Morning Briefing
Government mulling financial offer to get drivers off the road
The government plans to offer drivers €25,000 to give up their licence for five years, reports suggest. Aimed at reducing traffic, the scheme will provide €5,000 annually to car-owning drivers with at least seven years of experience. It applies only to passenger cars, excluding motorbikes and commercial vehicles. Drivers who reclaim their licence during the five years will face an undisclosed penalty. While policymakers prefer Maltese citizens to benefit, the scheme is open to anyone meeting the criteria. (Times of Malta)
PM says neutrality is key to economic success
Prime Minister Robert Abela credited Malta’s commitment to neutrality as a key factor in the country’s economic success. “From relying on one sector—defence—we have transformed into one of the most diversified economies in the world,” Abela said during a political event on Sunday, ahead of Malta’s 46th Freedom Day anniversary on 31 March. He highlighted the role of “visionary leadership” in shaping the economy, acknowledging former prime ministers Dom Mintoff, who introduced foreign investment and manufacturing, and Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, who spearheaded major infrastructure projects. Abela also noted that during a recent meeting with EU leaders in Brussels, he secured guarantees allowing the Maltese government to decide how to allocate public funds. (Maltatoday)
PN wants to evaluate development needs in every locality
PN Leader Bernard Grech pledged that a new Nationalist Government would conduct studies in every locality to assess development limits, criticising the current administration for allowing unchecked development and now imposing burdensome controls. Addressing Gozo’s infrastructure, Dr Grech described the island’s roads as being in a dire state and promised a full reconstruction where needed. He called for the immediate cessation of the Nikolaus ferry service, arguing that taxpayers should not be burdened with its €13,000 daily cost. He proposed a new fleet of four passenger vessels and one dedicated to merchandise, aligning with the PN’s vision to boost tourism in Gozo beyond short visits. (TVM)