The Malta Independent 13 August 2026, Thursday
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High-rise moratorium and vacant home tax among Momentum’s five manifesto pledges

Thursday, 30 April 2026, 17:56 Last update: about 4 months ago

Momentum has unveiled five new commitments as part of its 2026 electoral programme, positioning them as policies not offered by the two main parties.

The party is proposing a two-year moratorium on permits for buildings of ten floors or higher to reassess the impact of high-rise developments on communities, infrastructure, and heritage.

Momentum also wants to introduce independent annual audits of all elected officials' assets, to be carried out by the National Audit Office within 90 days of taking office and annually thereafter.

The party is proposing a tax on second vacant residential properties, with revenues earmarked for social housing and exemptions for primary and secondary homes that are in use.

Momentum is further pledging to replace the current Freedom of Information framework with an "Open Malta Act," which would require proactive publication of government information, remove ministerial veto powers, and impose fines for delays.

The party also plans to rebuild the Planning Authority as an independent body, staffed by experts without conflicts of interest, to restore public trust in planning decisions.

Alastair Farrugia, candidate for Momentum in the 4th and 5th districts, said that "both parties have had decades to fix these problems and have chosen not to."

He added that Momentum is "the only political party promising a real change from decades of damage to our environment, our health, and our quality of life."

All proposals are conditional on Momentum gaining representation in the next Parliament, where it says it will work to implement them.

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