The new year is finally here and many have set their resolutions to ring in 2019. After an eventful 2018, what are Maltese personalities looking forward to this year? Denise Grech finds out.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca
President

“I look forward to seeing the people of Malta and Gozo more united. We can disagree with each other, discuss our diverse opinions, without the need for hatred or personal insults. Moreover, each and every one of us, according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, have the right to a ‘private and family life’. 

“I  would like us all to respect this right, even when using social media. 

“I would also like to see more child participation in our democratic processes to ensure that their aspirations are listened to and acted upon.

“This is after all their right, which is enshrined in the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, of which we will commemorate the 30th anniversary this year.”

Joseph Muscat
Prime Minister

“During 2018, Malta has already achieved strong economic growth and unprecedented job creation. Yet, I firmly believe 2019 will be even better for the country. Our optimism is a result of the efforts of all families and businesses who work hard to register the positive results which are making Malta the best in the European Union with the ambition of becoming the envy of the world.

“In the New Year, the government will continue preparing Malta for the future. We will focus more on new technologies like blockchain and AI to ensure careers for students who today are in secondary school. 

“We will continue to invest in infrastructure, from new roads to better connectivity between Malta and Gozo, and from new waste separation and recycling systems to innovative bottle refund programmes. We look forward to strengthening the education, health and culture infrastructure too.

2019 will be a year of hard work on further reforms

“2019 will be a year of hard work on further reforms. We will commence widespread consultation for increased female representation in Parliament and for the constitutional reform. In the New Year, Malta will also become one of the few countries in which 16-year-olds can vote in national elections.  

“While further reducing poverty and tackling challenges of families in need, Malta will keep promoting change as an integral part of its strategy for the future based on a resolve to continue being a living success.”

Adrian Delia
Opposition leader

“On a personal level, I aim to work harder on listening more carefully rather than simply hearing people.

“On a political level, I believe there should be more respect, and therefore will persevere in my fight against hatred in politics.

“Whereas towards the country, I will continue to work in order to achieve a greater environmental conscience to bequeath a cleaner and greener Malta for us and our children.”

Jo Caruana
Actress, writer and businesswoman

“I hope 2019 will be the year that the environment and our heritage genuinely makes it onto the agenda in an effort to rectify some of the blatant damage that has been done in the past. 

“From education to enforcement we need a solid plan to reduce our waste, protect the trees we have and plant thousands of new ones. Air quality is becoming a real worry and this needs to be tackled. 

“In the business front, I hope more and more companies will look into how they cannot only reduce their negative environmental impact but also positively contribute to our community and the future of society.

“We cannot make excuses anymore or hope someone else is going to come up with a solution for the problems facing us.”

Ira Losco
Singer

“I believe in living every year with new challenges you set yourself, a few goals and peace of mind. The latter is always so difficult for me to achieve but I can really do my best to do so. Music is always at the centre of my professional life, while family has taken the centre stage in my personal life.

“I do hope to have more great times at both ends of the spectrum as I did in 2018. 

“As a general thought I sincerely hope that people are more empathic and more considerate to each other, especially on social media which unfortunately has become a vehicle for hate in all generations.”

Victoria Pisani
Activist

“I hope to see more people following the example of Pembroke residents by fighting for what is rightfully theirs. I also expect to see as much attention and empathy given to people in danger at sea as that given to Bella the dog.

“And I hope to see less focus on self-aggrandising displays of charity and more attention given to solutions for a healthy society which genuinely aims at achieving equality by tackling issues, including the minimum wage, rent, domestic violence and the unrelenting destruction of the environment.”

Godfrey Farrugia
Democratic Party leader

“I am looking forward to continue championing political renewal and correctness away from bi-partisan politics. 

“We have to revisit our values, instil a thirst for fairness and rule of law to prevail, and to continue being guardians of our heritage and natural capital. 

“In 2019 we should foster mutual respect despite our differences and work with good sense, to direct economic progress in a sustainable manner so that prosperity is guaranteed. 

“I am a proud European Maltese. As a citizen, family member and a doctor I will continue to cherish the wellbeing of society and the principles that uphold every person’s dignity.”

George Vital Zammit
Public policy lecturer at the University of Malta

“May 2019 remain a prosperous one for Malta with political leaders giving a good example and seeking sustainable endeavours. 

“The environment and air quality cannot remain elusive goals this year. 

“At a European level, I hope 2019 will be a year of hope and renewal. It is paramount that a clearly spelled out vision for Europe paves the way for nation states to remain key actors in promoting peace and stability. 

“Dissent should be embraced and understood, not crushed and ignored.”

Andre Schembri
Footballer

“On a personal level I would like to be more proactive, stop overthinking and be more patient. I would also like to see my country to change from a money centric society to a more principled-centred society.”

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.