Perhaps one of the most challenging dilemmas facing Malta at present is the direction it intends to take.

The latest barometer published by the Chamber of SMEs reported that close to two-thirds (64%) of businesses feel that Malta is moving in the wrong direction. The principal reasons relate to concerns over quality of life; economic pressures; infrastructure and national planning; and cost of living, reinforcing the importance of sustainable long-term planning alongside continued economic growth.

This followed closely after an unprecedented fourth consecutive electoral victory for the Labour Party, which is dedicated to guiding Malta in a direction influenced partly by its electoral manifesto and, predominantly, by the objectives outlined in Envision Malta 2050.

So what should one make out of such an incomprehensible paradox?

The paradox deepens, as the latest World Happiness Report indicates that happiness and social trust indices have recently reached some of their highest levels.

Undoubtedly, therefore, Maltese continue to hold a negative view of the country's direction and are increasingly concerned about the economy, despite notable improvements in happiness and social trust indicators.

Increasing inflation, overpopulation, challenges with sustainable energy, and the uncertainty about the economic model continue to significantly impact the public outlook for the future.

There are also concerns over living standards, highlighting the impact of economic concerns on daily life. Many people are anxious about not being able to sustain their current lifestyle, worried about paying off debts and loan payments, and concerned they might have difficulty affording groceries for their household.

The increase in the happiness index suggests that personal life satisfaction may be partially detached from negative perceptions of the country's overall direction and economic outlook. The modest improvements in happiness and social trust indicators suggest that individuals may be developing coping mechanisms despite ongoing structural challenges.

Interpersonal trust remains insufficient, and there is an ongoing need to improve democratic participation, social cohesion, and confidence in institutions.

Perceptions of liveability are closely linked to economic expectations and satisfaction with public services, with economic difficulties and infrastructure shortcomings continuing to have a negative impact.

Is it possible that most voters believe that, despite all the noise and strong opinions, things aren't actually going too badly?

                                       Seasonal surges in domestic violence

 It was good news to read in the 2025 Annual Crime Review that domestic violence, at 13.9% in 2025, decreased from 2,225 cases in 2024 to 2,174 in 2025, a drop of 2% (51 cases). The decline is notable, particularly given that this category of offence has been on an upward trend since 2007. With an increase of 1,918% from 2005 to 2025, the decline observed in the past year is particularly noteworthy, especially considering the enhanced services provided by the Victim Support Agency.

It is somewhat alarming to note that a total of 222 domestic violence cases were reported in Malta from 1st January to 13th July of this year, according to figures presented in parliament.

The data shows that 1,606 domestic violence cases have been reported between 2021 and 13th July of this year, highlighting the continued prevalence of domestic abuse across the country.

Last year saw the highest number of reports in the period covered, with 541 cases recorded in 2025, up from 425 in 2024.

Of course, based on such statistics, the war against domestic violence remains ongoing, and it was also good news to know that a total of 184 panic alarms were issued to domestic violence victims who are deemed to be in extreme danger, a year since the devices were first introduced.

There is one particular aspect that perhaps the respective authorities could seriously consider and investigate.

Summer is a time most people associate with lightened moods, relaxation, and fun. Yet for people who experience abuse from their partners, the warm months can be worse than the darkest days of winter.

From what I could gather from the available statistics and information, intimate partner violence and domestic abuse rates tend to increase in summer compared with other seasons, although there is often also a spike in incidents during the winter holidays.

Several factors may contribute to this concerning phenomenon, such as the effects of summer heat waves, disparities in access to heat relief, heightened alcohol consumption, childcare responsibilities and disruptions to daily routines, increased time spent with family, and amplified financial pressures.

Although domestic violence and intimate partner violence can never be blamed on any season, they do seem to worsen during these months. Understanding these reasons can help in developing strategies to mitigate the risks.

                                               Let's hope for a good job at San Anton Gardens

San Anton Gardens were once one of our country's most historically and culturally significant landmarks.

In a particular review on Tripadvisor in March 2020, a Norwegian tourist advised travellers, "It's shabby. Far from well-kept gardens. Dead animals. I wouldn't go there again. There are far more beautiful gardens in Malta to visit."

By August 2023, the dilapidated San Anton Gardens were not renovated, despite plans to do so after Project Green submitted a planning application. That came almost two years after the Labour government promised to carry out extensive renovation works on San Anton Gardens.

At the time, the state of neglect was extensive, with several greenhouses left to rot and with shattered glass posing a danger to visitors; various walls were heavily eroded, troughs either disappeared or collapsed, and stone benches were in such a terrible state that they collapsed into the soil.

More than one patron who attended a performance of the MADC's annual summer Shakespeare play, a tradition that has been upheld at San Anton, on-and-off, ever since the mid-1930s, has reported witnessing the resident rodent population deciding to get in on some of the Shakespearean action themselves!

Over the months, shockingly enough, their upkeep continued to be severely neglected, often falling into extensive disrepair. Despite unending public complaints about several unsafe tracts of the gardens and a plethora of calls for restoring them to their pristine glory, it was late in the day that the government started conservation, maintenance and restoration works, with an investment of more than €3 million.

To start with, the short stretch of pavement at the back entrance to San Anton Gardens has been in a terrible state since 2012. Safety considerations should make repairing this pavement a top priority, and aesthetic considerations for this prime spot should make it no less.

One augurs that the intended 'conservation, maintenance and restoration' works will truly respect the gardens' original environment and ambience and that we will have nothing of the sort of plans that were attempted in January 2024, when Project Green proposed to replace the existing listed conservatory in the popular public gardens with two multi-purpose halls containing movable partitions, with an evident potential for eventual commercial use.

San Anton Gardens deserve no less than to be fully rehabilitated and restored to their former Grade 1 glory as an open space.