Prime Minister Robert Abela has promised that his government will continue delivering economic growth, keep energy prices stable and introduce long-awaited planning appeals reform within the first 100 days of the new legislature.Speaking in an interview with The Sunday Times of Malta, Abela said Labour’s economic track record is “the guarantee of the future”, arguing that Malta continues to outperform the rest of the European Union on employment and economic growth despite being its smallest member state.The Prime Minister also reiterated that the government has no intention of removing subsidies on electricity, fuel and gas, insisting Malta has the fiscal strength to keep prices stable despite ongoing international challenges.“We have sufficient fiscal strength to continue providing subsidies,” Abela said, adding that the next Budget will continue introducing measures aimed at maintaining confidence in the economy and creating more jobs.Planning appeals reform on the wayAbela revealed that a new law reforming Malta’s planning appeals system is in its final stages and will be presented to Parliament within the first 100 days of the legislature.The proposed reform will introduce three major changes:Construction work will not be allowed to begin until all planning appeals, including those before the Court of Appeal, have been concluded.Appeal processes will be subject to shorter, fixed deadlines to provide greater certainty for both applicants and objectors.Developers will be refunded their expenses if a permit issued by the Planning Authority is later overturned by the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal.According to Abela, the reform aims to strike a fair balance between developers and residents challenging permits.Labour migration, transport and manifesto pledgesThe Prime Minister also defended the government’s Labour Migration Policy, saying recent figures show Malta has recorded its second-lowest net increase in foreign workers since 2017, which he described as evidence that the policy is working.He insisted population growth should continue at a slower, more controlled pace while still allowing businesses access to the workers they need.On transport, Abela said the government will continue investing in road infrastructure, sea transport, public transport electrification and studies into mass transit as part of the Malta in Motion strategy.He also rejected claims that 17 beaches are closed to swimmers and pointed to increased enforcement efforts and year-round tourism as examples of government action.Abela concluded by reaffirming that Labour intends to implement its entire ‘Int Malta’ electoral manifesto, including the introduction of the Super Bonus for workers and government support for therapy costs for children with neurodivergent conditions.What do you make of this?•