of a saturation figure for incoming tourism. 5. A task force needs to be set to look at the impact of climate change and extreme tempera- tures in the country and imple- ment mitigating measures. This reset will come at a price. But Robert Abela has an obli- gation towards the future of this country. With all the talk of a feel good factor and a well- being index, the fundamental underlying message here is that we have reached our saturation point and we have to act fast. Last week, I wrote about find- ing a soul for the Labour Par- ty. Today, I think we need a soul and a heart to realign this country. The writing is on the wall. The age of realism is here and that of populism is proving to be a failure. The realities we face are in our control if we can come to terms with the fact that the economy is ours to steer and we have an obligation to control it. Enough with the lobbies. The priority is the country as a whole. As things stand the ball is in the prime minister's court. We are past the apologies or resig- nations. What we need now is a change in course and some action. Gozo bishop I have few words for the state- ment of Gozo Bishop Anton Teuma, who declared the rape case of a minor and its peace- ful resolution after a priest, Fr Michael Said, mediated a set- tlement agreement, a closed chapter. By closed he meant the priest did an "unwise" thing but is a good man and so be it. You must have some gall to make a video declaring such a thing in 2026. Someone needs to tell the bishop to get real. It makes so many convinced that the church in Malta and Gozo is hypocritical, irrelevant, out- dated and sinful! 7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 AUGUST 2026 OPINION Fuck the populism, we need to have some brave decisions now! Saviour Balzan Founder and co-owner of Media Today, publisher of MaltaToday, he is a TV host and pollster Cabinet of Ministers