1745- Latest News update
Times of Malta says Prime Minister Robert Abela and his advisers are hashing out the new cabinet of ministers, which is expected to be appointed in the coming hours.
MaltaToday says 603 new COVID-19 cases were registered on Tuesday, according to open data published online by Malta’s COVID response team.
Newsbook says the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) welcomed prime minister Robert Abela’s announcement that ”its time to lift all Covid restrictions, leaving it up to people to choose how to safeguard their own well being.”
TVM says the Nationalist Party confirmed the districts that candidates elected on two electoral districts will vacate.
Updated 1300
PM deciding on new Cabinet: Prime Minister Robert Abela spent Tuesday morning deciding what his new Cabinet will look like, according to reports. The full list of new ministers is expected to be announced later today. Abela is expected to start summoning MPs on Tuesday to discuss portfolios, with the swearing-in ceremony likely to be held at the palace in Valletta on Wednesday. Ministries such as Foreign Affairs will need a new chief after former minister and Labour party stalwart Evarist Bartolo failed to get re-elected. Reports also indicate that MPs such as Ian Borg want to change portfolio.
Food manufacturers’ see costs skyrocket by 400 per cent: Local food manufacturers are feeling the pain of the Ukraine war, with the cost of raw materials increasing by as much as 400 per cent. Manufacturers may not be able to continue absorbing the price hikes and may have to transfer the costs on to consumers. The price of well-loved Maltese snacks like Twistees may soon rise, as its manufacturer said “all hell has broken loose”. Steve Calleja said prices of certain items increased “dramatically” – by over 400 per cent – since the start of the year, and quotes were only valid for a few hours. “We have been absorbing price hikes, but it is getting to a stage where we need to re-evaluate,” he warned.
603 cases of Covid-19: Newsbook has revealed that 603 new cases were found in the last 24 hours. Although the health authorities have failed to publish the daily update for the second successive day, the Church portal said that the number of active cases now stands at 4,684.
Morning Briefing
Abela places emphasis on trust in first televised discourse
Prime Minister Robert Abela placed emphasis on trust during a televised address on Monday. Speaking shortly after being sworn in as Prime Minister he said that the electoral campaign that came to an end on Thursday was focused on ideas, credibility and competence, rather than mud-slinging.
“The participation of the electorate in the general election is among the strongest in Europe. However, we need to also seek to understand those who did not vote”, he argued. Abela also promised to involve the Opposition and social partners more in the discussions. (Times of Malta)
Herrera and Bartolo to step down from politics
Former ministers and Labour candidates José Herrera and Evarist Bartolo have announced their retirement after failing to get re-elected. Bartolo, who contested the 10th and 12th district, took to Facebook to congratulate all those who have been elected. “The country like the rest of the world is facing major challenges stemming from the pandemic, climate change and the war in Ukraine,” he wrote, and added that Malta needed a good government, a good opposition and the participation of various sectors of the economy for it to move forward. Herrera also thanked those who have supported him in six legislatures.
“Every beginning has an end and after 26 years of service as an MP the time has come to retire from political life,” he wrote on Facebook. (Newsbook)
Cacopardo to step down from ADPD leadership
Carmel Cacopardo has announcing his resignation as ADPD leader, adding that he had informed his colleagues well before the election date. “I am 66 years old today, and I do not think it is in the party’s interest for me to remain leader for much longer,” he wrote in a blog. “I will help as much as I can, not only in the transition to a new leadership but also in the work that needs to be done. I still have more energy left!”
Giglio, Delia not interested in PN leadership
PN MPs Joe Giglio and Adrian Delia excluded themselves from the possibility of running for the top PN posts, which will be open for contest following an electoral defeat. Outgoing leader Bernard Grech has already announced his intention to run to keep his spot.
