The weekend before budget day, as is customary, the finance minister gave us, his cabinet member colleagues, a presentation of the Budget 2025 measures.

My immediate reaction was that this was a positive budget that would receive a strong nod of approval by all Maltese citizens. You are reading this article four days after Clyde Caruana read his budget speech, and I have no doubt that you approve of this budget and that you will find it beneficial for a better quality of life.

Across the board, Budget 2025 received excellent feedback.

National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, were prioritised in Budget 2025.

As a government, we fully believe that the cultural and creative sectors are important social and economic pillars that we want to enhance through more opportunities and direct support to local artists.

Art and culture not only beautify but also enrich a country. We have a fascinating culture that is undoubtedly unique in the Mediterranean.

We have unique local talent. We are blessed with priceless patrimonial heritage. Budget 2025 recognizes this and is investing fully to make the next leap: a country of quality including and not least in the areas of patrimonial heritage, art, and culture.

Malta, the exception

Let's put things into perspective. This budget was announced in an international situation, which is far from stable.

The international geopolitical situation is extremely volatile. Only recently, an International Monetary Fund predicted that major economies within the eurozone are expected to have little to no growth in 2025.

Malta is the exception, with its economy expected to grow significantly.

EU governments are announcing austerity measures causing significant burdens on their people.

In Malta, budget 2025 announced the largest tax cut ever. In neighbouring EU states, fuel prices are sky high. In Malta, the government makes good for the increases as it does for water and electricity prices. Budget 2025 has once again strengthened welfare and pension support.

The word unemployment no longer exists in our vocabulary. We have come a long way. It wasn't always like this.

A chaotic Nationalist Party

Budget 2025 is a stark reminder that sound governance bears fruit.

You might recall the last Nationalist Party administration. Chaos was the order of the day. Then Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had gone to Parliament not to subsidize water and electricity rates but to increase them exponentially.

That was a huge blow to the spending power of our families and small businesses.

The current situation within the Nationalist Party is even more chaotic than the GonziPN days. Opposition leader Bernard Grech is clueless on economic matters, and he shows it.

No mountain too high

Since 2020, the world has been through a lot, and it still is largely.

First, the Covid 19 outbreak in early 2020 and in early 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine.

I remember the early days of Covid 19 having animated discussions within Cabinet with experts on board to ensure that we protect lives and keep our economy afloat.

We had huge challenges that at first seemed insurmountable. But we persevered. Time and again, Labour has proved that no mountain is too high and that together, as one nation, nothing stands in the way of success.

An emotional moment

I must admit that the Malta International Contemporary Arts Space (MICAS) inauguration last week was an emotional moment for me.

MICAS was one of our most ambitious electoral pledges. Returning to the people, 4,000sq.m of previously inaccessible land in the form of a cultural infrastructure project is no walk in the park.

It takes time, hard work, excellent project management, and above all determination to see it through.

I'm indebted to the sheer perseverance of our people in charge of this extraordinary project, led by MICAS executive chair Phyllis Muscat. MICAS is Labour's legacy to the art and cultural scene.

It is a seminal moment in our nation's art and cultural history. Through MICAS, Malta is now reaching out to the world of international art.

Valletta 2028 legacy

Earlier this week, I addressed a European Capital of Culture seminar at the Valletta Design Cluster on Malta's preparations for the European Capital of Culture 2031. I recalled the events of 2018 when Valletta, our capital city, was the European Capital of Culture. 

From an economic point of view, Valletta 2018 was an astounding success. Above all, it has had an extraordinary positive effect on Malta's unique cultural heritage in Valletta and across Malta.

The Valletta Cultural Agency led by my dear friend, and colleague, Jason Micallef, went beyond 2018 and to this very day the Agency has, is and shall keep delivering impressive results for our unique capital city.

We are resolute in securing another term, this time for Vittoriosa and Victoria, Gozo, as the European Capital of Culture in 2031.

Harris vs. Trump

We are days away from a US presidential election that its outcome is too close to call.

It is one of the tightest elections of modern times. Vice President Kamala Harris focused mostly on reproductive rights, which she claims would be done away with in the event of a Donald Trump victory.

The latter has promised the 'biggest repatriation programme in the history of the US.

Both sides have pushed hard to bring out their voter bases. America is currently highly polarised, and the political tension is at its highest. It is in the interest of world order that whatever the outcome normality is restored.

The world's geopolitical situation is already too volatile for further tension and friction.