Is the Malta desk live on Nation Runner?

Yes. It draws IPU Parline, Malta House of Representatives, election of 30 May 2026, the Electoral Commission count as TVM reported it, and the Cabinet list the Office of the Prime Minister announced on 3 June 2026, as the Malta Independent printed it. It is an editorial dashboard, not an official record.

Which culture figures does the Malta desk show?

Gallup’s Migrant Acceptance Index for Malta in 2016 (4.95 out of 9) and the Migrant Integration Policy Index score of 48, with 2024 printed beside that score. No Pew row for Malta is on the perceptions page, so none is added here.

Does the money tab score political donations in Malta?

No. Zeros mean the access scale is not filled. A zero is not a finding that a party has no donors.

Country desk · updated 12 Nov

Malta

79 seats, and Labour Party holds 42.

Key takeaways

1
Parliament. Labour Party holds the most seats: 42 of 79 (53%). A majority needs 40.
2
Headlines. The tone is brightening: 11% of the last 14 days' headlines read grim, 3% upbeat. Top topic: Politics (24%).
3
Government. Government barometer 47/100 (Mixed record). 0 of 2 moves on file read as smart, 0 as harmful.

Headline mood · 14 days

Line: mood · bars: stories

12 Nov · 4 stories · neutral0 upbeat · 4 neutral · 0 grim

What the headlines are about

Other 32%
Politics 24%
Economy 24%
Society 10%
Security 6%
Climate 3%

A simple word-list estimate from the daily wire headlines. Not a judgement.

Who holds the seats · House of Representatives

79 seats · 40 for a majority (line)

Labour Party

42 seats · 53.2% · a majority alone

42 of 79 seats. IPU Parline lists 42 of 79 seats for the Labour Party, including seats added under Malta's gender and proportionality rules. The Electoral Commission count, as TVM reported it, gives Labour 158,444 votes, 51.77 percent. The MaltaToday survey of 13–24 May 2026 printed 50.6 percent.

Map · mood compared

Malta

Overall mood: 11% grim, 3% upbeat · today +0

What changed today

12 Nov

12 Nov: 4 stories (average 4); tone as usual.

New headlines

Waste agency spends €65,000 on MasterChef
WasteServ awarded a €65,000 direct advertising contract covering MasterChef Malta and Tipping Point, adding another source of public money to programmes produced by Greatt, whose productions have also qualified for lucrative Film Commission rebates. The government waste management company, which falls under Minister Miriam Dalli and is led by chief executive Richard Bilocca, awarded the … Continu…
The Shift News · 11 Nov
From Istanbul To Cappadocia: Discover The Best Of Turkey With ROCS Travel
Imagine exploring ancient cities, cruising between two continents and witnessing some of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes. From Istanbul’s fascinating history to Cappadocia’s famous fairy chimneys, Turkey offers an unforgettable mix of experiences. With ROCS Travel’s 11-day Turkish Delights & The Enchanting Landscapes of Cappadocia tour, travellers can discover the country’s most iconic…
Lovin Malta · 11 Nov
Four Heritage Malta Employees Charged Over Alleged Fake Museum Ticket Scam
Four Heritage Malta employees have been arraigned in court after allegedly selling counterfeit museum tickets and pocketing the money instead of passing it on to the national heritage agency. The employees are facing fraud-related charges following an internal investigation that reportedly uncovered irregularities involving admission tickets at two museums operated by Heritage Malta. According to…
Lovin Malta · 11 Nov
Court hears Transport Malta corruption case following The Shift investigation
A police investigation into alleged corruption at Transport Malta was triggered by reporting in The Shift and a Facebook post by independent politician Arnold Cassola, a court heard on Wednesday. Inspector Andy Rotin told the court that the publications prompted investigators to seek information from the authority about alleged irregularities within its maritime enforcement operations. … Continued
The Shift News · 11 Nov

Earlier this week: 10 more headlines

Jury clears former soldier in Lassana Cisse killing
More than seven years after Lassana Cisse was shot dead while walking home in Ħal Far, a jury has cleared former soldier Lorin Scicluna of his murder. Sunday evening’s 8–1 acquittal followed almost two weeks of testimony about the April 2019 killing, which prompted outrage across Malta and scrutiny of racism towards migrants. The verdict … Continued
The Shift News · 2 Nov
Lorin Scicluna Found Not Guilty Of Lassana Cisse Murder In 8-1 Jury Verdict
Former soldier Lorin Scicluna has been acquitted of murdering Lassana Cisse, more than seven years after the 42-year-old father of two was shot dead in Ħal Far. According to Times of Malta, a jury returned an 8-1 not guilty verdict on Sunday evening, acquitting Scicluna of the 2019 murder and the attempted murder of three … Continued •
Lovin Malta · 2 Nov
Watch: Heavy Rain Turns Salini Road Into A River As Storms Sweep Across Malta
Heavy rainfall caused significant flooding along Salini Road on Saturday, as thunderstorms swept across much of the Maltese Islands. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta) Footage sent to Lovin Malta shows water accumulating along the road following the downpours, highlighting the flooding experienced in parts of the … Continued •
Lovin Malta · 2 Nov
Corinthia to repay millions with more borrowing
International Hotel Investments (IHI), the company behind the Corinthia hotel brand, is seeking €30 million in fresh borrowing to repay existing bondholders, as its financial reporting shows mounting debts, liquidity pressures and property disposals. The new unsecured bonds carry annual interest of 5.45% and mature in 2034. According to IHI’s 19 October announcement, the proceeds … Continued
The Shift News · 2 Nov
From Housing To Transport: Here Are Alex Borg’s Key Proposals In His Budget Reply
Opposition Leader Alex Borg has outlined a series of proposals covering housing, education, transport, tourism and the economy in his reply to Budget 2027. Among the measures put forward by the Nationalist Party are refunds on mortgage interest for first-time homebuyers, air conditioning in every classroom, automatic compensation for power cuts and changes to the … Continued •
Lovin Malta · 3 Nov
Born In Malta, Built For The World: AIBC Heads To Rome For Its Biggest 2026 Show
What began in Malta as a blockchain summit has grown into an international event focused on AI, blockchain, Web3, crypto and digital finance. Eight years after its launch as Malta AI and Blockchain Summit, AIBC is preparing to close its 2026 calendar with its biggest event of the year, taking place in Rome alongside SiGMA … Continued •
Lovin Malta · 3 Nov
No compensation for family of former parliamentary secretary who died on operating table
The family of former parliamentary secretary Joseph Cassar, better known as Peppino, has lost its compensation claim over his death during a procedure at Mater Dei Hospital almost 10 years ago, after a court found that the medical team had met accepted standards of care. Judge Rachel Montebello dismissed the case brought by his widow, … Continued
The Shift News · 3 Nov
Calypso Hotel shareholder is also acting as valuer of €22.7 million property
Alex Bigeni, the Gozitan architect with a shareholding interest in the company owning Gozo’s Calypso Hotel in Marsalforn, also valued the hotel and surrounding properties at €22.7 million, according to disclosures in BBT plc’s financial analysis summary. The report identifies Bigeni & Bigeni Co. Ltd. as one of the shareholders in La Mer Limited, the … Continued
The Shift News · 3 Nov
Abela’s Budget Reply: Eight Key Announcements That Could Change Malta And Gozo
From free Gozo Channel crossings to the return of Qatar Airways and major improvements at some of Malta’s most popular destinations, Prime Minister Robert Abela made a series of announcements during his parliamentary reply to Budget 2027 on Tuesday evening! Here’s a look at the key measures announced. Free Gozo Channel Trips From January 2027 … Continued •
Lovin Malta · 4 Nov
Second Phase Of Blue Lagoon Beautification Works To Begin Soon, Abela Announces
The Blue Lagoon in Comino is set for another round of improvements, with Prime Minister Robert Abela announcing that the second phase of beautification works will begin soon! Speaking in Parliament during his response to Budget 2027, Abela revealed that fees paid by tourists visiting Comino will help finance the ongoing improvements at one of … Continued •
Lovin Malta · 4 Nov

Headlines and summaries come from the linked sources; the selection is automatic.

Go deeper

Parties, people, promises, money

Seats 30 May 2026 · votes at that election

79 seats, and Labour Party holds 42.

The seat map is IPU Parline, Malta House of Representatives, election of 30 May 2026. It shows 79 seats: Labour Party 42, Nationalist Party 37. A majority of 79 is 40. Only two parties sit in the House. The Electoral Commission count gives ADPD 1.31 percent and Momentum 1.54 percent, with no seat. Vote shares are from the Electoral Commission count as TVM reported it. They are a share of votes cast, not a share of seats.

A score on this desk is an editorial average of six work topics, times ten, with the method written on the row.

The room

House of Representatives

79 seats · 40 to govern alone · Labour Party 42

The deal

One party governs with 42 of 79 seats

40 seats would be a majority of 79. Labour holds 42 on the IPU list and governs alone. The Nationalist Party holds 37. No other party won a seat; ADPD and Momentum stayed under 2 percent each.

The mood

Election vs now

The left bar is the vote share. The right bar is seats divided by 79. They are different counts.

Labour
50.6%
PN
44.2%

The first point is the 2022 general election, Labour 55.1 and Nationalist 41.7 percent of first-preference votes, as the Electoral Commission publishes them (162,707 and 123,233 votes). The second point is the final MaltaToday survey, fieldwork 13–24 May 2026. The third point is the 2026 Electoral Commission count. Malta votes by single transferable vote, so first preferences decide most but not all seats.

The trend

From election night to now

Public pollster blend — not a forecast

The split

Seat share beside the vote share

The right bar is seats divided by 79. The left bar is the vote share. The electoral system means the two differ.

The mismatch

Seats they hold vs the poll

The seat bar is seats divided by 79. The other bar is the MaltaToday survey of 13–24 May 2026.

The rude gauge

Growth king or a fight with work

Who grows the pie, who picks a fight with work. Cabinet sits at 47 / 100. The number is an editorial reading, not an official index. Six topics are averaged and multiplied by ten: energy supply, hiring, keeping and investing money, building, hours in paid work, and paperwork. Ten means the public record makes that easier for work. Zero means it makes it harder. The band is a label for that average, not a court ruling.

Against the workMixed recordGrowth king

Full causal chains live on every promise

This week

The pulse

Government2026-06-03

New Cabinet

Robert Abela named 21 ministers and two parliamentary secretaries after Labour's fourth consecutive win.

House2026-06-20

House opens

Carmelo Abela was appointed Speaker and Bernard Grech Deputy Speaker; Alex Borg was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition.

Politics 101

How this country actually works

What this chamber drawing is

79 seats. 40 to govern alone.

Who holds the offices this desk names

Robert Abela, Prime Minister; Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health.

Office holders come from the Cabinet list the Office of the Prime Minister announced on 3 June 2026, as the Malta Independent printed it. Party leaders are named from the press reports linked on each bio.

How foreigners are seen

Openness in Malta

Published surveys only. Each figure shows its source and year.

Who's welcomed

Share of adults in Malta with a favourable opinion of each country Pew asked about. A view of a country, not of its people.

How would my country be seen here?

UnknownNo country view on file

Pew's 2025 Global Attitudes survey did not poll in Malta, and no other survey of views of other countries is on this desk yet. Nothing is guessed. The other measures here, and the comparison below, still work.

Welcoming index

Derived from the two published measures below, not a survey result. Each input keeps its own year.

51.5/100

Mean of Gallup 4.95 of 9 (2016), rescaled to 55.0, and MIPEX 48 of 100 (2024).

The measures behind it (shown separately)

4.95/9People: acceptance of migrants
Gallup, 2016

48/100Law: integration policy
MIPEX, 2024

What expats say

InterNations Expat Insider 2025: rank out of 46 destinations, 1 is best.

Ease of settling in20 of 46
Culture and welcome22 of 46
Local friendliness20 of 46
Finding friends18 of 46

InterNations, Expat Insider 2025

All desks side by side

Pick a measure. Countries without a published figure show Unknown and sit at the end; they are not counted in the average.

Average of the 20 of 22 desks with a figure: 63.3 of 100. Unknown left out: Georgia, Thailand.

In plain words

Expats ranked Malta 20 of 46 for ease of settling in (2025); its best sub-score was finding friends at 18.
No published survey here asks people about other countries, so who's welcomed is unknown for this country.

Sources and method are listed under “How we source this” at the bottom of the page.

What it means for you

Only figures with a source and a date. Each source is listed under “How we source this” at the bottom of the page. Anything not listed here is not on file.

Pay
Malta's 2026 payroll update gives €229.44 a week for whole-time employees aged 18 and over from 1 January 2026, citing Legal Notice 289 of 2025.
Taxes
The summary says supplies in Malta are typically taxed at the standard rate of 18 percent, with reduced rates of 12, 7 and 5 percent.
Income tax
For 2026 the single rates tax income up to €12,000 at 0 percent and income of €60,001 and over at 35 percent. New parent bands with higher tax-free amounts start in 2026.

Sources, licences and image credits

Data

Wire (public RSS feeds): The Shift News, Lovin Malta.
The left bar is the vote share. The right bar is seats divided by 79. They are different counts.
Editorial economic-competence gauge, not a court and not a Nobel. Six axes: energy, hiring, capital, building, hours in work, red tape. Scores are a judgement from public records of this term and the last — not a bribery charge, not a voting recommendation.

Survey sources

Malta — Gallup Migrant Acceptance Index 2016: Gallup. Neli Esipova, John Fleming and Julie Ray, “New Index Shows Least-, Most-Accepting Countries for Migrants”, Gallup, 23 August 2017. The full-country table lists Malta at 4.95. The survey-methods note says the index was asked in 138 countries in 2016, so the year used here is 2016. Source. Gallup allows a contextual citation when the publication date and a link are given. The table and graphics are not reproduced.
Malta — MIPEX overall score 2024: MIPEX. Migrant Integration Policy Index, Malta country page. The block headed 2024 prints “MIPEX Score (with Health): 48”. Source. The overall score is cited from the country page. The report is not reproduced.

Image credits

Labour Party mark — Nation Runner · Original geometric mark. Not an official party logo. Public domain. Source
Nationalist Party mark — Nation Runner · Original geometric mark. Not an official party logo. Public domain. Source
Flag of Malta — Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Source

Questions the desk actually answers

FAQ

Questions the desk actually answers

Is the Malta desk live on Nation Runner?: Yes. It draws IPU Parline, Malta House of Representatives, election of 30 May 2026, the Electoral Commission count as TVM reported it, and the Cabinet list the Office of the Prime Minister announced on 3 June 2026, as the Malta Independent printed it. It is an editorial dashboard, not an official record.
Which culture figures does the Malta desk show?: Gallup’s Migrant Acceptance Index for Malta in 2016 (4.95 out of 9) and the Migrant Integration Policy Index score of 48, with 2024 printed beside that score. No Pew row for Malta is on the perceptions page, so none is added here.
Does the money tab score political donations in Malta?: No. Zeros mean the access scale is not filled. A zero is not a finding that a party has no donors.

How we source this

Seats: IPU Parline, Malta House of Representatives, election of 30 May 2026. Votes: the Electoral Commission count as TVM reported it. Ballot support: MaltaToday survey, 13–24 May 2026; General election 2026. Offices: the Cabinet list the Office of the Prime Minister announced on 3 June 2026, as the Malta Independent printed it. Culture: Gallup 2016 and the Migrant Integration Policy Index block headed 2024.

How foreigners are seen

Pew asks adults for their opinion of a country. That is a view of the country, not of its people or of any visitor. We never estimate a pair that was not asked; it shows as unknown.

InterNations ranks come from expats living in the country (46 destinations in 2025). Gallup's Migrant Acceptance Index runs from 0 to 9. MIPEX scores integration law and policy from 0 to 100.

Welcoming index: the mean of the Gallup index rescaled to 0–100 (score ÷ 9 × 100) and the MIPEX overall score, rounded to one decimal. It is derived, not a survey result, and the two inputs come from different years. If either input is missing the index is unknown: it is not estimated, it sorts last and it is left out of the average.

What it means for you

PwC Malta, payroll updates 2026 (Legal Notice 289 of 2025), data as of 2026-01-01
PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries, Malta, other taxes, data as of 2026-09-30
PwC Malta, payroll updates 2026, income tax rates, data as of 2026-01-01