Sandra Gauci

Doesn’t it feel like we have had a surreal electoral campaign? 

The war on Iran.  Oil scarcity. Record energy prices. Countries worried about how they will survive this. The world is burning, and the PL and PN are promising heaven on earth like there’s no tomorrow.

Energy subsidies are necessary. But subsidies on what is wasteful are to be avoided. Millions of euros up in smoke. In the meantime, our national debt has shot up to €12 billion. More than €500,000 in interest every day.

Who cares?  As long as we look great.

Debt? Our children can pay that off.   

ADPD is clear on this: millions going to waste should be used to invest in renewable energy instead, so that by 2030, half of the energy produced originates from renewables. Energy security. Wise economics. 

We have insisted on the need for well-being. The right for young people to have a roof over their head without having to be in debt for the rest of their lives. To achieve this, we have proposed housing cooperatives and price control on rent. All this so that it is not all about profit, but also about social justice.   

Just in the past month, we have had land misuse issues in Fort Chambray and Ġgantija in Gozo, Nigret and taż-Żnuber in Mellieħa under threat, massive development on virgin land in Pembroke and a building ready to collapse. All this in a single month.

The cry is clear. Let us breathe! You have buried us alive!  

We need to rein in the cowboys. Our proposals are clear:

• A building passport for everybody’s peace of mind;
• A national geological service so that we do not build on weak foundations;
• Undeveloped land that was subjected to the rationalisation exercise of 2006 is reverted to ODZ status;
• A moratorium on large-scale developments until the local plans are properly revised;
• Reform the Planning Authority so that it no longer remains the Authority for Developers.

On transport issues, we have watched enough farces that are fantastical in nature. Projects worth billions that end nowhere. But what is obvious is ignored. Even those who have commissioned these projects are sceptical. 

An ethical economy, an economy of security. An inclusive economy. An economy of well-being

We propose a Bus Rapid Transit System. A simple, quick, lasting solution that does not bring the country to its knees. A solution that will not leave us stuck in traffic for hours.   

We also call for a decent living wage so that workers on the minimum wage are no longer dependent on the state.

An economy built on the concept of cooperation and a boost to cooperatives. For the well-being, dignity and democracy to work.

We call for the principle of subsidiarity to be added to the constitution and for this to be put in effect with stronger local and regional councils, and the ecotax from tourism to be passed on to the local councils 

We also call for subsidiarity in education. There are more than 20 proposals, among them:

• Schools to develop a sense of community;
• Smaller schools;
• Greater trust in educators;
• Cooperatives in education;
• An open curriculum that gives more room for creativity, teamwork and critical thinking.

We speak on a universal basic income for artists. Encouraging creativity, thinking, membership and innovation. We need to create new economic niches based on the circular economy, renewable energy, digital and democratic innovation.

An ethical economy, an economy of security. An inclusive economy. An economy of well-being.

We should make this shift to quality tourism, not quantity. A moratorium on new hotels should be put in place so that the monster of unrestrained development is stopped. 

We also put forward a number of proposals on constitutional change. For the rule of law to be observed, the following are among what we proposed: 

• Full-time members of parliament;
• Regulated lobbying;
• Constitutional bodies appointed by parliament to decentralise power;
• Renew the principle of neutrality;
• State party financing;
• Environmental protection is the obligation of the state.  It will no longer remain an idea on paper.

As you can see, we have chosen a politics of justice. A politics of responsibility. A politics of sustainability.

Not voting means the usual politics.  For change, you need to vote

The choice is yours: 

Choose to become a truly European country with a diversity of voices in parliament.

Choose to have a voice in parliament, a free voice that is not bought. 

Choose to leave a more beautiful country for our children. 

Choose. 

Your vote for ADPD is worthwhile.

So that we can share our country’s wealth… together. 

Sandra Gauci is the chairperson of ADPD-The Green Party and an electoral candidate in the 6th and 12th districts.

Published in timesofmalta.com 28/05/2026