Gozo in focus for Labour on second day of campaign: Day two of the 2026 general election campaign saw the Labour Party focused heavily on Gozo, where Prime Minister Robert Abela announced a package of pledges aimed at improving quality of life and connectivity. These included free Gozo Channel ferry trips for pedestrians, two additional ferries, a new undersea electricity cable linking Gozo to Malta, upgrades to all Gozitan schools by the end of the next legislature, and works on 100 residential roads over the next three years. Abela said Labour’s manifesto would contain 100 proposals for Gozo, while also repeating commitments on increased student stipends and higher support for carers of persons with disability. Meanwhile, MEP Alex Agius Saliba denied he was contesting the general election. (Times of Malta)
PN unveils first health proposals: The Nationalist Party has unveiled its first health proposals for the election campaign, centred on major investment in hospitals, cancer care and community services. Announced by leader Alex Borg, the plan includes building a new hospital in northern Malta, upgrading the Paola Health Hub into a hospital, modernising Mater Dei Hospital and constructing a new Gozo General Hospital. The PN also pledged to create a National Healthcare Park focused on prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation, aimed at reducing pressure on acute hospitals. It promised to eliminate waiting times for operations, expand rehabilitation and intermediate care, and improve post-discharge follow-up. Other proposals include stronger community mental health services, better pay and career progression for healthcare workers, a unified digital medical record system, and upgraded health centres offering urgent care and diagnostics with longer opening hours. The party also committed to providing all consultant-prescribed cancer medicines free of charge. (The Malta Independent)
BOV reports lower profits in Q1-2026: Bank of Valletta has reported lower profits for the first quarter of 2026 despite continued growth in lending, deposits and overall business activity. The bank registered a pre-tax profit of €54 million during the first three months of the year, down 19.5% on the same period in 2025. BOV said the decline was mainly driven by one-off factors and geopolitical tensions which resulted in a €3.6 million loss on financial trading activity. Chairman Gordon Cordina said the reduced profitability still represented a strong performance and reflected temporary developments that are expected to normalise over the rest of the year. He added that the bank is maintaining its previously announced full-year profit guidance of between €210 million and €250 million. BOV’s balance sheet continued to expand, with total assets reaching a record €17 billion. Deposits rose above €14.1 billion, while the loan book increased to €8.3 billion. (TVM News)
