Momentum has criticised Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela's response to the recent nationwide power cuts, arguing that the government's reaction highlights a failure to plan for predictable challenges such as climate change and growing demand on Malta's infrastructure.
In a statement, the party said the minister had sought to downplay the impact of the outages on residents, businesses and Malta's international reputation by noting that other countries had also experienced power cuts and attributing the disruptions to climate change.
Momentum executive member Graziella Spiteri said climate change could not be treated as an unforeseen event.
"Climate change is not an unforeseen event. Scientists have warned for decades that heatwaves would become more frequent and more intense. Responsible governments prepare critical infrastructure instead of treating every heatwave as an unexpected crisis," she said.
The party argued that while the government has long said its policies are guided by sustainability, there has been little evidence of long-term planning to strengthen the country's infrastructure against the effects of climate change.
Momentum also warned that repeated power cuts could damage Malta's tourism industry, saying reliable infrastructure is essential for visitors.
"Visitors expect electricity, air conditioning and functioning accommodation. Every tourist whose holiday is disrupted is less likely to return or recommend Malta to others," the statement said.
Spiteri added that Malta could not continue pursuing higher tourism numbers without investing in the infrastructure needed to support both residents and visitors.
"Every additional resident and visitor places greater demand on the electricity network, water supply, transport system and public infrastructure. Sustainable tourism is about ensuring Malta has the capacity to accommodate people safely and reliably," she said.
The party also raised concerns about the impact of prolonged blackouts on vulnerable people, noting that some rely on electrically powered medical equipment or refrigeration for medicines such as insulin.
Momentum said that, as a medical doctor, Abela should recognise that extended power cuts are not merely an inconvenience but can pose serious health risks for some people.
The party called on the government to adopt a long-term infrastructure strategy, including greater investment in electricity resilience, a halt to permits for high-rise developments and the installation of solar panels over parking areas.
It said Malta needed resilient infrastructure that protects residents, supports vulnerable people and maintains confidence in the country's tourism sector.