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Government puts forward Miriam Hayman’s name for Chief Justice – reports
The government has put forward Judge Miriam Hayman as its nominee for Malta’s next chief justice. The proposal was discussed at a recent meeting between Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and his Nationalist Party counterpart Joe Giglio, according to Times of Malta. The nomination process resumed earlier this month after the government’s previous candidate, Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera, failed to secure the required two-thirds parliamentary majority. Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition leader Alex Borg later described their renewed talks as a “healthy discussion”. On Thursday, Abela rejected claims by Borg that the government was seeking to delay the appointment until after a general election.
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Apartment Boom Drives 54% Surge in New Home Approvals: Nearly three-quarters of new homes approved in Q4 2025 were apartments, as total approvals rose 54.4% year-on-year to 3,487 units, according to the National Statistics Office. Building permits increased 52.3% to 597, averaging 5.8 dwellings per permit. Apartments led with 2,505 units, followed by penthouses (551), maisonettes (291), terraced houses (98) and other units (42). Malta recorded a 53.6% rise in approvals, while Gozo and Comino saw a 59.1% increase. The Northern Harbour district had the most approvals (1,276), with Santa Venera (263) topping localities. (Maltatoday)
€44,000 Microsoft Boost to Power Maltese Language in AI: The SaqWI Project, led by the Ċentru tal-Ilsien Malti with the University of Malta and supported by Microsoft, has secured nearly €44,000 to advance Maltese language resources in Artificial Intelligence. Using PBS audiovisual archives, the initiative will build a culturally relevant dataset of thousands of Q&As and broadcast transcriptions to train AI models. A pilot focused on 6pm news bulletins aims to enhance subtitles and accessibility. The project also establishes a public dataset for research and education, strengthening Malta’s digital presence and long-term relevance. (TVM News)
Malta Marathon Returns with Traffic Safety Measures: The Malta Marathon returns this Sunday, prompting Transport Malta to implement a detailed traffic-management plan to ensure safety for athletes and the public. The race starts at 6:45am in Saqqajja, Rabat, and finishes around 1pm in Sliema, covering major and secondary roads. Authorities urge motorists to follow signage, exercise caution near runners, and note that roads will reopen promptly after athletes pass. Real-time updates, including road closures and reopenings, will be available via the TM Alerts app. Public cooperation is key to ensuring the smooth running of this high-profile national sporting event. (TVM News)
Morning Briefing
Government Doubles Grant to Bring Vacant Homes Back into Use
The government has doubled the grant available under the Rehabilitation of Vacant Dwellings for Rent scheme from €25,000 to €50,000, in a move aimed at boosting the supply of affordable housing. The updated scheme also lowers the eligibility threshold from properties over 30 years old to those over 20 years old, broadening access for owners seeking to renovate long-unused homes. Properties vacant for more than a year can be refurbished with state support and then leased to the Housing Authority for a ten-year period under the Nikru biex Nassistu scheme. The measure is intended to provide stable income for owners while guaranteeing long-term housing for families in need. The government described the model as a practical step to restore neglected buildings, raise residential standards and ease pressure on the housing market. (Times of Malta)
PN Warns Labour Model Is Reaching Its Limits
The Nationalist Party has intensified its criticism of the government’s labour migration approach, arguing that economic growth built primarily on workforce expansion is no longer sustainable. Citing recent assessments by the International Monetary Fund, the party said Malta’s labour-intensive model is approaching structural limits due to infrastructure strain, population density and tight labour markets. The IMF noted in its 2025 conclusions that the current migration approach appears reactive rather than part of a coordinated long-term workforce strategy. The PN also pointed to findings from the OECD highlighting weaknesses in skills forecasting and workforce planning, and warned that around 30% of jobs could be significantly affected by automation. The party called for a strategic shift towards productivity, investment in skills mapping and stronger data-driven policy planning. (The Malta Independent)
Bill to Combat Loneliness and Regulate Youth Social Media Use tabled in Parliament
The Nationalist Party has presented a private member’s bill proposing a national strategy to address loneliness and social isolation, alongside tighter safeguards for minors online. The draft law calls for the creation of a National Advisory Council on Loneliness and Social Connection to coordinate policy, informed by professionals and individuals with lived experience. The proposal introduces a mandatory Social Connection Impact Statement, requiring ministries to assess how new policies may affect social well-being. It also seeks reforms in education to strengthen emotional literacy and life skills. A key provision would require social media platforms to activate default safeguards on accounts belonging to under-16s, including disabling features such as infinite scroll and auto-play overnight. The bill frames loneliness as a growing public health concern requiring coordinated national action. (Maltatoday)
