The enforcement of regulations, Prime Minster Joseph Muscat said this morning at a political activity celebrating the administration's first 100 days, is one of the country's biggest challenges.  Acknowledging the situation, Muscat pledged that from now much stricter enforcement is to begin, adding that, "There needs to be clear regulations.

Muscat recounted the problem of woman who had complained to him about how her rent had had suddenly increased €3,000 a year to €500 a month, effectively doubling her rent. "This is unacceptable there needs to clear regulations on how things should happen. This is unsustainable but we aren't going to go ahead and simply fire. We are going to consult on the best way forward," Muscat said.

He specifically spoke about other challenges, amongst those the issues of security and enforcement. "I was the first person to say that shops and businesses, because I am pro-business, should have the chance to put out a table or two on the pavement. But now it can't be that you have permission for four tables and you take up the whole street. The regulations are there, it is the enforcement that is needed. So that's it, strict enforcement is going to begin," he added.

Driving was also addressed, with the Prime Minster speaking about how from now on regulations on drinking and driving have become much stricter, with those for example who are driving a mini-bus not being allowed by law to have any alcoholic beverages whatsoever. "We had too many traffic accidents because of over-speeding, accidents that are not acceptable.  I have told the police and other authorities to be even stricter on things like this."

The problems of Birzebbuga were also mentioned, with the issues regarding anti-social behaviour being addressed. "We are not saying we are targeting certain people. When the Maltese are the ones causing issues, we need more enforcement. If there is a situation where people are screaming in the streets in the early hours of the morning or a pavement have become a public lavatory, then we need to do something. Therefore we are going to increase police at the station and our presence in Birzebbuga to show we are truly with them."

However, the Prime Minster also mentioned that the more one isolates people, more is the chance that 'ghettos' will develop. "The long term solution is to integrate people" he assured.

Muscat also discussed drug reforms, specifically that of marijuana, saying that reforms were needed on the legislation of the drug. "Under each government drugs have remained an issue and legislation means the government would have control," Muscat added.

The Prime Minster spoke at length about Malta's future plans and the implementation one day of the scraping of all petrol and diesel cars in favour of electric or other vehicular systems: "Other countries like France and Holland are looking forward, they have planned for the banning of petrol and diesel to begin at 2020 to 2040. Therefore we are going to launch a consultation on Malta's future where we also will be completely on electric or different systems."

The dumping of plastic around the country and its impact on the environment was addressed, in which the Prime Minister spoke about the impacts such material has on sea life and the environment in general. He proposed a system where people instead would be able to hand in plastic and receive a refund: "No one is going throw away money so they won't throw plastic anymore either."

Muscat agrees that 16 year olds would be given the right to vote in national elections and reminded the audience that Labour was the movement that gave woman the vote and lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. "I you can get married at 16 why can't you vote too?" Muscat questioned.

Malta has joined the ‘elites of Europe’

Muscat named Malta as among the “elites” of Europe, mentioning how Malta’s economy has grown three times faster than the rest of Europe and that since the county is joining the other elite states, new challenges will take place.

The Prime Minister remarked how the Fitch agency upgrade of Malta’s credit rating to A+ was down to the government’s budgetary surplus, an increase in jobs, and the change from uncertainty to confidence. “The next time it will be an A++,” he added.

He also referred back to the election period and spoke a great deal about the uncertainty which was manifesting in the country from what he referred to as the ‘klikka’, who, he argued, had done their outmost to damage the country’s economy.

“We chose to put our country first, your jobs first, the jobs that everyone is enjoying. Everyone who has work today, that could have been lost because uncertainty was seeping through.

“We moved away from the old style of politics that hold on to the seat of power for as long as possible. Instead, I went out to the people with serenity and showed them good and bad, and let them choose.”

PM asks his MEPs to back Simon Busuttil to European Parliament post

Muscat said that he has already asked his MEPs to back Simon Busutill for the post he has been nominated to at the European Parliament. “The recommendation is coming from and me only,” Dr Muscat stated. On Tuesday, the European Parliament will be holding a vote for Dr Busuttil’s nomination to serve on the EU panel tasked with scrutinising judges and advocates-general nominated to the European Court of Justice.

“If there was anyone truly affected by what was said about me in the last election, it was and my family. But we are Maltese first and foremost. And this is not a party of vindication or jealousy. Busuttil is Maltese like us.”

He noted as well, that if Dr Busuttil was to be appointed at such a post, he would still be an Opposition MP when Maltese government nominations to the European Court came up, and he for one would like to see would be decided by Dr Busuttil.

Fearne blasts MEA’s sick leave proposal

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister, Chris Fearne, speaking before Muscat, referred to amendments to the IVF laws in order to allow families to have a better chance of having children. In addition, he shared the news of 33 students who are to start studying at the new St Bart’s medical school in Gozo.

He likewise also spoke out strongly against unpaid sick-leave proposal, which the Malta Employers Association had proposed, and said “Whoever thinks that they are going to change our sick leave, they will not!”  The proposal is to have the first day of sick leave being an unpaid day.