The European credit rating agency, Scope Ratings, has once again confirmed Malta’s rating at A+ with a stable outlook, the government said Saturday. This positive assessment comes at a time when the agency has downgraded or issued negative outlooks for several Eurozone countries, including Austria, France, and Finland, while also shifting Poland’s outlook to negative on the very same day. Independent experts from the agency attributed Malta’s strong rating to its robust economic performance, predicting that the island’s economic growth will continue to significantly outperform other European nations. The report highlights that Malta maintains a low national debt and a steadily declining fiscal deficit. Describing the Maltese economy as “a dynamic, services-based economy,” the German-based analysts forecast that growth will remain resilient despite global geopolitical challenges, driven by strong domestic demand and robust public investment. Tourism is also expected to accelerate further as Malta benefits from attracting...

The island of Gozo needs an “all-encompassing” overhaul that the Labour government has failed to deliver in spite of its promises, Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg said Saturday. Giving a list of projects that the Labour government did not deliver and was again “copying and pasting” in its 2026 election manifesto, Borg said that a PN government would not leave its pledges on paper. Labour had failed to deliver a new law courts building, the Marsalforn breakwater, investment in the ports of Mgarr and Cirkewwa, a new hospital and parking spaces in Xlendi, Marsalforn and Victoria, Borg said. It left its road projects for the “last four weeks” before the election and had the audacity to hold a press conference saying that 60 per cent of the road to Marsalforn had been completed, Borg said. Gozo needs heavy investment in its infrastructure, and a Nationalist government pledges...

The Labour Party has pledged to hold a referendum on voluntary assisted euthanasia if re-elected to government, placing one of Malta’s most sensitive ethical debates at the centre of its 2026 electoral manifesto. In its 263-page programme, unveiled on Friday evening during a general conference led by Prime Minister Robert Abela, Labour said discussions on the “delicate issue” should continue and that the public deserves to have its voice heard directly through a national vote. The proposal follows the public consultation on euthanasia launched during the last legislature, as well as the introduction of a living will framework by the current administration. Labour stopped short of committing itself to immediate legislation, instead promising a referendum should it retain power after the May 30 election. The euthanasia pledge formed part of a manifesto titled Int Malta, which includes more than 1,000 proposals spread across 24 chapters dealing with...

The 18th day of Malta’s electoral campaign was dominated by the Labour Party’s manifesto launch, an event that not only showcased Prime Minister Robert Abela’s political vision, but also symbolically overshadowed the Opposition after the Nationalist Party was forced to cancel its Swieqi event because of heavy rain. Labour used the day to present itself as a government planning decades ahead, armed with a detailed and expansive programme touching nearly every sector of national life. Meanwhile, the PN focused heavily on cost-of-living relief, youth measures and criticism of Labour’s unfulfilled promises until the evening’s unfortunate cancellation. At the centre of Labour’s manifesto launch was the narrative about “quality of life.” Every major proposal announced by Abela, from transport and planning reform to pensions, environment and healthcare, was listed. The most politically sensitive proposal – a referendum on voluntary assisted euthanasia – was presented within this wider argument...

The Nationalist Party had to cut short its Friday evening activity as part of the election campaign due to rainfall. The PN had just begun its activity in Swieqi – advertised as a political discussion on security – when it had to call it off following a downpour. Leader Alex Borg had answered just the first question put to him at the start of the event. The live feed went black just after a short video feature was played introducing the subject. Before the discussion ended prematurely, Borg said that a PN government would give local councils their powers back so that residents could better manage their own localities. He noted that through this change, Swieqi will be treated as a priority as its hard-working councillors will be able to arrange their own pavements and bolster security themselves, among other initiatives. Borg said that the realities being...

All families except for one who were evacuated from their Naxxar residence on Thursday have been allowed to return home, the Building and Construction Authority said Friday evening. Earlier today, a detailed inspection was carried out on the site in question, the BCA said. Officials from the BCA, together with representatives of the OHSA, periti from the concerned authorities, an independent perit, as well as the developer’s periti, accessed the site where various technical investigations on the building were conducted. Following the findings provided by Dr Adrian Mifsud, Geotechnical Engineer engaged as an independent expert by the Authority, the BCA confirmed that the buildings situated outside the construction site are safe. An inspection was also carried out on the site where construction work is taking place, together with Professor Alex Torpiano, an expert engaged by the developer. Consequently, the families who had been evacuated as a precautionary...

A new sectoral agreement covering more than 1,500 Allied Health professionals across 16 professions was signed between the government and the UHM Voice of the Workers, introducing improved working conditions, career progression opportunities and enhanced training programmes, a government statement said. The Ministry for Health and Active Ageing and UHM Voice of the Workers signed a new sectoral agreement for Allied Health professionals, with Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela, Principal Permanent Secretary Joyce Cassar and Permanent Secretary for Health and Active Ageing Renzo De Gabriele present for the signing. The government reached the agreement with UHM following several months of constructive and cordial negotiations. The statement said that the agreement provides improved working conditions for professionals, including a package of enhanced allowances, opportunities for career advancement, an expanded training programme and new opportunities for progression within the professional structure, while continuing to ensure a continuous and high-quality...

A restoration project on the Santa Marija Parish Church in Qrendi was officially launched following the signing of an agreement between the church and the Restoration and Preservation Department, a statement said. Culture Minister Owen Bonnici presided over the agreement, which will see restoration works carried out on the church in an effort to restore its deserved glory. Bonnici said the restoration project represents an important investment in Malta’s cultural and religious heritage, strengthening the identity of the Qrendi community while safeguarding the church’s historical beauty for future generations. He praised the preparation and dedication of all those involved and said initiatives of this kind would help breathe new life into the heart of Maltese villages. Bonnici added that the project joins other restoration works carried out on religious heritage sites, including the Jesuits’ Church in Valletta and the Trinity Church in Marsa. The works will include...

The agreement returning Manoel Island to public ownership is undoubtedly welcome news. In a country increasingly suffocated by overdevelopment and shrinking open spaces, the prospect of the island becoming national park open to the public rather than dominated by large-scale development is a positive and important step. Yet as political parties rush to celebrate the agreement, there is also a need for honesty and perspective. As ADPD – The Green Party rightly pointed out this week, the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party cannot simply rewrite history on Manoel Island. The original concession handing the island over to private developers in 2000 was approved unanimously in Parliament by both major parties. Today, both parties are almost taking credit for the island’s return to the public, as though it emerged from long-standing political conviction, when in reality, it came after years of public pressure, activism and changing attitudes...

The Labour Party has presented its 72 candidates for the upcoming general election on Friday, with Prime Minister Robert Abela describing the lineup as its “largest team of candidates,” and a strong, representative group that would continue working towards a better Malta. In a brief address on Friday morning, Abela said that the 72 candidates contesting on the Labour ticket come from different sectors of society and bring with them varied experiences and expertise across a wide range of fields. He also said that almost 40% of its candidates are women, while the lineup includes a strong presence of both young candidates and experienced figures. Abela described the team as a mixture of energy, fresh ideas and experience aimed at continuing to work towards “a better Malta.” He said that the PL candidates are people coming from social sectors and different professional backgrounds, calling them competent, dynamic...