16-year-olds should be allowed to contest general elections says Prime Minister

Feb 26 2022

Prime Minister Robert Abela expressed his opinion that 16-year-olds should be allowed to contest the general election apart from having the right to vote.

Abela made this idea public twice yesterday, first at a political rally and then later during the Labour Youth’s campaign launch in Isla.

‘It is illogical to have 16-year-olds vote, but not contest. It is the people who should decide, and in the coming legislature we need to discuss the topic’ he said.

He went on to state how the Labour government introduced the legislation which allowed 16-year-olds to vote because it believes in the power of young people. Abela highlighted the topic as being one of the biggest discussions to be had in the coming legislature.

Labour Youths President Georvin Bugeja also went on to call on young people to contribute to the party’s campaign, saying that the party and the group believe in the skills and talents of the youth to make a difference.

Bugeja said that the youth’s wing campaign will be giving young people the space to debate and present their ideas, thanking the prime minister for the opportunity.

Currently, the youngest candidate to ever contest the general election is Eve Borg Bonello, who forms part of the Nationalist Party’s ranks.

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Photo Source: Żgħażagħ Laburisti FB

Stipend: PL propose 15% increase and PN 25% surge to attract the youth

Feb 26 2022

As election campaigns roll towards the second week since the March election was announced, both major political parties have identified the youth as being a key factor in their chances at being elected.

Both parties have emphasised the raising of stipend, with the Labour Party pledging a 15% increase and the Opposition a 25% increase to student stipend.

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the stipend raise yesterday during a political rally when replying to a question by an MCAST student. The Prime Minister called the youth the leaders of today and the future, and pledged to help them continue their education through stipend incentives.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Party also sought to raise the stipend bar, pledging to raise the student’s income scheme by 25%.

The proposal accompanies the €1 billion investment into creating 10 new sectors, with many of these new areas of investment being sectors driven by the youth abroad. These include everything from sports to the metaverse and AI technology.

Malta’s youth occupied an important place in both parties’ electoral campaigns as the contesting leaders continuously emphasise the necessity of investing in their future.

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Man dies after tragic car accident in Birkirkara

Feb 26 2022

This morning, at around 0930hrs, Malta’s police force was informed of a traffic accident which occurred in Triq l-Imdina, Birkirkara.

From preliminary investigations, it was discovered that a 50-year-old man from Ħal Balzan was hit by a Toyota Vitz which was driven by a 34-year-old woman resident of Valletta.

A medical team also convened on the spot to give the required assistance, but, unfortunately, the man was pronounced dead on the spot. An inquiry was opened into the case and more investigations are underway.

Rest in Peace.

Anti-war protest in front of Malta’s Russian Embassy

Feb 26 2022

Last night, the Russian Embassy in San Ġwann, Malta saw a united front formed by Maltese and Ukrainians alike as they protested against the ongoing invasion of the latter’s home country.

The launch of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia saw major cities being targeted along with the eastern and southern borders of the country sustaining heavy bombardment.

In unison with protests occurring all over the world, the Malta protest saw the carrying of placards calling to stop the war and Russian President Putin. As for the Russian leader, he was depicted resembling the former German Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, as protestors compared the two due to the historical resemblance.

Other placards read ‘Stand with Ukraine’, as candles lit up the protest with a sombre atmosphere. Similar protests in Russia led to the arrest of many as even Russians voiced their disagreement with the invasion.

Another protest is set to occur on today before the Triton Fountain in Valletta, seeking to keep the awareness and pressure going towards a peaceful resolution.

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Photo Source: Nataliya Hirska