Good morning
These are the main stories from Malta’s newspaper frontpages.
The Times on Sunday leads with a story claiming that Minister Konrad Mizzi intends to contest the Labour Party leadership race. Party delegates told the paper that Mizzi is reaching out to seek their support.
MaltaToday also runs the story and says that Minister Mizzi has made contact with PL influencer in Gozo Ġuża Cassar. The paper speaks to a party insider who said that while Mizzi is a respected Minister the allegations against him are too big for him be able to carry the party into a general election.
The Malta Independent on Sunday sent questions to suspended Fisheries Department Director General, Andreina Fenech Farrugia, who said that she was singled out for someone else to escape blame in the tuna quotas scandal. Fenech Farrugia insisted that she aws always equally available to operators.
MaltaToday publishes findings of its political sentiment survey for March showing the Nationalist Party gained three points since February but still trails the Labour Party by 15 points. Meanwhile, the survey says over 41 percent of those who voted PN in the last election do not have trust in any of the current political leaders.
It-Torċa also carries results from its own survey and says that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat enjoys twice as much approval than Opposition Leader Adrian Delia. The paper says that trust ratings in Muscat stand at 66 percent while Delia has 32 percent.
The Times on Sunday quotes a statement by NGO Repubblika which warns against a top-down approach to constitutional reform, conducted by the political class behind closed doors. The NGO calls for active participation of civil society in the process.
The Malta Independent on Sunday speaks to construction contractor TACA about Turkish workers being imported to cater for construction projects. The company said that some 250 workers are expected to be involved in the Fortina site development and assured that all documentation and working conditions are being observed.
Kulħadd says that a trust set up by the Nationalist Party to sell property used as local clubs in villages is still active. The paper says that more PN clubs are expected to be put up for sale. In another story, the paper says that former PN leader Simon Busuttil has not been attending the party’s Executive Council meetings for a year.
Illum reports that Opposition Whip Robert Cutajar has asked Maltapost to start scanning letters and packages addressed to the headquarters of the Nationalist Party after an envelope containing cocaine was mailed to the Dar Ċentrali in Pietà.
Il-Mument says that multiple companies are sceptic of investing in Malta after concerns about the financial services industry. The paper says that a report by the IMF, and statements by bodies such as the Chamber of Commerce are a warning.
Kulħadd says that many officers in the disciplined forces are satisfied with the insurance policy introduced by the government against incidents they may suffer on the job. This was an electoral pledge, says that paper.
Illum reports that sources close to government said that President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca will not continue to lead the constitutional reform process after the end of her term in APril. The Office of the President also denied stories that the President wishes to remain responsible for the Community Chest Fund.
It-Torċa quotes the Attorney General who says that abortion remains a criminal act but says that the country would be breach freedom of expression laws if it banned organisations that facilitated abortion arrangements.
Il-Mument quotes PN Secretary General, Clyde Puli, who said that the party is weaving a series of policies that will lead to a strong vote in favour of the weak and against the corrupt. The Secretary General was addressing the PN General Council.
