Updated 1300
Voluntary euthanasia proposals unveiled for terminally ill with 6 months to live: The Maltese government has
launched a two-month public consultation on assisted voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill patients expected to
live less than six months. Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg stressed that no law is being proposed yet, but
the discussion aims to gauge public opinion. Any future law would require strict safeguards: only mentally capable
patients could request euthanasia, and only if suffering from a terminal, untreatable illness. Coercion,
encouragement, or suggesting euthanasia would be criminal offences. Requests would undergo rigorous medical and
legal review, and patients could withdraw at any time. Procedures would be limited to state hospitals or homes.
Living wills may guide future care, but won’t bypass eligibility rules. (Times of Malta)
Malta has lowest electricity cost burden in EU, Eurostat: Malta has the lowest electricity cost burden for households in the EU when adjusted for purchasing power standards (PPS), according to Eurostat data from late 2024. While nominal prices in Malta are the third-lowest at €0.131 per unit, PPS adjustment shows Maltese households face the least financial strain, at 14.33 PPS per 100kWh, well below countries like the Czech Republic and Germany. Despite this, electricity prices rose in 10 EU states, including Malta, due to higher network costs and reduced subsidies. The sharpest increases were seen in Portugal, Finland, and France. Energy Minister Miriam Dalli noted Malta’s prices have stayed stable compared to 2020. Meanwhile, EU non-household electricity prices dropped 5.4% year-on-year.
Fake investment schemes on the rise – €240,000 defrauded in 3 months: Fraudulent investment schemes have surged in 2025, with Bank of Valletta reporting that losses in the first three months already exceed last year’s total by €40,000. Over €1 million was lost to fraud in 2024, with 1,700 customers losing €300,000 due to scams, including fake investments and phishing. Young people are especially vulnerable, while businesses were defrauded of €1.5 million last year, often through email scams. Romance fraud also rose, with men being the main victims. Bank of Valletta CEO Kenneth Farrugia said the bank is increasing resources and public education to combat increasingly sophisticated scams. A free webinar in Maltese will be held on May 7 to raise awareness.
Morning Briefing
Man arrested after climbing Palace roof
A 21-year-old Irish man was arrested after climbing onto the roof of the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta via nearby scaffolding while drunk. The incident occurred in the early hours of April 24. Palace security spotted the intruder and immediately alerted police, who arrested him on site. He was arraigned the next day, pleaded guilty to entering a restricted area and public intoxication, and was conditionally discharged for one year. A court order prohibits publication of his name. (Times of Malta)
Six scholarships launched
The Education Ministry has launched six scholarship schemes worth €8 million to support students in continuing their studies. Funded through €5 million in EU funds and €3 million in national funds, the schemes cover various sectors, including the Malta Arts and Sports Scholarship schemes. The Arts Scholarship supports training and academic courses in expressive arts, from age 11 up to doctorate level. The Sports Scholarship targets both athletes seeking to enhance their performance and students pursuing academic qualifications in sports. (TVM)
PM allowing illegal development to flourish – PN
The Nationalist Party accused the government of prioritising the legalisation of illegal developments over environmental protection and proper planning. Following a Parliamentary Committee meeting on Environment and Planning, the PN said it was clear the government is manipulating Local Plans to justify overdevelopment. It condemned what it described as the Planning Authority’s reduction to a mere “Permits Authority,” claiming enforcement has been weakened and new policies are encouraging illegality—even in previously protected areas. The PN urged the government to find fair and practical solutions, citing the Gorgun Tower case in Gozo, without selectively legitimising abuse. (The Malta Independent)