Malta welcomed a record 1.2 million tourists during the first four months of 2026, yet new figures show that each visitor spent less than they did a year earlier, raising fresh questions about whether the country’s tourism strategy is delivering the results it promised. According to the latest data from the National Statistics Office, tourist … Continued

UNESCO has asked Malta to submit an updated report on the state of conservation of Valletta’s World Heritage Site by 1 December, as fresh concerns mount over a contentious application to reclaim land along Sliema’s seafront for a private lido. The report, requested by the World Heritage Committee for examination at its 49th session, will … Continued

Boat owners affected by the reorganisation of Buġibba harbour are demanding answers from Transport Malta over weeks of delays that prevented permit holders from returning to their berths long after works linked to the new fast ferry service were finished. The controversy centres on the harbour area near Gillieru, where permit holders were instructed earlier … Continued

Robert Abela has delivered one of his finest performances. His backdrop was not White Rocks and nor was it Manoel Island. No sooner had the ink dried on the Electoral Commission’s Writ confirming four more years, that a farmhouse beside the Ġgantija Temples has been demolished to make way for 22 apartments and 20 garages. … Continued

Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to cap their country’s population at 10 million, with most of the arguments made during the campaign being identical to those increasingly being made in Malta. In Sunday’s referendum, 54.8% of Swiss voters rejected the ‘Sustainability Initiative’, which proposed measures aimed at preventing Switzerland’s population from exceeding 10 million … Continued

Ray Pellicano, the government-appointed chief operations officer of the newly established Malta Investment and Economic Advisory Agency (MIEA), is carrying out work on Prime Minister Robert Abela’s private boutique hotel project in Gozo during working hours when he is supposed to be performing his taxpayer-funded government duties, The Shift has learned. Sources close to Pellicano … Continued

Through a new application for another hotel in Gżira, Malta Development Association (MDA) President Michael Stivala is also seeking to sanction an extra floor that was developed illegally a couple of years ago in a business centre adjacent to the site. The proposal also foresees “the interconnection with the adjacent building (ST Business Centre) at … Continued

Malta’s economy may continue to outperform most of Europe, but the country’s independent fiscal watchdog, appointed by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, strongly warned that economic growth is being driven by the wrong factors and is becoming increasingly unsustainable. In its assessment of the government’s macroeconomic forecasts for 2026, the Malta Fiscal Advisory Council (MFAC) endorsed … Continued

“Not 100%, but 300% there is no danger,” developer Anton Camilleri, known as tal–Franċiż, told journalists after residents heard a loud noise as the foundations beneath Camilleri’s huge development in Naxxar started to collapse. Families residing in the area had to be evacuated.  Yet Minister Jonathan Attard turned up and tried to bolster the developer’s … Continued

The Lands Authority is currently facing court proceedings over a bid filed by one of its chief officers, Josef Agius, for a garage in a social housing estate in Siġġiewi, after one of the estate’s residents claimed the right of first refusal. The chief officer heads the Estate Management Directorate responsible for a wide range … Continued

In a court hearing on Monday, Magistrate Gabriella Vella announced that the decision on the involuntary homicide case of 17-year-old Matthew Bartolo will be handed down in September after all parties agreed to exempt the court from having to go through all the case’s evidence again. The decision taken by the Magistrate during the hearing, … Continued

The snap election of 30 May has now passed into history. Robert Abela made the shrewd calculation that allowing the legislature to run its full five-year term would have been a risk worth avoiding. He could already sense that the appointment of Alex Borg as Nationalist Party Leader last September had the potential to reunite … Continued

The crisis engulfing government-controlled affordable housing company Malita Investments plc deepened further after one of its remaining directors, David Mallia, tendered his resignation, adding to a year marked by boardroom turmoil, financial collapse and mounting governance concerns. Mallia’s departure leaves even fewer directors in place following a succession of resignations and internal disputes that have … Continued

The people have spoken. Again. Despite all the scandals, all the controversies, all the inquiries, “that story we are not supposed to discuss”, Malta has elected a Labour government. Again. Yet again. So the question now is not who won or why. That is obvious, and ventilating it makes for a hollowly bitter sound. The … Continued

Luke Dalli, one of TVM’s current affairs presenters, has publicly flaunted his dual role as both a state broadcaster representative and a Labour Party official during the recent election count, raising fresh questions about PBS’s commitment to impartiality and the enforcement of its own code of ethics. In what appears to be a blatant breach … Continued

Malta’s national debt has climbed to almost €12 billion, according to figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), revealing a sharp increase in government borrowing that remained out of the public domain until after the general election. The latest government finance data shows that by the end of April 2026, central government debt had … Continued

Prime Minister Robert Abela, who is expected to announce his new Cabinet and team of parliamentary secretaries in the coming hours, will be closely watching the growing popularity of two of Labour’s strongest performers – Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg and Finance Minister Clyde Caruana. Both ministers are increasingly being viewed within Labour circles as … Continued

While the Labour Party is celebrating its fourth electoral victory in the past 13 years, there is a genuine sense of frustration within its circles as the actual vote count clearly shows that the Nationalist Party has begun its revival. An analysis of the results shows that, when compared to four years ago, Labour has … Continued

The Labour Party emerged victorious in the general elections, retaining the confidence of a majority of voters and extending its hold on government, although it suffered a significant dent in its popularity. While Labour celebrates another electoral triumph, the elections also revealed important developments within the Nationalist Party (PN). Despite conceding defeat (PN general secretary … Continued

This morning, I woke up to a Facebook post showing an individual who had hammered his voting document to his front door with a handwritten message: “No parking, no vote. Thank you, Mayor.” That single image perfectly captures a troubling attitude that has become all too common in Malta. We have reduced one of the … Continued

The weeks following the general elections ought to be a moment for reflection. Governments returned to office with a renewed mandate should seek to reassure those who did not vote for them, extend a hand across political divides and demonstrate that electoral victory does not confer moral infallibility. Instead, Malta is witnessing the opposite. Since … Continued

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has denied claims that construction and demolition waste is being dumped in the open sea as Malta grapples with an escalating dispute over its disposal. As quarry owners are battling for an increase in the cost of waste they receive, industry sources told The Shift that some construction waste … Continued

The President of the Malta Pyrotechnic Association (MPA), former health minister Godfrey Farrugia, dodged The Shift’s questions about how a fireworks factory listed on its website was allowed to operate without insurance, despite its own claims that such factories “have to abide by very strict regulations.” Citing the ongoing magisterial inquiry into the fireworks factory … Continued

Thousands of investors who lent €14 million to Shoreline Mall plc on the understanding that their money would be returned this August are now being asked to wait another two years. In a circular issued ahead of a bondholders’ meeting scheduled for the end of this month, Shoreline confirmed that it is seeking approval to … Continued

The Malta Entertainment and Arts Association (MEIA) is calling on newly appointed Culture Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea to order a transparent review of the Malta Biennale after artists raised complaints over delayed payments, unclear contracts, unresolved commitments, and silence from the event’s leadership. In a statement issued on Monday, MEIA said Maltese and international … Continued

A visit to Comino on Saturday found that despite tighter controls on visitor numbers at the Blue Lagoon, overcrowding and commercial activity continue to overwhelm the protected Natura 2000 site. A site visit by The Shift on 13 June began promisingly enough: by 9.40am, the ferry landing area for Blue Lagoon was free of the … Continued

A court has officially revoked the land concession granted for the proposed St Ioannes Paulus II Hospital at Smart City, bringing to an end a project that disgraced former prime minister Joseph Muscat once promoted as a flagship investment and a vote of confidence in his government. In a recent judgment, Madam Justice Miriam Hayman … Continued

Prime Minister Robert Abela has once again promoted Ronald Mizzi, the former right-hand man of disgraced ex-minister Konrad Mizzi, who is currently facing criminal charges in connection with the Vitals/Steward hospitals scandal. Following Labour’s victory in the latest general election, Mizzi was handed the permanent secretary role within the Ministry for Infrastructure, Planning and Employment, … Continued

Six of Robert Abela’s newly appointed ministers appear to have little meaningful executive authority, highlighting the extent to which Malta’s largest-ever Cabinet has become a vehicle for political accommodation rather than effective governance. An analysis of the ministerial responsibilities published in the Government Gazette shows that at least six of the 21 ministers have been … Continued

An illegal distribution centre run by Wolt that operated unchecked for years is now being converted into what appears to be a district office run by Equality Minister Rosianne Cutajar’s electoral team. While the office remains unfurnished and there appears to be little to no activity on the site, residents within the area confirmed with … Continued

Recent social media posts by Glen Sultana, the son of Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana, are raising fresh concerns about the political neutrality expected of Malta’s top civil servant. The posts show Tony Sultana, accompanied by his wife, two sons and other family members, participating in Labour Party victory celebrations in Valletta following the party’s … Continued

Former Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has had his parliamentary immunity stripped and will face criminal charges over his unexplained wealth. He allegedly accumulated €344,000 over 14 years. His wife has already been criminally charged. The probe into the Prime Minister’s unexplained wealth was triggered by investigative reporting by a Lithuanian broadcaster.  Those stories focused … Continued

Malta’s environmental health authorities have yet to explain why popular beaches were declared unsafe one week and rated “excellent” the next, raising questions about transparency in the country’s beach water quality monitoring system. Following the publication of the Environmental Health Directorate’s (EHD) first water quality report for this season towards the end of May, The … Continued

One of the most prominent leaders of Mater Dei’s Emergency Department, Consultant Emergency Physician Jonathan Joslin, called on the authorities to launch an evidence-based review of Malta’s fireworks sector following this week’s explosions at the Naxxar fireworks factory. In a post on social media, Joslin said “the political powers that be” have a responsibility to … Continued

Prime Minister Robert Abela has bowed to mounting internal pressure and is expected to appoint both Chris Fearne and Rosianne Cutajar to ministerial positions in his new government, despite concerns within Labour ranks that their return will further damage the party’s credibility. Sources close to the Office of the Prime Minister told The Shift that … Continued

Prime Minister Robert Abela is facing mounting pressure from within the Labour Party as he struggles to finalise his new cabinet, with competing demands from senior figures threatening to complicate what was expected to be a straightforward post-election reshuffle. Sources close to the Prime Minister told The Shift that, despite Labour’s electoral victory, Abela has … Continued

In the electoral campaign, Prime Minister Robert Abela promised he would “go through walls” for the Maltese people. Yesterday, when a wall of shock, fear, shattered glass, and uncertainty hit entire communities, he seemed more interested in standing behind a podium than standing with those affected. While residents were checking whether their children were safe, … Continued

In what is being described as one of the most blatant abuses of incumbency during the election campaign, the chairman of Resource Support and Services Ltd (RSSL) announced sweeping salary increases and new financial benefits to more than 700 employees just 24 hours before voters headed to the polls. Lawrence Mizzi, the 75-year-old father of … Continued

Unofficial estimates from both major parties indicate turnout reached around 87.4%, an increase on the record-low 85.6% registered in the 2022 elections. The figure suggests that while many voters expressed disillusionment throughout the campaign, a significant number ultimately cast their ballots. The strongest participation was reported in District 7, where turnout is expected to have … Continued

With abject apologies to Fawlty Towers, there are times in this country when writing an opinion piece starts to feel less like journalism and more like trying to smuggle contraband through customs wrapped in cling film and plausible deniability. What with Judges telling us that we can’t talk about That Event, and the law obligingly … Continued

Construction company Attard Brothers failed to answer questions to address public concern after excavation work at one of the company’s sites in Xemxija was flagged by experts as “risky” because it exposed concrete piles precariously positioned on a blue clay slope. While a significant portion of the exposed piles lies on the site being developed … Continued

Two senior Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) officials, Aaron Zahra and Anthony David Gatt, have been removed from their posts as part of a broader reorganisation of Prime Minister Robert Abela’s secretariat led by Chief of Staff Mark Mallia. Sources familiar with the restructuring told The Shift that both officials will no longer retain … Continued

The decision to appoint former minister Carmelo Abela as Speaker of the House was designed to permanently remove him from any prospect of returning to Cabinet while offering him a prestigious but largely powerless constitutional role, government insiders have told The Shift. Sources said Prime Minister Robert Abela made it clear during consultations on the … Continued

A criminal investigation into the Università Telematica Pegaso in Naples, Italy, has drawn renewed attention to Malta’s role in the expansion of the higher education group, raising fresh questions about a controversial university licence issued by Maltese authorities earlier this year. Italian prosecutors in Naples are investigating 40 individuals, including Pegaso founder and former owner … Continued

A company led by Prime Minister Robert Abela’s former business partner, Gilbert Bonnici, has successfully overturned the government’s award of the lucrative Old Fish Market (Pixkerija) concession, despite offering around €350,000 less per year than the winning bidder. Bonnici Bros Ltd had offered annual concession payments of €242,435, while rival bidder Carmelo Stivala Group, headed … Continued

Days before the start of this year’s Mediterrane Film Festival, a self-indulgent and expensive event for government-appointed Film Commissioner Johann Grech, who also served as one of Labour’s electoral campaign organisers, a new procurement anomaly has emerged around an ongoing public tender. The Shift can reveal that while the sole bid submitted for the organisation … Continued

One of Malta’s most reputable companies, International Hotel Investments (IHI), the owner of the Corinthia hotel brand, is carrying a heavy debt burden and operating with restricted short-term liquidity, according to the group’s latest Financial Analysis Summary, even as it seeks to raise fresh funds from investors through a new bond issue. The analysis, published … Continued

The three members of PBS’s editorial board are facing growing questions over whether they have effectively abandoned their responsibility to uphold the public broadcaster’s own ethics rules, even as allegations mount that certain current affairs presenters openly engaged in partisan political activity during the recent electoral campaign and continue to breach both the rules and … Continued

The government kept a growing dispute over construction waste disposal out of public view during the recent electoral campaign, despite being aware that tensions between developers and quarry operators (some also developers) that threaten to add further to the increase in property prices in Malta, sources familiar with the discussions have told The Shift. Quarry … Continued

A photograph showing a man sitting on the edge of the rooftop structure of the Q2 residential block at Tigné Point has renewed concerns about security and antisocial behaviour in one of Malta’s most exclusive residential developments. The image, taken from a distance, shows an individual perched on the edge of a cantilevered rooftop section … Continued

Chris Fearne is presumed innocent and, unlike many who suddenly discover a passionate attachment to due process only when one of their own is in the firing line, I actually believe in the presumption of innocence. Moreover, the signs are that there may well have been something of a gang-up. Some of the people who, … Continued

The political canvasser handpicked by Transport Minister Chris Bonett for a seat on the Transport Malta board, Jesmond Abela (il–Haċċ), continued to fail to report for work even after being transferred to Infrastructure Malta, according to multiple sources who spoke to The Shift. Abela was moved to Infrastructure Malta after the government’s plans to wind … Continued

Mediterranean Maritime Hub (MMH) has appointed tuna rancher and prominent developer Salvu Ellul to the board of its operating subsidiary, MMH Malta Ltd, in the latest sign that the company’s rescue transaction is progressing. Ellul stepped in with a package for the troubled former Marsa Shipyards concessionaire to acquire a stake in MMH, injecting fresh … Continued

Robert Abela’s latest Cabinet formation has reached its largest size in modern history, with 20 ministers forming the most expansive ministerial team the island has ever had. The new government executive also places Malta firmly at the upper end of European Union governments in terms of ministerial size, particularly when measured against the country’s already … Continued

A senior official from the embattled American University of Malta (AUM) has been recruited to a top management position within MCAST’s commercial arm, raising fresh questions about appointments within Malta’s public education sector. David O’Shaughnessy, until recently AUM’s Director of Student Affairs, has been appointed General Manager of MCAST Gateway to Industry (MG2i), the tertiary … Continued

The Environmental Health Directorate (EHD) has issued a formal health warning for bathers to avoid swimming in Exiles Bay due to “poor” water quality, temporarily closing the beach in Sliema as the summer season unfolds. In its second published dataset, the EHD flagged eight bathing sites with poor water quality, six of which were also … Continued

For the second major election in as many years, Labour-linked pollster Vincent Marmara has found himself explaining why voters delivered a result significantly different from the one he predicted. The latest polling miss comes as scrutiny continues to grow over the hundreds of thousands of euros in government contracts and direct orders awarded to Marmara … Continued

A day after the results of the general elections were announced, Malta woke up to the sounds of multiple explosions which blew apart a fireworks factory in Naxxar, with the force of the blast causing significant damage in surrounding localities. An official statement published by the police force at 8am on Monday confirms that the … Continued

After spending around ten hours zooming around from one polling station to another, it is apparent that major parties are not leaving one vote to chance during the voting day of the 2026 general elections. The Shift visited three localities, each in a different district: Birżebbuġa, Qormi, and Mosta. The first stop was certainly the … Continued

Din l-Art Ħelwa won one of Europe’s top heritage honours in the 2026 European Union and Europa Nostra Awards’ Heritage Champions category after six decades of voluntary work defending Malta’s cultural and natural heritage. The award was presented in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Thursday during the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 The awards are co-funded by … Continued