In the Press: President refuses to sign civil unions bill

The Times of Malta

President George Abela has told the Prime Minister that he is not in a position to sign the civil unions bill into law, citing morals grounds. The government will have to wait until President Abela’s term is up and Marie Louise Coleiro Preca is sworn in. She has stated that she has no problem with signing the bill, as it was one of Labour’s pre-electoral promises. Another report says that up to 10% of guest nights are spent in unlicensed accommodation. According to the Malta Tourism Authority, this equates to about 5,500 beds in unlicensed accommodation.

In-Nazzjon

Leader of the PN Simon Busuttil has called on the residents of Marsaxlokk and Birzebbuga to voice their disapproval of the Mepa-approved gas power station plans in the upcoming MEP elections. Busuttil said that the elections in May are a chance to show the PM how they feel about the plans, which were given the go ahead despite residents’ concerns.

Another article reveals that the 15 March horse races – which took place on the Mriehel bypass and stalled straffic for several hours – were sponsored by Mario Farrugia Borg, a Labour MEP candidate and member of OPM staff.

L-Orizzont

A document on the splitting of Mepa into two separate entities has been submitted for public consultation. The proposed split hopes to achieve more efficient processing of development applications as well as more representation for the environmental side of the Authority.

Sharing the front page is a piece about Malta’s black market, which has flourished between 2007 and 2013 according to a report by the European Commission. Industries such as construction and vehicle repair are just two culprits, with many services not declaring their income to authorities.

The Malta Independent

The Independent’s front page is occupied by a report on the ongoing battle between Virtu Ferries Ltd and the US government over the 2011 Libya evacuation. So far the US has not paid Virtu for the emergency evacuation that saved many of American lives when the Tripoli uprising erupted violently. Representatives of the US failed to attend court sittings.

This newspaper also suggests that the much anticipated cabinet reshuffle would occur today, based on sources close to the governmet.