Abela Signals Openness to Review Abortion Sentence
Prime Minister Robert Abela said he would support a Cabinet review that could lead to a less severe punishment for a woman who received a suspended sentence after admitting to terminating her pregnancy. Speaking to reporters, Abela said he believes women should not face prison or suspended sentences for abortion. The woman had sought treatment at Mater Dei Hospital after suffering heavy bleeding and informed doctors she had taken medication to end the pregnancy. Evidence in court showed that a doctor reported the case to police following advice from the hospital’s legal department. Abela criticised the legal advice that prompted the report and stressed that women should not fear seeking medical help. He said that while he does not support prison sentences for such cases, this does not mean changing Malta’s laws on abortion, which remain illegal except when a woman’s life is at risk. (Times of Malta)
New Framework to Allow Teenagers to Run Companies
The government has announced a new legal framework that will allow young people aged sixteen to eighteen to start and run their own companies. The initiative, called Intrapriża16, removes legal barriers that previously prevented minors from operating businesses. Young entrepreneurs will be supported by the Malta Business Registry, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and JA Malta. The scheme was announced during an event at the Junior College and forms part of measures outlined in this year’s budget. The government said the initiative aims to encourage entrepreneurial thinking among young people and provide practical opportunities for them to develop business skills. (Maltatoday)
Government Spent Nearly €400,000 on Budget Advertising
The government spent almost four hundred thousand euro on advertising related to the 2026 Budget, according to information tabled in Parliament. Replying to a parliamentary question by Opposition MP Jerome Caruana Cilia, the prime minister said the exact amount spent on the information campaign reached €389,753.23. The campaign was organised after the presentation of the budget to explain the measures, initiatives and services included in the plan.Figures also show that spending on similar campaigns has increased in recent years, with around €165,000 spent promoting the 2024 Budget and just over €280,000 allocated to advertising related to the previous year’s budget. (Newsbook)
