Updated 1300
Momentum warns against compensating illegal outdoor structures after Storm Harry: Momentum has urged authorities to exclude illegally placed outdoor furniture from eligibility under the Storm Harry damage assistance scheme, warning that public funds must not reward unlawful use of public land. The party said the scheme’s reference to outdoor furniture lacks safeguards on permit compliance and risks compensating establishments that encroached on coastal and public spaces. Momentum called for strict permit verification by Transport Malta and other authorities, arguing post-storm clean-up should enforce legality and reassess risks of structures in vulnerable coastal areas. (Maltatoday)
Education Ministry Withholds MCAST Payroll Inquiry Report: The Education Ministry is refusing to publish an independent inquiry into MCAST’s payroll systems, ordered after a €2.3 million fraud allegedly carried out by former manager Francine Farrugia. While the ministry says disciplinary action will follow and that payroll controls were found to be substandard, it has only released a summary rather than the full report. Times of Malta noted MCAST had been warned by the auditor general in 2019 about weak controls, years before the alleged fraud occurred. (Times of Malta)
MP Calls for EU-Wide Adoption of Malta’s Energy Subsidy Model: Government MP and economist Alex Muscat said Malta should ignore European Commission calls to scrap energy subsidies, arguing instead that the EU should replicate Malta’s approach across all member states. He said subsidies keep bills affordable, boost economic activity by leaving more money in households’ pockets, and help counter economic stagnation, especially during harsh winters. Muscat rejected austerity, citing Malta’s deficit reduction, strong growth, and manageable debt-to-GDP ratio, and argued that investing in people delivers better economic outcomes than cutting support. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Deepfake Bill in the Pipeline as Abela Backs Youth-Led Push for Safeguards
Government will be tabling legislation to curb the improper use of deepfakes, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced during a discussion with teenagers at The Hub in Malta. He said the Ministry for Justice is reviewing existing laws to address the growing harm caused by manipulated content, describing it as an “ugly reality” requiring timely action. The proposal originated from ideas raised during a joint meeting of the National Youth Parliament and the Youth Advisory Forum, which Abela credited for prompting the move. The announcement was made during a Room4Ideas discussion focused on placing children at the centre of policymaking, where topics ranged from education to social media. Abela also confirmed that a Green Paper is examining possible restrictions on social media use for under-13s, stressing that while a total ban is not an option, inaction could place vulnerable people at risk. (Times of Malta)
PN Leader Urges Talks on Chief Justice and Raises Objections to Malta’s Peace Board Invitation
Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg has called on Prime Minister Robert Abela to open discussions on the appointment of a new Chief Justice, insisting the role should not become a political football. Speaking at a political activity in Valletta, Borg said he is ready to meet Abela immediately and put forward more than one possible candidate, arguing the position must serve the interests of justice regardless of who is in government. He also objected to Malta’s potential participation in the Peace Board established by US president Donald Trump, saying the invitation only became public after a parliamentary question. Borg said Malta’s neutrality cannot be applied selectively and called for a parliamentary debate, warning of higher financial and political costs. He reiterated the party’s commitment to European values and said the PN is contesting the next general election to win. (TVM News)
EU Must Weigh ‘Tax on Geography’, Says Malta Business Bureau CEO
The European Union should introduce “insularity tests” when drafting new legislation to ensure a fairer impact on islands and peripheral regions, according to Malta Business Bureau CEO Mario Xuereb. He said the Single Market remains the EU’s greatest achievement but still creates disproportionate challenges for Malta because of structural disadvantages linked to geography, which he described as a “tax on geography”. Xuereb said every directive should assess how islands are affected, noting that mainland Europe often struggles to grasp these realities. He added that Malta works with other island states to push this argument at EU level. Looking ahead, Xuereb said upcoming initiatives such as the Public Procurement Act, the Circular Economy Act and the Digital Omnibus should all be assessed through this lens to ensure genuine equal access for businesses across the Union. (The Malta Independent)
