These are the main stories from today’s newspapers.
The Times reports on the launch of a public consultation paper aiming to create more balance among genders in the House of Representatives. Steering Committee chair Prof. Carmen Sammut said that the documents proposes increasing the number of MPs in the event where one gender does not reach a minimum 40 percent representation.
MaltaToday also covers the story and says that the proposed measures provide for up to twelve additional Members of Parliament to be elected. The document includes other measures including state-financing to encourage parties increase participation of women.
L-Orizzont says that the share of women in parliament today is 15 percent, half the average in other EU parliaments. The paper quotes Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who said the proposed measures would bring ambitious changes and ‘shock the system’. In another story, L-Orizzont publishes a statement by the General Workers Union expressing satisfaction at the launching of the consultation document.
The Malta Independent says that the European Parliament adopted a position presented by its Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance, which identified ‘tax haven characteristics’ in six member states, including Malta.
The Times says the vote in the EP passed with 505 MEPs in favour and 63 against. In reaction, a government spokesperson said that the position singling out six member states was convenient to some countries.
In-Nazzjon says that PN MEPs defended the interests of Malta in the European Parliament and voted against the position. The paper says that the vote increases the pressure on countries to revise taxation systems.
The Malta Independent sent questions to PN Leader Adrian Delia about claims of money laundering but the paper says went unanswered. Asked whether the party leader would request an inquiry into the allegations, a spokesperson replied that an inquiry related to falsified signatures was already underway.
MaltaToday reports that the Ornis Committee rejected a proposal by the Federation of Hunters (FKNK) to lift a moratorium on the hunting of turtle dove during spring. Representatives of the FKNK were the only committee members to vote in favour.
In-Nazzjon quotes PN spokesperson for finance Mario de Marco who said that the latest report on Malta by the European Council’s Moneyval Committee exposes the failure of government.
In other stories we read:
League leader and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said Italy’s abortion law would not change amid a row with government partner the 5-Star Movement (M5S) after 40 League MPs filed a bill to make the unborn child a “legal subject”.
Speed limiting technology looks set to become mandatory for all vehicles sold in Europe from 2022, after new rules were provisionally agreed by the EU.
Kurdish Syrian fighters that defeated and removed ISIS fighter from their last strongholds called for an international tribunal to prosecute hundreds of foreigners rounded up in the nearly five-year campaign against the extremist group.
In an extensive interview with the Daily Telegraph, Clarence Mitchell, the family McCann spokesman, offers a rare insight into the case of Madeleine McCann. He said that Gerry and Kate McCann remain hopeful that eventually she will be found alive after many years.
