Updated 1220
Labour Sets Casual Election Line-Up as Eight MPs Vacate Seats Across Seven Districts: Following the formation of a new cabinet, the Labour Party (PL) has determined the allocation of casual elections after eight MPs relinquished their parliamentary seats, triggering contests across seven electoral districts. Unlike the Nationalist Party’s fixed rules for seat resignation, Labour’s statute allows the party executive to decide which seats are vacated, a process concluded by secret ballot. Prime Minister Robert Abela will vacate his second-district seat, while other resignations affect districts 3, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12, with multiple high-profile contests emerging. Key figures in contention include James Grech and Rodrick Zerafa in District 2, Alex Muscat and Ramona Attard in District 8, and Andy Ellul in District 3. District 11, vacated by Miriam Dalli, and District 12, vacated by Jonathan Attard, also feature crowded fields of former MPs and new contenders. Several elections may also intersect with Malta’s gender-corrective mechanism, adding further uncertainty to the outcomes. (The Times of Malta)
PA Refusal Rate Drops Sharply During Election Campaign, Analysis Finds: The Planning Authority approved almost all applications during the final two weeks of Malta’s 2026 general election campaign, refusing just four out of 252 cases for a refusal rate of 1.6%, according to a Times of Malta analysis. This compares with a 7% average refusal rate recorded both earlier this year and over the past five years. Sources said refusals often decline before elections to avoid upsetting applicants and property owners. Similar trends were observed before the 2022 general election, although no such pattern emerged ahead of the 2024 MEP and local council elections. (The Times of Malta)
Morning Briefing
PM unveils new Cabinet
Prime Minister Robert Abela has unveiled a new Cabinet combining continuity with several significant reshuffles and promotions. One of the most notable changes sees Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg taking over the health portfolio, replacing Jo Etienne Abela, who is shifted to tourism. Former deputy prime minister Chris Fearne returns to Cabinet as foreign affairs minister. Another major change sees Byron Camilleri moving from home affairs to education and sports, while Glenn Bedingfield has been promoted to oversee home affairs and national security. Clifton Grima now leads the justice ministry, while Jonathan Attard takes on planning, infrastructure and employment. Meanwhile, Rosianne Cutajar returns to Cabinet with responsibility for equality, while younger MPs including Omar Farrugia and Keith Azzopardi Tanti also received ministerial promotions. Clyde Caruana, Silvio Schembri and Miriam Dalli retained the finance, economy and energy portfolios respectively. The swearing-in ceremonies are taking place today in Valletta. (Maltatoday)
EC to close Excessive Deficit Procedure against Malta
Malta is set to become the first EU country to exit the excessive deficit procedure after the European Commission recommended closing proceedings against the country on Wednesday. Malta had been placed under the procedure in 2024 after its deficit reached 4.9% of GDP, above the EU’s 3% limit. The Commission said Malta had successfully corrected its excessive deficit, with figures dropping sharply to 2.2% in 2025, well below the EU threshold for the first time since before the pandemic. The improvement follows years of high public spending linked to COVID-19 support measures, energy subsidies and inflation-mitigation schemes. While recommending Malta’s removal from the procedure, the Commission urged continued caution on public expenditure. The decision is expected to be formally approved by EU finance ministers at the ECOFIN meeting in July. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has said Malta’s finances are projected to continue improving, with the country expected to achieve a balanced budget by 2029 or 2030. (Times of Malta)
ADPD approves vote of confidence in Chairperson Gauci
ADPD chairperson Sandra Gauci has indicated that she will remain active in politics after initially suggesting she could step away following last weekend’s general election. In a social media post on Sunday, Gauci said she was satisfied with her electoral result but criticised the gender quota mechanism, which will prevent her from entering Parliament despite securing 594 votes on the sixth district and 950 votes on the 12th district. At the time, Gauci hinted that she was likely to leave politics and take a break from public life. However, she appeared to reverse course, saying the support she received after her comments had left her “speechless”. In a Facebook post, she insisted she would not stay silent and pledged to continue serving as a St Paul’s Bay councillor while remaining chairperson of ADPD. ADPD later confirmed that its executive committee unanimously approved a vote of confidence in Gauci during its first meeting following the election. (The Malta Independent)
