What the Sunday papers say…

Malta Today reports that the permit for the lucrative superyacht for a floating dock in the Grand Harbour was awarded without issuing a call for tender or an expression of interest. In comments to this newspaper, Transport Malta CEO James Piscopo confirmed that a private company was awarded the permit, explaining that it was an “opportunity that ought not be missed”.

Meanwhile, a Malta Today survey shows that Labour is still leading the way in the EP election polls - ahead of the PN by four points - but their support has dropped by seven points since a similar survey carried out in March.

Sunday paper Illum reports that MEP Joe Cuschieri, who this week performed a u-turn on his initial decision not to re-contest the MEP elections, was asked by the Labour Party to reconsider out of fear that many Labour supporters are considering not voting in the upcoming election.  The newspaper also refers to the EP survey carried out by Malta Today in which it would seem that Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi is now the favourite to win the third and last seat, overtaking Cyrus Engerer.

The Sunday Times carries out an interview with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in which he speaks of the ordeal he passed through this past week whereby he and another 40 persons were hospitalized for acute pain in their eyes. The incident occurred at Labour Party event, with the reason believed to be linked to the UV lighting used for the event. Muscat tells how “it felt like blades slashing my eyes”, whilst fearing that he had gone permanently blind.

The Malta Independent on Sunday says that Erin Tanti, the 23-year-old teacher accused with the murder of his 15-year-old student Lisa Maria Zahra, could still face 23 years in prison if not found guilty.  Crime historian Eddie Attard says that Tanti could become the first ever Maltese person imprisoned wih assisting a suicide.

Nationalist organ Il-Mument reveals that the initial response given to PM Joseph Muscat by Marie Louise Coleiro Preca after being asked whether she would accept his nomination for her to become President, was an “outright no”. In an interview with the newspaper, Coleiro Preca praises the Opposition for accepting her nomination, and outlined ‘uniting a nation’ as the priority of her term.  

It-Torca reports that PN leader, Simon Busutill, is being hypocritical in his public support for residents in the South of Malta after the PN, in the past, ignored their concerns.  The South, the residents themselves claim, is being used unjustly as a political battleground.