Prime Minister Robert Abela has unveiled a new Cabinet combining continuity with several significant reshuffles and promotions. One of the most notable changes sees Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg taking over the health portfolio, replacing Jo Etienne Abela, who is shifted to tourism. Former deputy prime minister Chris Fearne returns to Cabinet as foreign affairs minister. Another major change sees Byron Camilleri moving from home affairs to education and sports, while Glenn Bedingfield has been promoted to oversee home affairs and national security. Clifton Grima now leads the justice ministry, while Jonathan Attard takes on planning, infrastructure and employment. Meanwhile, Rosianne Cutajar returns to Cabinet with responsibility for equality, while younger MPs including Omar Farrugia and Keith Azzopardi Tanti received ministerial promotions. Clyde Caruana and Silvio Schembri retained the finance and economy portfolios respectively. (Maltatoday)
EC to close Excessive Deficit Procedure against Malta
Malta is set to become the first EU country to exit the excessive deficit procedure after the European Commission recommended closing proceedings against the country on Wednesday. Malta had been placed under the procedure in 2024 after its deficit reached 4.9% of GDP, above the EU’s 3% limit. The Commission said Malta had successfully corrected its excessive deficit, with figures dropping sharply to 2.2% in 2025, well below the EU threshold for the first time since before the pandemic. The improvement follows years of high public spending linked to COVID-19 support measures, energy subsidies and inflation-mitigation schemes. While recommending Malta’s removal from the procedure, the Commission urged continued caution on public expenditure. The decision is expected to be formally approved by EU finance ministers at the ECOFIN meeting in July. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has said Malta’s finances are projected to continue improving, with the country expected to achieve a balanced budget by 2029 or 2030. (Times of Malta)
ADPD approves vote of confidence in Chairperson Gauci
ADPD chairperson Sandra Gauci has indicated that she will remain active in politics after initially suggesting she could step away following last weekend’s general election. In a social media post on Sunday, Gauci said she was satisfied with her electoral result but criticised the gender quota mechanism, which will prevent her from entering Parliament despite securing 594 votes on the sixth district and 950 votes on the 12th district. At the time, Gauci hinted that she was likely to leave politics and take a break from public life. However, she appeared to reverse course, saying the support she received after her comments had left her “speechless”. In a Facebook post, she insisted she would not stay silent and pledged to continue serving as a St Paul’s Bay councillor while remaining chairperson of ADPD. ADPD later confirmed that its executive committee unanimously approved a vote of confidence in Gauci during its first meeting following the election. (The Malta Independent)
