Updated 1200
Bernie Sanders Targets Malta in Tax Haven Criticism: US Senator Bernie Sanders has criticised Malta as part of a “rigged system” that allows multinational companies to shift profits offshore and reduce their tax bills. Attacking former US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from global minimum tax agreements, Sanders highlighted tax havens including Malta, Singapore and Switzerland. A recent New York Times investigation found several major US firms, including Abbott Laboratories and Thermo Fisher Scientific, used Maltese structures to secure significant tax savings. Malta’s effective corporate tax rate for many foreign-owned companies can fall to 5% through its tax refund system, a policy that has long drawn criticism from other EU member states. (The Times of Malta)
Malta Loses €1.13 Billion a Year to Traffic, Study Finds: Traffic congestion costs Malta an estimated €1.13 billion annually, according to calculations by engineer Ing. Marco Cremona. Presenting proposals adopted by Momentum, Cremona estimated that 400,000 commuters lose 60.8 million hours a year sitting in traffic, equivalent to more than six days per driver. Valuing lost time at €10 per hour and combining it with an annual fuel bill of €518 million, he calculated that every minute of congestion costs the country around €67,000. The estimate excludes parking delays, environmental and health impacts, infrastructure costs and vehicle imports, meaning the true economic burden could be significantly higher. (Maltatoday)
MDA Calls for Post-Election Focus on Long-Term National Priorities: The Malta Development Association (MDA) has urged a shift in focus to key national challenges following the election, including housing affordability, infrastructure, planning reform, environmental sustainability, workforce development, economic competitiveness, energy security, and quality of life. In a statement, it congratulated the Labour Party on its victory and the Nationalist Party on its campaign, while stressing the importance of continued dialogue with government, opposition, and stakeholders. The MDA reaffirmed its commitment to policies supporting sustainable growth, investment, social mobility, and stability, saying Malta’s long-term success depends on shared vision and cooperation across all sectors. (The Times of Malta)
Morning Briefing
𝗔𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿
Robert Abela was officially sworn in as Malta’s Prime Minister during a ceremony held at the Palace in Valletta on Monday morning, formally beginning another term in office following Labour’s election victory. The ceremony was presided over by President Myriam Spiteri Debono and attended by Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti, alongside senior officials, family members and invited guests. Large crowds of Labour supporters gathered in Valletta from the early hours of the morning, eager to witness the occasion and secure vantage points close to the Palace. Many supporters dressed in red and white, waving Labour and Maltese flags as elected candidates and party officials arrived. (Times of Malta)
𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗴ħ𝘁𝗮𝗯 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
Several animals died and farms sustained structural damage following the explosion that ripped through the Ta’ Lourdes fireworks factory in Magħtab on Monday morning, according to farmers and animal welfare representatives in the area. Jeanette Borg, spokesperson for the MaYA Foundation, said a number of breeders reported significant damage to their properties, while animals including birds, rabbits, and dairy cows perished as a result of the blast. She explained that explosions can have devastating effects on livestock, not only through direct impact but also due to shockwaves, extreme noise, panic, and injuries caused by collapsing structures. Long-term consequences may al so include trauma, stress-related health conditions, and reduced production. Borg noted that Magħtab is designated as an agricultural area, increasing the risks associated with fireworks factories operating near farms. She added that many insurance policies do not cover livestock losses, leaving affected farmers facing financial and emotional hardship after the incident. (The Malta Independent)
Malta unemployment rate rises to 3.6% in April
Malta’s unemployment rate climbed to 3.6% in April, with the number of unemployed people increasing by more than 3,000 since August last year, according to figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The data, published two days after the general election, showed unemployment rising steadily over the past eight months, with the rate increasing from 2.69% in August 2025 to 3.6% in April 2026. A total of 12,400 people were registered as unemployed in April, compared to 9,123 in August, marking an increase of 3,277 individuals, or 36%. Youth unemployment also continued to rise, reaching 9.1%, more than three times higher than the rate recorded among people aged between 25 and 74. The figure was also above the 8.2% recorded a year earlier. (Newsbook)
