Questions raised over political activity in public contracts

The award of a state funded consultancy contract by Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti to former minister Chris Cardona has generated renewed scrutiny over the boundaries between public administration and partisan political activity in Malta. Documentation obtained by The Shift indicates that the contract obliges Cardona not only to provide advisory services but also to attend “political events” as part of his formal duties.

The arrangement has prompted concern among governance observers and within the governing Labour Party itself due to the long standing prohibition on the use of public funds for party political purposes. While political appointments within ministries are not uncommon the explicit inclusion of political activity within a publicly financed contract has raised legal and ethical questions.

Details of the appointment and financial terms

Keith Azzopardi Tanti serves as a parliamentary secretary within the education ministry. Earlier this year he appointed Chris Cardona as a person of trust on a contract requiring ten hours of work per week. The contract provides for remuneration of seventy euro per hour which equates to approximately thirty six thousand euro annually.

According to the contract terms the role is not a full time position and does not require a permanent physical presence at the ministry. The flexibility of the arrangement is typical of person of trust appointments which are often framed as advisory roles offering expertise to ministers or parliamentary secretaries.

However the scope of the duties described in the contract goes beyond conventional policy advice. In addition to tasks such as drafting material and liaising with stakeholders the annexe to the contract expressly refers to attendance at political events and meetings.

Attendance at political events as a contractual obligation

The most contentious clause in the agreement concerns the requirement for Cardona to attend political events. While the contract does not identify specific events or locations the obligation is set out as a formal duty linked to remuneration from public funds.

Government sources cited by The Shift have indicated that Cardona is expected to accompany Azzopardi Tanti to activities within his electoral district. This interpretation has intensified criticism that the contract may serve electoral objectives rather than the public interest.

Under Maltese rules governing public expenditure state resources are not to be used for partisan political activity. The inclusion of political engagement within a publicly financed contract therefore risks breaching established administrative norms even if the wording remains broad.

Background of Chris Cardona and relevance to the role

Chris Cardona is a former deputy leader of the Labour Party and previously served as a government minister. He withdrew from frontline politics following the forced resignation of former prime minister Joseph Muscat amid corruption scandals that significantly affected public trust in political institutions.

While Cardona has long experience in political strategy and party organisation he does not have a professional background in youth policy which is the area formally covered by the contract. The agreement does not require him to work from the education ministry nor does it specify deliverables commonly associated with policy development.

His formal responsibilities are described as advising on youth policy liaising with politicians drafting press releases and monitoring media coverage. Critics have pointed out that these functions overlap with political communications rather than substantive policy work.

The emphasis placed on attendance at political events within the annexe has been cited as evidence that the arrangement may prioritise political visibility and networking over administrative outcomes.

Electoral context and district dynamics

The political context surrounding the appointment is central to understanding the controversy. Keith Azzopardi Tanti was elected from the first electoral district which includes Valletta Floriana and Hamrun. Recent boundary changes have altered the composition of the district by adding parts of Birkirkara.

Birkirkara has historically been a stronghold for the Nationalist Party. Azzopardi Tanti is relatively unknown in that locality and faces challenges in building electoral support ahead of the next general election.

Chris Cardona by contrast previously enjoyed strong popularity in Birkirkara where he was once among Labour’s most successful candidates. His presence at political activities in the area could therefore provide tangible electoral advantages to Azzopardi Tanti.

Observers have suggested that the contract may be designed to leverage Cardona’s local influence to bolster canvassing efforts. While such strategies are common within party structures the use of state funds to support them raises governance concerns.

Internal party reactions and reported complaints

Information shared with The Shift indicates that the arrangement has caused unease among other Labour candidates contesting the same district. In particular Ramona Attard and Edward Zammit Lewis are reported to be irritated by what they view as an unfair advantage facilitated through public resources.

The matter has reportedly been brought to the attention of Prime Minister Robert Abela. While no formal statement has been issued on this specific issue the reported complaints reflect broader tensions within the party over access to resources and internal competition.

Such disputes underscore the sensitivity of person of trust appointments especially when they intersect with electoral considerations. The perception of preferential treatment can erode confidence both within political parties and among the wider public.

Response from Keith Azzopardi Tanti

Keith Azzopardi Tanti has publicly denied that the contract was awarded to secure political assistance. He has stated that Chris Cardona was engaged for his experience in research and innovation acquired during his tenure at the economy ministry.

This explanation has been met with scepticism due to the wording of the contract which specifies youth policy as the relevant area of work. The contract does not reference research or innovation nor does it outline projects or initiatives linked to those fields.

The discrepancy between the stated rationale and the documented terms has fuelled calls for greater clarity. Critics argue that if the engagement were genuinely focused on policy expertise the contract would reflect that emphasis more clearly.

Broader concerns over transparency and accountability

The case has emerged amid increasing criticism of the government’s approach to consultancy and person of trust contracts. Journalists and civil society groups have repeatedly raised concerns over limited transparency and resistance to scrutiny.

Ministers and parliamentary secretaries have in several instances resisted freedom of information requests and parliamentary questions relating to such appointments. This has made it difficult to assess the value for money and public benefit of these arrangements.

According to information obtained by The Shift similar contracts have proliferated across multiple ministries. Many are characterised by vague job descriptions limited oversight and an absence of measurable outputs.

Critics have described some of these roles as “phantom jobs” arguing that they deliver little demonstrable public value while serving political or personal interests. Government officials have generally rejected this characterisation maintaining that flexibility is necessary to attract expertise.

Legal and ethical implications

From a legal perspective the central issue is whether the inclusion of political activity within a publicly funded contract is compatible with Maltese administrative law. While political appointments are permitted the use of state resources for partisan purposes is restricted.

Ethically the situation raises questions about the stewardship of public funds and the appearance of impropriety. Even where conduct may fall within technical legal boundaries the perception of misuse can undermine trust in institutions.

The explicit reference to political events within the contract annexe is particularly sensitive. It blurs the line between legitimate advisory support and political campaigning which is ordinarily financed through party resources.

Calls for clearer safeguards

Governance experts have argued that clearer safeguards are needed to delineate the scope of person of trust roles. These could include more precise job descriptions defined deliverables and explicit prohibitions on partisan activity.

Enhanced parliamentary oversight and proactive disclosure of contracts could also mitigate concerns. Transparency allows for informed public debate and reduces the risk of misunderstandings or allegations of misuse.

As Malta continues to grapple with issues of governance and accountability cases such as this highlight the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between the state and political parties.

Conclusion

The contract awarded by Keith Azzopardi Tanti to Chris Cardona illustrates the complex interplay between political strategy and public administration. While the appointment may be defended as a lawful engagement the inclusion of duties related to political events has raised legitimate questions.

At a time when public confidence in institutions remains fragile the need for transparency restraint and adherence to established norms is particularly acute. How this and similar cases are addressed will shape perceptions of governance standards in the years ahead.

FAQs

What is a person of trust contract?
It is a form of political appointment that allows ministers or parliamentary secretaries to engage individuals for advisory or support roles based on confidence rather than standard civil service procedures.

Why is this contract controversial?
The controversy arises because the contract includes an obligation to attend political events despite being funded by public money which raises concerns about the separation of state resources and party politics.

What duties are outlined in the contract?
The duties include advising on youth policy liaising with politicians drafting press releases monitoring media coverage and attending political events as specified in the contract annexe.

Is attending political events allowed under public contracts?
Maltese rules prohibit the use of public funds for partisan political activity which makes such obligations legally and ethically sensitive.

What explanation has Keith Azzopardi Tanti given?
He has stated that Chris Cardona was engaged for his experience in research and innovation although the contract itself refers to youth policy.

Does Chris Cardona have experience in youth policy?
There is no publicly documented professional background linking him specifically to youth policy which has contributed to criticism of the appointment.

How much is the contract worth?
The contract pays seventy euro per hour for ten hours per week amounting to around thirty six thousand euro per year.

Have there been internal party reactions?
Reports indicate dissatisfaction among other Labour candidates in the same district and that the issue has been raised with the prime minister.

Is this an isolated case?
According to information reported by The Shift similar consultancy arrangements are widespread across several ministries.

What reforms have been suggested?
Observers have called for clearer job descriptions stronger oversight greater transparency and explicit limits on political activity within publicly funded contracts.