Watch: Housing and tourism shape mood in first district

Malta’s first district may house the country’s seats of power, but some residents say they feel increasingly powerless in communities reshaped by tourism, housing pressure and community life.

Times of Malta visited some of the localities in the district, which include Valletta, part of Birkirkara, Fleur-de-Lys, Floriana, Ħamrun, Marsa, Guardamangia and Santa Venera.

The first district has long been considered a political battleground, with voting results often reflecting the country’s broader mood. Times of Malta spoke to residents, many of them older voters, about what they care about politically as well as what they are tired of seeing.

In Floriana, Doreen Gatt, 77, who grew up in the locality only to return in recent years, said the area had changed significantly.

“Floriana seems to just be getting smaller and smaller. You just see guesthouses and Airbnbs here these days.”

Traffic and parking had become such a problem that Gatt is reluctant to even use her car as much, so she does not lose her parking space.

'Completely detached from the political system'

The number of Airbnbs and guest houses was also noticeable during Times of Malta’s walk around the locality.

Earlier this year, Floriana mayor Nigel Holland warned his locality risked being dominated by offices and hotels, with few residents remaining.

As commercial spaces continue to spread, some residents said they were struggling to keep up.

Housing was raised by several residents who preferred not to be named.

They included a Maltese homeless man who said he felt completely detached from the political system, as well as a young mother expecting her second child, who said she could not afford to rent and was living in a one-bedroom flat with at least five other people.

Housing was also a concern in Valletta, where a Maltese man shared that he was living in a garage due to the high cost of rent.

Another Valletta resident, 66-year-old Joseph Pace, from the Mandraġġ area, said housing and tourism were among his concerns.

Pace said he was worried by promises being made during the election campaign.

'Candidates are offering absolutely everything'

“I am scared that the candidates are offering absolutely everything, and there is no plan for debt.”

However, he said he remained hopeful about voters. “I don’t think people are as stupid as they are being made out to be.”

That reluctance to speak openly about political beliefs was felt across the district.

Several residents said they did not want to share their views publicly because they feared that whoever ended up in government could retaliate against them if they were seen to support the opposing party.

In Ħamrun, more than a handful of people refused to discuss anything politically related, even something as simple as how traffic affects their lives.

Among those who did speak was 31-year-old Jordan Hili, who said he was less interested in which party would benefit him financially and more concerned with protecting life.

“I want abortion and euthanasia to remain illegal. That’s the most important thing to me. At the end, the money comes and goes, but life itself is too precious.”

Hili also said he was concerned that both major parties had been tainted by corruption. He said politicians should focus on taking care of the people, rather than themselves.

'I will die and Malta will be left in this state'

Mario Camenzuli, 82, from Ħamrun, said his main concerns were taxes and having enough money in his pocket.

“What’s important is that if you need a pound, you will find it. And in Malta, you won’t find one, you will find two or three,” he smiled.

He said he also wanted an end to political mudslinging. “If we stopped all this useless talking and hate that politics creates, we would be much better off as a country.”

Another concern raised by multiple people was the presence of foreigners, whether tourists or migrants.

Freddie Dimech, 89, from Ħamrun, said he had lived in the locality all his life, but felt his area had been "taken over", specifying that he did not hate foreigners.

“What upsets me the most is that I will die and Malta will be left in this state.”