Malta registered a 0.8% long-term unemployment rate, which is the second lowest and tied with Czechia and Poland.
This follows the lowest rate in Denmark and the Netherlands (at 0.5%). Meanwhile, the highest long-term unemployment rate was registered in Greece at 6.2%, followed by Spain (4.3%).
The long term unemployment rates, as a percentage of the labour force, was 2.1% in 2023.
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Source: Eurostat
On the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, European Parliament President commemorated the significant event in European history in a speech urging for more unity.
‘The fall of the Berlin Wall was the culmination of years of determination and sacrifice’, Metsola said. ‘It marked a new page in Europe’s story, with millions of people finally free to choose their destiny.’
‘I was a child when the Berlin Wall came down. But I remember clearly the sense of unbridled joy of millions of Europeans finally free to choose their destiny.’
‘We must never go back to a divided continent. Our Europe is one where we live together united.’
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From November 6 to 8, a parliamentary delegation from Malta attended the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, themed “Engage, Empower, Sustain: Charting the Course for Resilient Democracy.” The delegation was led by Deputy Speaker David Agius and included Government Deputy Whip Davina Sammut Hili and Opposition Whip Robert Cutajar.
The conference agenda featured the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), a debate titled “Votes vs Likes – The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Democratic Resilience in an Age of Fake News and Synthetic Media,” and the election of a new CPA Chairperson. The Maltese delegation cast their votes in the election, resulting in Dr. Christopher Kalila from Zambia being chosen as the new CPA Executive Committee Chairperson.
CPA President Ben Franklin and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered keynote addresses at the conference.
During their visit, the delegation participated in an interview with Victor Vella from SBS radio, which will be broadcast to the approximately 230,000 Maltese citizens living in Australia. Discussion topics included the promotion of the Maltese language, Maltese cultural values, and other areas of shared interest.
The delegation also attended a ceremony at Australia’s National Monument to Migration, where 446 inscriptions from 62 countries were added to the “Welcome Wall” honoring migrants. Families Cauchi from Mellieħa and Fenech from Sliema, who migrated to Australia nearly 60 years ago, were recognized at the event. The ceremony was also attended by Malta’s Consul General to Sydney, Lawrence Buhagiar.
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The Partit Nazzjonalista (PN) recently held its General Council, titled Malta Zaghzugha, where party members, experts, and stakeholders discussed the vision of a “young Malta” focused on sustainable development, transparency, and fair governance. PN leader Bernard Grech emphasised that the party’s political approach involves collaborative policy-making directly with the public rather than a “closed-door” process. Grech highlighted a commitment to achieving a better quality of life for all, ensuring that policy efforts address not only current issues but also lay the groundwork for future generations.
Grech outlined the PN’s vision for a new Nationalist government to implement policies aimed at long-term growth and sustainable progress. He criticised what he described as favouritism in current policies and stressed that the PN’s approach would emphasise transparency and merit-based opportunities. Key areas of focus included renewable energy investments, high-value job sectors like technology and science, accessible healthcare through public-private partnerships, and an education system geared toward future workforce needs in science and technology. The PN’s tourism vision was also discussed, emphasising a sustainable model that respects and promotes Malta’s cultural and environmental heritage.
At the event, various experts also shared perspectives on Malta’s current political and social landscape. Professor Alexei Dingli highlighted the need for educational reform to prepare Malta for advancements in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Andrew Azzopardi addressed the issue of economic inequality, pointing out that over 100,000 people in Malta face poverty risks. He emphasized the importance of challenging societal norms and standing up to wrongdoing. Political commentator Paul Bonello voiced concerns over normalised corruption, suggesting that the erosion of democratic principles undermines public trust.
Dylan Seychell, an artificial intelligence lecturer, underscored the importance of investing in youth and providing young Maltese with reasons to stay in the country. Marisa Xuereb, former President of the Chamber of Commerce, pointed to the growing frustration among capable citizens with the country’s political direction, advocating for greater transparency and integrity in governance.
George Vital Zammit, academic and author of the PN’s electoral program, expressed optimism about public engagement in shaping Malta’s future. He described Malta Zaghzugha as a vision for a future-oriented society driven by transparency and accountability.
PN General Secretary Michael Piccinino concluded by emphasising that the PN is ready to address challenges collaboratively, focusing on issues such as population growth and governance reform. He stated that many Maltese citizens seek change, and the PN aims to lead this transition by engaging the public in the political process.
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