Labour MPs received more donations from friends and businessmen than Nationalist deputies, according to the declarations submitted to the Electoral Commission of what they spent on their electoral campaigns.
In the case of incumbent ministers, some of the donations they received raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Read: What did MPs declare in campaign funds?
For example, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo declared that he received a donation of €826 from Silvio Debono, whom he appointed to serve as chairman of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology.
Mr Bartolo declared receiving €2,600 from Finco Trust Group, one of whose directors, Paul Bonello, he appointed as his consultant.
Minster Owen Bonnici was one of the highest recipients of donations yet still had a poor showing. One of his donors, at €1,000, was Mark Attard Montaldo, whom he appointed as a consultant. Dr Bonnici also declared he would ‘boost’ his Facebook account from time to time, and not only in the run-up to the election. For this purpose, he paid €1,093 through his personal Visa card during the 30-day campaign.
Silvio Schembri, who at just 32 was re-elected to Parliament and appointed to be a parliamentary secretary, declared spending €29,794, the highest amount of any MP. The former chairman of the Responsible Gaming Foundation declared that he had received €7,059 from friends during social activities and the rest of the money came out of his own pocket.
Two other Labour newcomers also declared substantial amounts in donations. President George Abela’s son, Robert, declared receiving nearly €27,000 in donations, some at €5,000 each, from a number of friends.
However, he declared spending quite a few thousand less – just €18,628.
Former One News journalist Julia Farrugia Portelli declared spending €9,358 and receiving €9,165 – most of it in services in kind from Montekristo Estates, developers GAP, Żmerc Pub and someone cited as ‘Frankie’.
Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana declared she had paid all expenses from her personal funds. Some of the invoices she presented were marked ‘AC [Assistant Commissioner] Silvio Valletta’ – her husband.