WATCH: Bernard Grech states that the Nationalist Party “has already started renewal”

Apr 8 2022

Following a significant disappointment at the 2022 general election, with Labour winning the polls with yet another historic amount, current Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech stated that the PN has already started its renewal process.

During an interview on Net Live, Grech stated that despite election results, the party must continue to function and a number of ‘positive meetings’ have been held in the past days. The PN leader highlighted how important it is for the PN to continue functioning, strengthening itself and renewing and he will make sure that this happens.

In the coming days, an Executive Committee meeting and General Council meeting are expected to take place to hold the necessary renewal process. Beyond Grech himself, it does not seem that there will be any other challengers for PN leadership, with Adrian Delia, Joe Giglio and even Mark Anthony Sammut shutting down rumours of contesting.

Meanwhile, Bernard Grech has called for an urgent meeting with Prime Minister regarding Malta’s citizenship scheme, saying that while the scheme should not be scrapped but they should also not damage Malta’s reputation. He argued that authorities must recognise that Malta’s citizenship scheme is not a ‘gateway’ into the EU and that a way forward which is agreed on by both parties should be discussed.

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“We need you”; Politicians unite in Scicluna praise after he announces retirement from politics

"We need you"; Politicians unite in Oliver Scicluna praise after he announces retirement from politics

Apr 8 2022

Prominent voices from all across the political spectrum have joined forces to call for Oliver Scicluna to stay in politics after the young MP announced his retirement from politics on Thursday.

In a recently-published Facebook post, Scicluna stated that he looks forward to the future before going on to congratulate the newly-elected MPs. Scicluna was co-opted to Robert Abela’s Parliament back in January 2021 and was not elected on either district in the 2022 election, missing out on casual elections to Glenn Bedingfield on the second district and Katya De Giovanni on the fourth district.

The highly-respected former MP’s posted was flooded with hundreds of comments calling for Scicluna to stay in politics. Amongst them, Ministers Byron Camilleri & Miriam Dalli, Labour MEP Agius Saliba, Labour Deputy Leader Daniel Micallef and the PN’s Kristy Debono, Alan Abela-Wadge and many others. Micallef said that he will do everything in his power to convince him to remain in politics as he believes in his qualities and values – a role at the Labour Party may also be up for grabs.

Local media personality Peppi Azzopardi also suggested that Scicluna becomes the Speaker of the Parliament, with others disagreeing because the young politician has so much more to offer.

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Malta reimbursed €14 million for COVID-19 vaccines by European Union

Apr 8 2022

Malta has been reimbursed with nearly €14 million in funds for a portion of the COVID-19 vaccines procured by the country up until mid-November 2021.

An official statement by a commission representative revealed that the grant was worth €13,810,622. Until May 2021, the Maltese government had spent close to €100 million on vaccine procurement, with Malta being one of the countries pushing for European Commission joint procurement, which also considered funding for vaccine development.

The report unveiled that Malta administered at least 1,233,948 doses, due to little vaccine scepticism and high vaccine availability.

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5-month-old baby Chayan dies only days after being blessed by Pope Francis

Apr 8 2022

Five-month-old baby Chayan has sadly passed away, only days after being blessed by Pope Francis on his meeting with vulnerable individuals in Rabat’s St. Paul’s Basilica on Sunday.

His mother, Valerie Ciantar, told tvmnews.mt that their angel Chayan had a heart condition. “Our baby has finally found peace. We’d like to thank everyone who was supportive during the past weeks and we ask for your prayers”, she said.

Despite medical professionals advising the Ciantar family that Chayan only had a few days, the baby lived for more than five months, long enough to meet Pope Francis and get his blessing.

The baby’s mother went on to say that “it’s a miracle and the Lord really exists”, stating that it is with God’s strength that Chayan could meet the Pope. His funeral will be held on Saturday at the Isla Basilica and those attending have been requested to wear coloured clothes.

#MaltaDaily