Malta: Political Developments and Data in 2021

Politics in 2021 were much calmer and more settled than the previous year, despite the wake that government and opposition had still to navigate. Issues of rule of law and financial transparency continued claiming the attention of the government, which chose compliance over contention in the face of external pressure to put its house in order, and thus avoid long-term damage to the national reputation and to the economic well-being experienced in recent years. The coronavirus pandemic maintained its pressure on public finances, but otherwise was handled competently and a semblance of normality returned. The opposition meanwhile failed to overcome internal problems and render itself credibly electable as the 2022 elections drew near.