President says new legislature must deliver tangible improvements to people's lives

President Myriam Spiteri Debono has told parliament that the government's success over the next five years will be measured by its ability to deliver concrete improvements to people's lives, as she outlined the programme for the new legislature during the opening of parliament.

"Responsibility will be measured by the implementation of projects and initiatives that leave a concrete difference in people's lives and in every part of their lives," Spiteri Debono said in the government's address to parliament.

Prime Minister Robert Abela had announced last week that parliament will reopen on 20 June following the casual elections, just 21 days after the general election, marking the shortest interval on record.

"We are going to hit the ground running," the prime minister said, underlining the Cabinet's ambition to begin implementing its legislative programme.

The opening of the 15 legislature began earlier on Saturday with a Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, where members of parliament gathered ahead of taking their oath of office and formally beginning their work in the new legislature.

During the first sitting of parliament, MPs took their oath before the House proceeded with the election of the new Speaker and deputy Speaker.

Carmelo Abela was unanimously elected Speaker of the House of Representatives after being nominated by Prime Minister Robert Abela and approved by both sides of Parliament.

Abela said the role carries responsibility towards the House and its members, the Constitution and the people who give the institution its democratic authority.

Nationalist Party MP Bernard Grech was later elected Deputy Speaker, also with the support of both sides of the House.

She outlined the government's programme for the 15 legislature in Parliament, saying the legislature should focus on improving the quality of life, strengthening families and workers' rights, protecting the environment, and ensuring that economic growth is measured by wellbeing as well as financial indicators.

The president said the election result carried a strong responsibility for the government and highlighted the increased representation of women in parliament through the gender corrective mechanism. She noted that some women who first entered parliament through the mechanism in the previous legislature were later elected directly, describing this as a positive development.

She also referred to the international situation, saying the election was held amid geopolitical uncertainty, marked by conflict and its economic consequences. She said the government intends to continue protecting workers, families and businesses from external pressures while maintaining economic growth and responsible public finances.

The address outlined a programme centred on economic quality rather than quantity.

The government plans to prioritise investment in sectors including financial services, fintech, semiconductors, digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, aviation, the maritime sector, gaming, esports, digital assets and medtech.

Businesses investing in digitalisation, automation and artificial intelligence would benefit from lower taxes and support schemes to improve competitiveness and productivity.

The president said Malta should continue to build on its strong labour market performance by providing further support for workers. Measures included plans for tax reductions, a higher minimum wage, changes to the in-work benefit and an annual untaxed €1,000 bonus for workers through a reformed cheque system. Young people entering employment or launching a start-up would pay no tax on the first €30,000 earned during their first three years.

She said the government also intends to place greater importance on work-life balance. Planned measures include extending maternity leave to 26 weeks, doubling paternity leave to 1 month, introducing 6 months of government-paid parental leave, and granting additional paid leave for parents returning to work after childbirth.

The government also plans to introduce a right for workers to request flexible working arrangements, including remote work, reduced hours and flexi-time.

On education, she said the government plans to update the national curriculum with educators, experts, parents, and students. Goals include reducing early school-leaving below 8% and increasing graduation to 50%, especially in science, math, and tech.

Housing was identified as a priority. The president announced plans to support first-time buyers, families needing larger homes, and those rebuilding after separation. Measures include incentives for property restoration, inheritance, and social housing. Reforms include a buyers' charter, a property register, and stronger protections for tenants and homeowners.

The address also focused on pensions and active ageing. Spiteri Debono said annual pension increases would continue, while reforms to widows' pensions would be completed next year.

Measures are also planned to address pension disparities affecting people born before 1962 and to help individuals with insufficient social security contributions qualify for a pension.

In healthcare, the president announced ongoing investments in hospitals, regional health centres, and mental health services. Plans include regenerating St Luke's and Gozo General Hospitals, expanding Mater Dei's emergency dept, and a pilot for free psychological check-ups.

More focus will be on prevention, mental wellbeing, and community services.

Environmental measures featured prominently in the programme. The President said the government aims to continue creating and restoring open spaces, parks and natural areas while protecting cultural heritage. She described the return of Manoel Island and White Rocks to public ownership as significant achievements and said both sites would receive legal protection.

On energy, the government intends to maintain its targets of generating a quarter of Malta's electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and reducing emissions by 40% compared with 2005 levels. Plans also include greater support for renewable energy projects, energy-sharing schemes, and legal protections for solar panel investments.

Transport remains a major challenge, the president said. The government plans more road projects and investments in public, sea, and mass transport. She noted the increased use of village bus routes and sea links as positive developments.

Gozo also features heavily in the programme, with plans to improve connectivity through the expansion of the Gozo Channel fleet, stronger fast-ferry services, and investment in the Xewkija airfield. Other projects include a new Gozo Court building, a second electricity interconnector, school modernisation projects and new sports facilities.

The president concluded by saying the government's programme extends beyond economic indicators and is built around a wellbeing index that considers health, quality time, the environment and people's happiness alongside traditional economic measures.

She said the legislature should build on the foundations laid in recent years so that economic success translates into a better quality of life for present and future generations