Updated 1110
Food drives inflation up in May
Inflation in Malta edged up slightly in May 2025, with the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) showing an annual rate of 2.7%, compared to 2.6% in April. The 12-month moving average for May stood at 2.2%. The main driver behind the increase was rising prices in food and non-alcoholic beverages, which contributed +0.72 percentage points to the overall inflation rate. On the other hand, the Communication Index provided the largest downward pull, easing inflation by -0.13 percentage points. While the shift is modest, the continued pressure from food prices suggests a persistent trend that households are likely to feel, especially in their day-to-day spending.
More residents evacuated in Paceville
More residents living near the site of last week’s building collapse in Paceville were evacuated in recent hours as the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) reviewed clean-up methods. In a statement on Wednesday, the BCA said the area remains under constant surveillance and additional safety measures have been taken for nearby buildings, with support from the Civil Protection Department and police. The authority is also offering assistance to those affected and will revise its approach to clearing the site. Residents can call emergency line 99097867 for support. The evacuations follow Sunday’s controlled demolition of the remaining part of the Tania Flats building. Shop owners nearby expressed confusion after finding police tape across their entrances, claiming they were not informed. (Times of Malta)
Gozo fast ferry under pressure – GBC
The Gozo fast ferry is under pressure during peak hours due to rising demand, says Gozo Business Chamber CEO Daniel Borg. While the service is proving successful, he highlighted a need for more trips, especially during busy periods. A key issue is the two-hour gap between the 7:45am and 9:45am ferries from Gozo, with no service in between. Borg noted that Gozitans rely on the ferry for work, medical appointments, and studies, while tourists increasingly use it from late morning onwards. NSO figures show ferry trips rose by 33.3% in the first quarter of 2025, while passenger numbers jumped by 37.5%. He also called for more evening trips in summer to support Gozo’s cultural calendar. Regular commuters told Times of Malta they often face long queues, even with pre-booked tickets.
Morning Briefing
Government, Opposition clash on redrawing of electoral districts
During a parliamentary debate on proposed changes to Malta’s electoral district boundaries, government and opposition MPs took sharply different positions. Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon backed the majority report by the Electoral Commission, which proposes minimal changes affecting 21,000 voters. He warned against radical shifts that would split communities and risk constitutional imbalance. Falzon defended the current system’s proportionality and arguing that drastic changes are unnecessary and potentially damaging. PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami, however, supported the minority report, insisting that redrawing district lines must respect geographic continuity. He warned against gerrymandering, recalling how past abuses in the 1980s distorted results. (The Malta Independent)
Majaor Esports firm to establish operations in Malta
Esports giant BLAST is establishing a permanent studio and operations centre in Malta, marking a major step for the country’s growing role in the global esports and digital innovation scene. Under a three-year agreement, Malta will host nine international events, including the a high-profile tournament this August. The new investment includes a dedicated 1,000-square-metre facility equipped with cutting-edge technology for esports broadcasts, live events, and content creation. The centre will serve as a hub for continuous engagement with the global esports community and aims to attract further growth and collaboration within the sector. This development strengthens Malta’s position as a competitive location for international esports production and operations. (TVM)
Alex Borg emerges as frontrunner in PN survey
Alex Borg has emerged as the clear frontrunner to lead the PN, according to a leaked internal survey seen by Times of Malta. The poll places Adrian Delia in second place and Franco Debono a distant third. Support for Bernard Grech remaining leader also appears weak. Still, the race remains open, with 43% of respondents either undecided or unwilling to name a preferred candidate. The survey was conducted between June 14 and 16, shortly after Roberta Metsola announced she would not be contesting the leadership. It polled 500 PN members, with a margin of error of 4.3%. (Times of Malta)
