Record party fundraisers suggest Malta's political heart is pounding

The record sums raised by the major political parties on Sunday could point to a renewed enthusiasm after the general election and hints of the start of a revival for the PN under Adrian Delia, according to political commentators.

Between them, the Nationalist and Labour parties raised a staggering €1.23 million in their annual fundraising telethons – with individual records for both parties of €620,497 and €611,319 respectively.

For the PN, the success was particularly striking in the context of the recent heavy electoral defeat and poll figures since then showing some of the lowest ever support levels for both the party and its new leader.

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George Vital Zammit, a lecturer in public policy at the University of Malta, said the hefty sums showed that political parties remained “not only important, but crucial” for the public, especially as the donations came at a time of year when many also donated to charity.

With this the first major collection after a general election, Dr Vital Zammit said, it was understandable that supporters of the winning party would have renewed energy and motivation to donate, with the PL riding the wave of its...