1745- Latest News update
Times of Malta says Former prime minister Joseph Muscat has been endorsing Labour Party candidates and making appearances at fringe political events.
MaltaToday says Bernard Grech says Gozitans must decide on permanent link between Malta and Gozo
Newsbook says ADPD – The Green Party said that the decision of the Prime Minister and Partit Laburista leader Robert Abela regarding the marina in Marsascala is an exercise in propaganda.
TVM says that the second edition of Mużika Mużika has been brought forward.
Updated 1245
Labour gives details of housing incentives: In the third day of electoral campaigning, PM Robert Abela shared details on the annual cash grant of €1,000 that the Labour Party is proposing for first time home buyers, explaining that this will not be means tested. The measure will apply retroactively to 1 January 2022 and the grant will be paid for the first 10 years to cushion the impact of loan repayments. The measure will complement other housing schemes that already exist, including the cash grant for those who buy a property in urban conservation areas.
PN publishes Gozo electoral proposals: The Nationalist Party has presented its electoral proposls for Gozo. These include a new 400-bed hospital in Gozo, cancer treatment facilities on the island, and a University Campus. The party also promised a widening of the Mgarr Harbour and an investment in two new ferry ships. The PN has also promised a referendum on the proposed tunnel between the two islands. PN leader Bernard Grech said the PN’s vision was based on a vision through which rewards those who join forces to build a better Malta. He described the proposals for Gozo as a “detailed and ambitious programme built through a credible and feasible vision”.
Inflation registers staggering increase: In January 2022, the annual rate of inflation as measured by the HICP was 4.1% up from 2.6% in December 2021, one of the highest increases recorded in recent times, data published by the NSO today shows. The highest rates were recorded in Food and non-alcoholic beverages (6.9% and Recreation and culture (5.5%). On the other hand, the lowest annual inflation rates were registered in Communication (-1.4%) and Alcoholic beverages and tobacco (0.5%). The euro area annual inflation rate was 5.1% in January 2022, up from 5.0% in December.
Covid-19 Update: Malta’s Covid-19 death tally exceeded its 600th fatality with the death of a 90-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man. 79 new cases were recorded on Wednesday, while 96 recoveries pushed active cases further down to 744.
Morning Briefing
PM drops Marsascala marina plans
PM Robert Abela said that the controbersial plans to develop a yacht marina in Marsascala will be shelved. Speaking at an electoral event in the locality, Abela said that he had discussed the matter with his cabinet colleagues, who were also concerned. “We considered all of this. And the best decision is for this project to stop at once,” he said to widespread applause at a Labour event held in the southern town. “We listened and we learned.” The Labour leader also promised that land earmarked for the American University of Malta at Żonqor Point would be returned to the people within the first 100 days of a new Labour government if elected.
Do not be afraid to show your support – Grech
PN leader Bernard Grech called on people to not be afraid in showing their support to the Nationalist Party.
“Yes, people have spoken to me, telling me they are afraid to say who they will be voting for out of fear of repercussions, but I tell them do not be afraid to speak out,” he said. “These people will be alone in the voting booth, and they will make their voice heard.” Speaking at a political event in St Julian’s Grech said that the PN has the credibility to create new sectors in the country, referencing the party’s electoral pledge to invest €1 billion in the creation of new economic sectors.
Covid-19 Update: A 46-year-old woman died while COVID-positive overnight as 90 new cases were reported. There were 91 new recoveries and 50 people are in Mater Dei hospital, 3 of whom are in the ITU.
