Alternattiva Demokratika said the budget was delivered in a surreal context, given that rebel MP Franco Debono was promising to vote against it.

“If Franco Debono’s statement holds, the Budget will not be approved. Unfortunately Malta will have to keep guessing on the election date, given the current political situation,” said AD chairman Michael Briguglio.

Although the Budget itself contained some positive measures, it lacked a progressive direction, especially for low- to mid-income earners, according to the Greens.

“Notwithstanding Malta’s relatively positive economic performance, there are growing inequalities in Maltese society which are not being catered for,” Mr Briguglio said.

He pointed out that the minimum wage and disability pension were not increased and income tax deductions will not benefit the vast majority of workers who earn less than €19,500.

“We hope the Nationalist Party’s electoral considerations in income tax deductions will not have a negative impact on the sustainability of public finance,” Mr Briguglio said.

On the other hand, AD welcomed the increased investment in education and health and in the children’s allowance, especially for minimum wage earners.

It also welcomed the extension of eligibility for disability pensions.

But family-friendly social policies remained restrictive and government investment in childcare centres remained too low to ensure universal accessibility, according to AD.

Regarding energy, “we welcome incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency, but we insist that these should be Malta’s energy priority,” Mr Briguglio said.

AD also noted that years old wind energy promises remained unresolved.

The distribution of energy efficient water tap equipment was welcomed by the Greens, “yet the theft of water from boreholes remains largely ignored”.