Morning Briefing
Malta’s poor corruption ranking is government responsibility – Transparency International
Transparency International has criticised MP Michael Farrugia for suggesting that the Daphne Foundation is responsible for Malta’s lowest-ever corruption ranking. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday during a debate on magisterial inquiries, the former Labour minister urged listeners to look up Transparency International’s national contact for Malta, implying a connection to the country’s ranking. The listed contact is The Daphne Foundation, set up by the journalist’s family after her 2017 assassination. In response, Transparency International dismissed Farrugia’s claim as “totally false,” stating that its Corruption Perceptions Index is based on 13 independent sources, including the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, with no input from the foundation. The organisation emphasised that Malta’s poor ranking is solely the government’s responsibility. (Times of Malta)
EP President denies plagiarism allegations
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has denied plagiarism allegations made by German tabloid Bild. A spokesperson said that the claims were “totally unfounded.” Bild cited Austrian media researcher Stefan Weber, who alleged Metsola’s dissertation contained plagiarism on “nearly every page,” with 188 instances of copied or misquoted material. Weber, who reviewed Metsola’s work in 2024 “out of curiosity,” claimed the issue undermines trust in EU governance. The newspaper also questioned her use of the title ‘Doctor,’ which is standard for Maltese law graduates but not in Germany. (Maltatoday)
Sharp Rise in Approved New Dwellings in Late 2024
Building permits for 2,259 new dwellings were approved in the last quarter of 2024, marking a 74.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The rise was more pronounced in Malta, where approvals surged by 78.5%, while Gozo and Comino saw a 54.8% increase. Apartments accounted for the majority of new dwellings, making up 71.5% of the total approvals. San Pawl il-Baħar recorded the highest number of approved units, with 156 permits granted. The sharp increase highlights ongoing development activity, particularly in high-density housing. The figures reflect a significant expansion in the construction sector, driven by demand for residential properties. (NSO)