PM says budget was possible as Malta has best EU economy
Prime Minister Robert Abela defended Budget 2026 as a highly positive package, highlighting a €9.3 billion investment and measures he says “left money in people’s pockets”. He argued that middle-class couples earning under €60,000 could save €257,000 over 25 years thanks to tax reforms, insisting this was possible because Malta has “the best economy in the EU”. Abela refused to comment on opinion surveys, reiterating that the real test is an election and everyday conversations with families. He stressed that financial security remains government’s top priority, describing it as essential to quality of life. Addressing housing affordability, he pointed to measures such as the €10,000 grant for first-time buyers, preferential tax rates and the equity-sharing scheme, noting that few countries intervene so directly to support property purchasers. (Times of Malta)
PN leaders pledgesgovernment funded GP for elderly
Opposition Leader Alex Borg said a Nationalist government would introduce concrete guarantees in healthcare, including a fast-track system for urgent operations and a government-funded family doctor service for elderly people and pensioners to ensure continuity of care. In an interview in the PN club in Isla, Borg accused the Prime Minister of performing a U-turn after signalling he would not call an early election. He criticised the government for quietly increasing Medicines Authority fees and pharmacy licence charges, saying some tripled and will now lead to higher medicine prices. Borg argued the Budget failed to address core pressures such as cost of living, out-of-stock medicines, traffic and environmental neglect. He pledged that a future PN government would cut taxes, introduce a Child Trust Fund, pilot a four-day week, expand green spaces and invest seriously in mass transport. (TVM News)
Government and social partners to conduct study on AI’s impacty on society
Government and the MCESD have agreed to commission a study on how Artificial Intelligence can be better deployed by Maltese businesses and within the labour market. The initiative followed a request by Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul, who stressed that Malta must prepare for the significant workplace changes AI will bring. Ellul highlighted ongoing government investment in skills development for Maltese and Gozitan workers and praised the constructive dialogue taking place within the MCESD. He described the study as part of wider efforts to understand AI’s economic impact and its role in the Government’s long-term vision, including its relevance to remote working and the Right to Disconnect. Ellul said the Government has a crucial role in driving discussions on issues that directly affect workers’ lives, noting broad agreement among social partners on the need for forward-looking research. (Maltatoday)
