Updated 1200
State should shoulder responsibility, Sofia public inquiry says: The public inquiry established after the death of Jean Paul Sofia at a construction site said that the State should shoulder responsibility for failing to act on a number of situations which it described as “grave mistakes”, including the fact that no authority was responsible for the site in which the tragic death happened. The report says Malta Enterprise and INDIS, two government agencies, should never have allowed land in Corradino to be allocated to the developers, given that their proposal was “objectively lacking in every respect”. PM Robert Abela received a copy of the inquiry report on Wednesday morning and is expected to be tabled in parliament for MPs to discuss when the House convenes this afternoon.
Race to implement new corporate tax regime kicks off as EU directive transposed: Malta has initiated the enforcement of a minimum 15% tax rate for multinational corporations, aligning with an EU directive. The transition period spans six years to mitigate the impact on approximately 660 multinational companies employing 20,000 people in Malta. The new regulations target companies with parent entities earning over €750m annually, formerly benefiting from Malta’s lower tax rates, potentially affecting its competitiveness in attracting foreign investment. This move reflects ongoing debates about tax harmonisation in Europe, with smaller states wary of losing competitiveness under a unified tax system compared to larger counterparts. (Times of Malta)
Morning Briefing
Cardiovascular diseases primary cause of death in Malta
In 2022, cardiovascular disease emerged as the primary cause of death in Malta, claiming the lives of 1,211 individuals. Data presented in parliament reveals that a significant majority of those affected were aged 65 or older, with 1,080 victims falling into this age group. The second leading disease in 2022 was cancer, which claimed the lives of 1,037 people, while respiratory diseases killed 517 people in 2022.
Foundation calls for quick transposition of Daphne’s Law into Maltese legislation
The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation expressed satisfaction with the European Parliament’s approval of the anti-SLAPP directive, also known as Daphne’s Law. This directive establishes minimum standards for safeguarding journalists and public watchdogs from abusive litigation across the EU. The foundation urges Malta to promptly transpose Daphne’s Law into national legislation, emphasizing the need to prevent the weaponization of the law for silencing critics. The legislation should be comprehensive, addressing potential loopholes, and accompanied by measures such as judicial and legal training, aligning with the European Commission’s anti-SLAPP Recommendation and the forthcoming Council of Europe Recommendation, to ensure robust anti-SLAPP protection. Daphne’s Law, a response to the troubling experiences of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who faced 48 lawsuits at the time of her assassination, reflects a collaborative effort in Malta and beyond. Some of these lawsuits remain active over six years after her death. (The Malta Independent)
Government buys premises for three band clubs
The government has acquired the premises of three band clubs facing eviction. Stella Levantina in Attard, Circolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja in Kalkara, and Duke of Connaught’s Own Band Club in Birkirkara were all in jeopardy of losing their homes. The government’s intervention to secure these premises amounted to a total cost exceeding €6 million, with the Birkirkara band club on Valley Road accounting for the majority at €4.5 million. Culture Minister Owen Bonnici noted that this expense included the bailout, damages to the owner, and legal fees. (Times of Malta)
