Updated | Government turns down PN request to hasten state funding talks

The Nationalist Party today called on government to look into the possibility of introducing state financing for all political parties before the law on party financing is presented in Parliament. However, government said the draft law on party finance cannot be delayed any further and state funding should be discussed in a few years' time.

In a letter sent this morning to justice minister Owen Bonnici, the PN deputy leader, Beppe Fenech Adami called for the creation of a working group, “to compile a report within a months time, and present concrete proposals on state financing of political parties based on existing European models.”

Malta is one of very few countries within the EU where state financing is not in place.

“The PN believes that political consensus should exist on this matter to legitimize the Maltese political process and ensure that collective good is the process’ main aim.”

While noting that it backs government’s proposals on the party financing law, which was announced two weeks ago, the PN echoed Alternattiva Demokratika’s calls for the introduction of party financing by the state.

The PN said that political parties are the means for people to fulfill their aspirations “in an open and free political process. For this to happen, parties must have all necessary tools to work for the many in a transparent manner.”

In reply, justice minister Owen Bonnici said the “law on party financing cannot be delayed any longer.”

Explaining that the draft law imposes clear regulations on how parties can collect donations and manage their finances, Bonnici insisted that the law “must be approved by Parliament before summer recess in the best interest of the country and its reputation.”

He added that government “doesn’t believe that this is the right time to kick-start a debate on state funding.” The minister added that parties must first prove their commitment to transparent administration of their finances.

“Only once the implantation of the law is successful in its first years can the country start discussing other developments,” he said, adding that such a discussion should not be limited to the two parties in Parliament.