Bernard Grech Shuts Down Resignation Rumours

May 30 2025

Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech has dismissed rumours suggesting he plans to resign amid reported internal tensions within the party.

Speaking to MaltaDaily, Nathaniel Attard, official spokesperson for the Leader of the Opposition, firmly denied the claims, stating there is no truth to the speculation.

He emphasised that Grech remains fully committed to his role and is currently focused on the party’s upcoming fundraising marathon.

Attard also pointed fingers at the Labour Party, accusing it of spreading the false rumours.

“It is disgraceful that the Labour Party is fabricating and circulating these claims to hide the internal divisions it is currently experiencing,” he said.

#MaltaDaily

Over 13,000 Farmers Registered in Malta, But Challenges Loom

May 30 2025

A parliamentary question by Graziella Galea, Opposition MP and shadow minister for agriculture, has revealed that 13,282 farmers are currently registered in Malta.

The question was directed to Anton Refalo, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, who provided the data, but noted that the government does not keep records distinguishing between full-time and part-time farmers.

The locality with the highest number of registered farmers is Rabat (Malta), with 918, followed by Mosta (767), Siggiewi (798), and Zurrieq (580). At the other end of the scale, Isla has just 5 farmers, while Birgu has 7 and Floriana 8.

While these numbers paint a picture of a still-active farming sector, the reality for many farmers is far from simple. In recent years, Malta’s agricultural community has faced growing pressure from EU competition, with cheap imports often undercutting local produce.

Adding to that, farmers have reported the loss of agricultural land due to development, roadworks, and bureaucracy, leaving many struggling to maintain their livelihood.

Farmer protests, public outcry over ODZ (Outside Development Zone) encroachment, and debates on food sustainability have frequently made headlines in Malta over the past few years.

Yet, many in the sector feel more must be done to protect one of the island’s oldest tradition

#MaltaDaily

93% Decrease In Irregular Migrant Arrivals Over the Last 5 Years

May 30 2025

In a parliamentary question, Opposition MP Davina Sammut Hili asked the Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Byron Camilleri, to provide data on how many irregular migrants arrived by sea, and how many individuals were returned after being found not to qualify for refugee protection, covering the period between 2013 and 2025, up to the date of the response.

According to Minister Camilleri, in 2024, 238 irregular sea arrivals were recorded, with 162 individuals returned after being found not to qualify for refugee protection.

So far in 2025, there have been 28 irregular arrivals, with 45 individuals returned for the same reason.

The Minister highlighted a remarkable 93% decrease in irregular sea arrivals over the five-year period from 2019 to 2024.

#MaltaDaily

Baby Boom! 4,321 Newborns Welcomed in Malta & Gozo in 2024

May 30 2025

During a recent Parliamentary Questions session, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana revealed that 4,321 babies were born in Malta and Gozo in 2024, a 2.8% increase compared to 4,204 births in 2023.

The figures were disclosed in response to a question by Nationalist MP Jerome Caruana Cilia.

While the number of newborns saw a modest rise, Caruana also noted that 4,181 people passed away in Malta during the same year.

The statistics offer a glimpse into Malta’s demographic trends, highlighting a slight natural population growth despite the close margin between births and deaths in 2024.

#MaltaDaily