Updated 1150am
Food price stability scheme to end – PM
Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that the government’s Stabbiltà scheme, aimed at stabilising basic food prices, will end now that inflation has stabilised. Launched in February, the scheme encouraged food importers and retailers to reduce prices on selected items by at least 15%. It was intended to run until the budget, but with inflation no longer a concern, the scheme will not be extended into next year. In Malta, annual inflation has been falling gradually this year but rose slightly to 2.3% in July. (Times of Malta)
Energy and food subsidies to remain – Finance Minister
Finance Minister Clyde Caruana revealed that food and energy subsidies will continue, with government forecasts showing Malta will meet its deficit and debt targets despite these aid measures. Speaking at the launch of the pre-Budget 2025 consultation, Caruana stressed that Malta can sustain this level of spending. Subsidies will account for 0.7% of GDP in 2025, down from 1.4% in 2023, while the deficit is expected to drop to 3.5% next year, with debt staying below 50% of GDP until 2028. Caruana also revealed that according to AI projections 40-45% of entities are not paying the correct amount of VAT. (Maltatoday)
Agreement on certification of rental contracts reached
Identità, the Notarial Council, the Chamber of Advocate and Legal Procurators have announced a joint agreement on certifying rental contracts, resolving the dispute over new regulations tied to residence permit applications. The deal focuses on the Property Lease Agreement Attestation Form, introduced after a corruption scandal involving Identità. Under the agreement, each new rental contract must be attested by a notary, lawyer, or legal procurator, addressing concerns raised after Identità’s sudden rule changes on 1 September. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
PM says Commissioner allocation better than expected
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that he was “very satisfied” with the portfolio assigned by the President of the European Commission to Malta’s nominee commissioner Glenn Micallef, saying that what Malta got was “better than expected”. The PM argued that Vella’s portfolio was very close to what he wanted, adding that “Glenn has the technical ability for the role, which was recognised” by Commission President Von der Leyen. While some political commentators noted that Micallef’s role will be among the least important, the PM insisted that the youth and culture portfolio is “among the most powerful, has a director general assigned to it, and a strong budget”. (The Malta Independent)
Ian Borg appointed Deputy PM
Ian Borg was appointed Deputy Prime Minister on Tuesday, with PM Robert Abela confirming that Borg would continue in his role as foreign minister. Borg’s new position was announced in the Government Gazette following his election as deputy leader for parliamentary affairs of the Labour Party. In addition to his foreign minister duties, he remains responsible for international trade and will serve as Leader of the House, managing parliament’s agenda. He praised Borg’s performance as foreign minister, saying he had improved Malta’s reputation since taking on the role. (Times of Malta)
Zammit Lewis nominated as Malta’s European judge
Edward Zammit Lewis has been nominated as Malta’s candidate for European judge and will appear before a judicial advisory panel in Luxembourg, according to a senior government source. The Labour MP will be interviewed by Comite 255, a seven-member panel responsible for assessing candidates for judge and advocate-general positions in the EU courts. The closed-door interview is scheduled for 11 October, and if the panel delivers a favourable opinion, Zammit Lewis will be appointed as a judge at the General Court of the EU. He would replace Ramona Frendo, who is moving to the European Court of Justice. (Maltatoday)
