Updated 1100
Malta’s economy needs CPR – Chamber CEO
Malta’s economy is overheating, and the time for gradual adjustments has passed, the CEO of the Malta Chamber has warned. Marthese Portelli insists that the country now needs comprehensive and immediate action to tackle its economic challenges. “The country needs CPR. We need a government that connects, plans, and reforms,” Portelli states in an interview with the Times of Malta. In its pre-budget 2025 document released last week, the Malta Chamber of Commerce calls for a shift in the country’s economic strategy towards high-value industries, better governance, and more careful management of public resources. “We need to accelerate the implementation of all necessary decisions in Malta’s interest, some of which may not be immediately popular but will benefit the country in the long run.” (Times of Malta)
Royal visit planned for 60th Independence anniversary
Malta will celebrate 60 years of independence with a royal visit from its former colonial ruler, the government has announced. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will visit Malta from October 7th to 10th to commemorate the 60th anniversary of independence. The Duke of Edinburgh, Edward, is the youngest brother of King Charles. He married Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones in 1999, and they were granted the titles of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh by King Charles in March of last year. The announcement of their visit was made through a joint statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, by the Maltese government and the British High Commission in Malta. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Electoral commission concerned on extensive ID card scandal
The Electoral Commission has expressed concern about the potential impact the extensive Identità scandal could have on the accuracy of the electoral registers. The Commission manages three electoral registers that list eligible voters for the general, local, and European Parliament elections. These registers are updated twice a year using information provided by Identità. Chief Electoral Commissioner Joseph Camilleri told MaltaToday that the Commission “is following this matter very closely.” “We already had concerns over the manner by which Identità handled the ID cards process when the Siġġiewi debacle erupted before June’s local elections; the latest revelations concerning allegations of massive fraud simply made matters worse,” an official said. (Maltatoday)
Constable renting substandard accommodation resigns
Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà said that the police constable who was found renting out substandard accommodation to 16 tenants in violation of planning regulations has resigned from the force. Gafà also disclosed that disciplinary measures were taken against the officer responsible for last month’s procedural error that resulted in the notorious Mohamed Ali Ahmed Elmushraty being released from court after his arrest was deemed invalid. Earlier this week, a Times of Malta investigation uncovered that Constable Gosef Tanti had rented out an apartment on Norfolk Street in Sliema to nearly three times the number of tenants allowed by law. Tanti admitted to subletting the property in violation of regulations that limit the number of unrelated tenants to six per dwelling. (Times of Malta)
Chronic medical understaffing – MAM President
Martin Balzan, the president of the Medical Association of Malta (MAM) has revealed that the union has been in discussions with the Health Ministry for the past year to develop both financial and non-financial incentives to attract more professionals to work in casualty, aiming to address the “chronic medical understaffing” in the field. He said that while he does not represent nurses, there is also a shortage of many other healthcare professionals such as nurses, radiographers and more. This problem is all across the board, Balzan said. “Infrastructure is insufficient, medical staff is insufficient, however, the quality and training of doctors is excellent,” Balzan pointed out.
