Momentum pledges Planning Authority reform

Momentum pledged to reform an independent Planning Authority which is free from all conflicts of interest if elected to government. 

They said that the Planning Authority has lost all credibility and is widely seen as a tool that favours developers over residents and the environment.

On Thursday, Momentum launched a set of proposals from their 2026 manifesto, pledging to completely rebuild the Planning Authority with independent planning experts who have no conflicts of interest.

Momentum also proposed an immediate two-year moratorium on all new permits for buildings of ten floors or above. 

They explained that the moratorium is not a permanent ban, but a breathing space to assess damage, develop proper planning criteria, and ensure that no further permits are issued until a credible national framework is in place.

Under Momentum’s proposed Public Integrity Act, the National Audit Office will be required to examine every elected official’s assets within the first 90 days of taking office and every year thereafter.

They pointed out that currently, politicians declare their own wealth with no independent checking.

Additionally, Momentum’s Open Malta Act will replace the current Freedom of Information law, making the government required to publish any information by default, not wait for someone to ask.

The power for a minister to veto the release of information will be removed and officials who delay or block requests would face daily fines. 

The party also pledged to introduce a vacant property tax applying from the second vacant residential property onwards, explaining that empty homes push prices up and lock people out of the market.

They added that revenue from the tax will be allocated for social housing. 

“Both parties have had decades to fix these problems,” said Alastair Farrugia, candidate for Momentum in the 4th and 5th Districts. “Momentum is the only political party promising a real change from decades of damage to our environment, our health, and our quality of life.”