Momentum releases manifesto, promises two-year moratorium on high-rise buildings

Momentum has released its 2026 Electoral Manifesto, titled Bidla ta' Vera which, among other things, proposes a two-year-moratorium on high-rise buildings.

The manifesto contains 259 measures and aims to shift the national focus away from purely macroeconomic indicators toward the basic needs and well-being of residents.

The manifesto proposes an immediate two-year moratorium on all permits for high-rise buildings of ten or more floors. This "breathing space" is intended to allow for an assessment of Malta’s electrical, water, and drainage infrastructure, which has failed to keep pace with population growth. 

During this period, the party intends to reform the Planning Authority, staffing it with experts independent of the construction industry to end what it described as a culture that frequently prioritises developer interests over environmental protection. 

Momentum also seeks to dismantle the "build now, sanction later" mentality by mandating that all development works be suspended while a permit is under appeal and ensuring that illegal structures are physically removed at the offender's expense. 

To protect the mental health of residents and the safety of workers, construction hours would be restricted to between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday, with a strict ban on Sundays and public holidays. Additionally, large-scale projects would be required to allocate 2% of their costs to public art installations or performances to enrich the communities they impact.

Regarding property and housing reform, the manifesto prioritises market transparency and the reclamation of vacant housing stock. 

To address the housing shortage, a Property Speculation Tax would be introduced for owners of multiple vacant residential properties, though the first vacant home would remain exempt to protect families with traditional summer residences. Revenue generated from this tax would be specifically ring-fenced for social housing projects. 

The proposed transport revolution aims to reduce traffic to 2005 levels by 2033 through the Subsidised Shared Cab Initiative (SSCI). Rather than investing in a multi-billion euro metro, Momentum proposes using existing roads and an AI-driven ride-hailing system where commuters heading in the same direction share vehicles that provide door-to-door service. 

The government would provide €234 million in annual fare subsidies to ensure this service is more affordable than private car ownership, offering a flat €2 fee for youths and the elderly. 

This would be supported by a massive expansion of the national bus fleet by 300 new buses, the creation of more priority lanes, and a €100 million overhaul of 2,000 bus stops.

For those choosing active travel, the manifesto commits to building a connected National Cycling Route Network with segregated lanes and introducing presumed liability in road traffic law to protect vulnerable road users, shifting the burden of proof to the driver of the larger vehicle in the event of a collision. 

Finally, the party pledges to update the Highway Code to reflect modern road use and prioritise pedestrians and cyclists.