Good morning
These are the main stories on Malta’s newspapers.
MaltaToday publishes results of the latest survey measuring trust ratings in the party leaders, arguing that Adrian Delia’s issues in the past weeks have added to Joseph Muscat’s advantage. The Prime Minister enjoys an all-time high of 54.8 percent trust among voters while the Opposition Leader musters 20.4 percent. Another 20 percent of voters say they trust neither.
The Sunday Times reports that the US government has expressed serious concerns about Malta’s collaboration with Chinese company Huawei. US intelligence considers the tech giant a threat to national security. Malta has an agreement with Huawei for testing of 5G technology.
The Malta Independent on Sunday follows the White Rocks development project after talks between government and the private consortium have stalled. The paper says that the government is valuing the 450,000 square metre site at €120 million, which is almost five times what the investors are offering.
The Sunday Times says that the European Commission has denied claims made by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that a former Justice Commissioner had given the government a written endorsement of the IIP system. Muscat was reacting to comments by current Commissioner Vera Jourova who said that the EU does not endorse Malta’s golden-passport programme.
MaltaToday says that ministers have been told that against the MFSA might find it difficult to repel a case brought against it in the financial services tribunal by the owners of Pilatus Bank. The directors of the now-closed bank are disputing the imposition of controllership by the Authority.
The Malta Independent on Sunday publishes a story about the proposal of fulltime members of parliament. The Nationalist Party is in favour of the change while the Labour Party has yet to take a position. The government said that the matter must be considered within a broader discussion about constitutional reform.
MaltaToday says new measure by the government will propose larger quotas of women representatives in parliament. The system, which has not yet been published, has the backing of both sides of the House in principle.
Illum carries a story about Fantasy Tours owner Karl Azzorpardi is renting holiday property in Gozo despite four enforcement orders against him by the Malta Tourism Authority. Azzopardi is accused of misappropriation of €400,000 worth of customers’ funds.
It-Torċa quotes Freeport CEO Alex Montebello who said that plans are underway to expand the facilities. Montebello told the paper that 2018 was a record-breaking year in terms of volume and the greatest challenge was operating in a limited space.
Kulħadd says that the Nationalist Party has come strongly against the transfer of land to the Corinthia Group as retaliation against former leadership contender Alex Perici Calascione, who is seen as close to rebel MPs close to Simon Busuttil. Perici Calascione has family ties to the hotel company.
Il-Mument says that Education Minister has to return his attention to the ‘’crisis’ in the education system after it emerged that George Vella will be appointed President of the Republic. The paper says that the minister was expecting to be named to the position and was showing lack of interest in his current portfolio.
It-Torċa reports that the General Workers Union has reached an agreement with Italian trade union CGL to collaborate on issues of mutual interest. The paper says the two unions are the biggest in their respective countries.
Kulħadd follows the report by the National Auditor’s Office about an investigation into medical visas issued by the Consulate in Algiers. The paper says that the Auditor General found no serious breach in the process.
Illum says that two businesses are making €1.2 million a month thanks to an oversight by Environment Minister Jose Herrera. A permit was issued in just six days allowing a quarry in Qrendi to collect construction waste. The paper says the Ministry believed the site to be abandoned while it later emerged that was owned by two prominent businesspersons.
It-Torċa says that credit agency Fitch has confirmed Malta’s A+ stable rating. The report by Fitch says that Malta financial performance has been better than those in the same rating category.
Il-Mument quotes Laws Commissioner Franco Debono who said that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is the most corrupt politician in Malta’s history. The paper says that Debono will publish evidence to substantiate his claim.
