Morning Briefing
Owen Bonnici takes on Lands Authority in minor Cabinet Reshuffle
Owen Bonnici has taken on responsibility for the Lands Authority in a minor cabinet reshuffle that also sees Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi appointed Minister for EU Funds and junior minister Andy Ellul handed oversight of the MCCAA. Byron Camilleri will now oversee the National Development and Social Fund, in addition to retaining his Home Affairs and employment portfolio. Although he was initially expected to step away from Home Affairs—having served over five years in the demanding role and previously attempted to resign after a security breach—those plans were shelved following a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday. Camilleri confirmed he would remain in his current post and thanked Prime Minister Robert Abela for his continued trust. (Times of Malta)
Mental Health challenges mount for CEOs as workload and stress Increase
A recent study has revealed that 90% of CEOs face heavy workloads, with 77% reporting high stress levels—highlighting the growing mental health challenges among business leaders across sectors. Experts warn that while leadership often demands ambition and drive, it can come at a personal cost if not balanced with self-care. Without proper support, the same high-performance mindset that fuels success can lead to burnout—impacting not just executives, but entire teams. Psychotherapist Matthew Bartolo noted that when leaders prioritise their mental wellbeing, they become more empathetic and effective, creating healthier work environments. Malta Chamber CEO Dr Marthese Portelli added that strong leadership is rooted in open communication, trust, and striking a balance between strategic goals and employee needs. Business leaders and mental health professionals alike are calling for a cultural shift—one that recognises the human side of leadership and builds resilient organisations from the top down. (The Malta Independent)
Nationalist Party criticises government over rising Cost of Living
The Nationalist Party has criticised the government for what it called a lack of action and empathy amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis. At a press conference the PN pointed to rising inflation as evidence of growing pressure on families. They cited the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices rising from 2.1% in March to 2.6% in April, and the Retail Price Index increasing from 2.1% to 2.4%. The PN argued that inflation is being fuelled not just by global trends, but by poor planning and misplaced priorities on the part of government. (Maltatoday)