In the Press: Final political debate | PN issue 'golden soldiers' sticker album

The final political debate before Saturday's MEP elections dominates the newspapers today. PM Joseph Muscat and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil mainly stuck to the well-rehearsed points they covered in their respective campaigns, with AD chairman Arnold Cassola handing out equal portions of criticism to both.

The Times of Malta

Conditions of an EU bailout have lead the Banif Financial Group of Portugal to sell its shares in Banif Malta plc. The aid agreement means the company must sell all its overseas investments, which includes the 70% of Banif Malta. Banif Malta's CEO Joaquim Silva Pinto said that the bank was looking for new strategic partners and that it was yet unclear whether it would be rebranded.

In-Nazzjon

The front page of this paper reports on the PN's release of a sticker album of about 200 people it says are gorging themselves on the benefits of being close to the Labour party. Calling the protagonists 'golden soldiers' PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami revealed the album yesterday outside parliament.

L-Orizzont

The government has proposed a plan to cut hospital waiting times within the next year. The plan includes 5 measures, including the development of an emergency department specifically for children, expected to cost between €800,000 and €1.2 million. The maximum time will take to be seen by medical staff is, according to the proposal, four hours.

The Malta Independent

MP Mario Galea has called for an investigation into the recent news that dementia patients were being requested to vote. Galea requested the electoral commission investigate these claims, in the interest of ensuring the electoral result reflects the public's wishes.