President-elect Myriam Spiteri Debono Arrives as St. John’s Co-Cathedral

Apr 4 2024

Newly President elect Dr Myriam Spiteri Debono, has entered St John’s Co-Cathedral as her day of ceremonies is set to begin with a traditional mass held by the Archbishop Charles Scicluna at arguably Malta’s most iconic church.

There are all of Malta’s top personnel present to see the ceremony dedicated to the country’s new president, including Prime Minister Robert Abela, Leader of Opposition Bernard Grech and former President George Vella who only finished his official duties yesterday after 5 years.

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It is tradition that every new president starts their inauguration day with a mass officiated by the current Archbishop at St John’s Co-Cathedral.

In Valletta, preparations are underway for the Presidential Oath of Office ceremony, where Myriam Spiteri Debono, a notary and former parliamentary speaker, is set to become the 11th President of Malta.

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Preparations Underway in Valletta for New President’s Oath of Office

Myriam Spiteri Debono Officially Sworn In As Malta's 11th President

Apr 4 2024

This transition sees her taking the reins from George Vella, the outgoing President. The capital buzzes with activity as logistical arrangements are being made to facilitate the event.

Her nomination by both the Prime Minister and the Opposition leader overcame what seemed an insurmountable hurdle due to the requirement of a two-thirds parliamentary majority for appointment.

Spiteri Debono, a figure deeply rooted in Labour’s history, has had a diverse career spanning notarial work, education, and key administrative roles.

As the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives, she managed a challenging period with a focus on unity and respect for investigative journalism, highlighted by her tribute to journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Praised for her dedication to national unity and constitutional knowledge, both Malta’s Prime Minister and Opposition leader welcomed Spiteri Debono’s suitability for the presidency.

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Brillanti Contestants Come Together In Support Of Each Other

Apr 4 2024

In this week’s episode of Brillanti Musicals, the bond between the competing contestants on the programme is highlighted as they come together to help Clara.

In a sneak peek of tonight’s episode, Clara can be seen experiencing a panic attack over her performance.

The others quickly rush to comfort her, sitting through the emotional experience together and make sure Clara is alright.

The bond which forms between the contestants on Brillanti has always been a big part of the TV show’s selling point as competitors still manage to value their friendships and love for one another as much as their motivation to rise to the title of Brillanti.

As the competition gets even harder, judges Charles Brunton, Marina Maniglio and Marco Stabile are joined by Maltese National treasure and queen of musical theatre Mary Rose Mallia.

Who will stay in the competition and who will be going home this week? Tune in at 20:35 on ONE to find out on Brillanti Musicals!

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President Discusses Queen Funeral €60,000 Spend With MaltaDaily

Apr 3 2024

In an exclusive comment to MaltaDaily, President George Vella delved into why the amount of €60,000 was spent for his visit to the UK upon Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.

Asked by MaltaDaily’s Keane Cutajar whether the figures were a bit excessive, the president explained that these figures had been confirmed through a freedom of information request for two years.

The President questions why these figures are being revealed now and said that the figures being so high is not an issue. The circumstances which saw the president and his wife traveling to the UK were extraordinary due to the passing of the queen.

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With all flights being booked, a quote for prices revealed that flying private was cheaper than Air Malta. The hotels were also more expensive than normal, with the president saying that prices tripled due to the influx of visitors.

When asked about Istrina, which sees the public donate large sums of money for charity, the President said the presidency has a budget for travel.

When state visits take place, he said, it does not come cheap but is willing to reveal the figures without holding back. The budget is passed through the budget, with spending being wrong if it goes over said budget and the receipts do not match the spending amount.

Vella concluded that he would only find a problem with these reports if there were things which were not in order and that the visit did not follow the established rules and conventions.

What do you make of this?

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