News Updates
Covid-19 Update
Four people died while having Covid-19 in the past 24 hours according to the latest bulletin published by the Health Ministry. The victims were a 38-year-old, an 82-year-old and an 90-year-old men and an 87-year old woman. There were 158 new cases recorded.
Political Activities
The Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader Robert Abela announced his decision to contest the 5th Electoral District, a move which will see the leaders of the country’s biggest parties face-off each other in the upcoming election. The 5th district is made up of Birżebbuġa, Kirkop, Mqabba, Ħal Farruġ, Luqa, Qrendi, Safi, and Żurrieq. Speaking in Mqabba, Abela said that he will not contest the 6th district. Abela, in his speech highlighted the work done in the district and also the number of reforms carried by his administration.
Meanwhile, there was no announcement about the date of the election. Rumours of an election on March 12th, would require the Prime Minister announce it in the coming days. Meanwhile, in his speech, the Prime Minister said that the election has to happen in the next four months. “It is an election that will start nil-nil,” he warned supporters. “We want to continue working towards winning the people’s trust.”
The event was also addressed by the Minister for Gozo.
You can watch the speeches of the event here.
Meanwhile the Nationalist Party held its activity in Sliema. The Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech challenged Prime Minister Robert Abela to publish his law firm’s controversial the €17,000 a month retainer contract with the Planning Authority. Grech also emphasized that Abela has yet to take action to remove the “grey stain” off the reputation of the country, referring to Malta’s current position on the FATF grey list. Grech mentioned that the Labour party need 10 years to remove the “dirt” within their party, questioning their ability to remove the country from the grey list.
Political Surveys
MaltaToday and It-Torċa published two political surveys amidst speculation of an imminent election. MaltaToday‘s survey shows that the Labour Party could win an election with a gap of just under 36,000 votes over the Nationalist Party, MaltaToday’s February survey shows that if an election is held tomorrow, the projected result will see the PL capturing 54.3% of the vote, against the PN’s 42.8%. ADPD would poll 1.9%. It-Torċa survey shows that the Labour Party would get 56% while the Nationalist Party would get 42.4%. It-Torċa survey was carried by Dr Vince Marmara.
Morning Briefing
MFSA cancels investment services firm’s licence after money-laundering links
The MFSA has cancelled the licence of an investment firm which was allegedly used by Venezuelan offocials to launder millions in state funds. In a public notice, the MFSA said that the licence was being withdrawn after a raft of breaches were found at Portmann Capital.
These included failure to act honestly, fairly and professionally in compliance with relevant requirements, inadequate risk management and failure to cooperate with the authority. The cancellation of Portmann Capital’s licence is still subject to appeal and will only become operative once the appeal window expires. Around have a billion euro were reportedly taken out of the country’s oil firm. [Times of Malta]
ADPD says cheque handouts fail to address concerns
Green Party chairperson Carmel Cacopardo has called the government’s €70 million giveaway in cheques and tax refunds a ‘Father Christmas’ policy that does not address real social solidarity concerns. “At these critical times what is needed is focused assistance and not haphazard gift-giving. We do not need a ‘Father Christmas’ policy but real social solidarity aimed at those who need it most,” Cacopardo said during a press conference in Reggie Miller Square in Fgura on Saturday. [Maltatoday]
Covid-19 Update
Covid-19 claimed five more lives in the last 24 hours, with two women aged 84 and 87, and three men aged 80, 83 and 86, passing away while Covid positive. The number of people who died since the beginning of the pandemic in Malta now stands at 565.
In Saturday’s update, the health authorities said that 195 new cases were found. With 310 recoveries, the number of active cases currently stands at 2,555. (Newsbook)
