Morning Briefing
Government, Opposition clash on redrawing of electoral districts
During a parliamentary debate on proposed changes to Malta’s electoral district boundaries, government and opposition MPs took sharply different positions. Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon backed the majority report by the Electoral Commission, which proposes minimal changes affecting 21,000 voters. He warned against radical shifts that would split communities and risk constitutional imbalance. Falzon defended the current system’s proportionality and arguing that drastic changes are unnecessary and potentially damaging. PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami, however, supported the minority report, insisting that redrawing district lines must respect geographic continuity. He warned against gerrymandering, recalling how past abuses in the 1980s distorted results. (The Malta Independent)
Majaor Esports firm to establish operations in Malta
Esports giant BLAST is establishing a permanent studio and operations centre in Malta, marking a major step for the country’s growing role in the global esports and digital innovation scene. Under a three-year agreement, Malta will host nine international events, including the a high-profile tournament this August. The new investment includes a dedicated 1,000-square-metre facility equipped with cutting-edge technology for esports broadcasts, live events, and content creation. The centre will serve as a hub for continuous engagement with the global esports community and aims to attract further growth and collaboration within the sector. This development strengthens Malta’s position as a competitive location for international esports production and operations. (TVM)
Alex Borg emerges as frontrunner in PN survey
Alex Borg has emerged as the clear frontrunner to lead the PN, according to a leaked internal survey seen by Times of Malta. The poll places Adrian Delia in second place and Franco Debono a distant third. Support for Bernard Grech remaining leader also appears weak. Still, the race remains open, with 43% of respondents either undecided or unwilling to name a preferred candidate. The survey was conducted between June 14 and 16, shortly after Roberta Metsola announced she would not be contesting the leadership. It polled 500 PN members, with a margin of error of 4.3%. (Times of Malta)