Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520629
YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT SUNDAY 12 MAY 2024 • ISSUE 1279 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY 3.60% p.a. MeDirect Bank is a participant in the Depositor Compensation Scheme established under the Maltese Laws. Rate is fixed and is quoted gross of tax on a per annum basis and is paid into a savings account. Accounts can be opened with a minimum of €100 and deposit must be kept in the account for the duration of the term. If a withdrawal is made, the rate will not be achieved. Terms and Conditions apply and are available upon request. MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc, company registration number C34125, is licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority under the Banking Act (Cap. 371). on a 6-month term deposit in Euro. Open an account online today. medirect.com.mt 2557 4400 I info@medirect.com.mt Full timeline of events that saw big deal degenerate into the big steal PAGES 12 - 15 Vitals scandal maltatoday KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Miriam Dalli touted for European Commissioner PA regularises 13 homes that can't be sold due to ODZ illegalities MIRIAM Dalli is being tout- ed as Malta's next Europe- an Commissioner instead of Chris Fearne who withdrew his name after he was crimi- nally charged in the Vitals case. After an emergency meeting of the Labour parliamentary group Prime Minister Robert Abela said there was still time to make a decision on the matter and Dalli would not comment. However, sources within the Labour Party have said Dalli was the "natural choice" to re- place Fearne given her stint as a successful MEP. PAGE 4 THE Planning Authority has regularised 13 properties on the strength of a legal no- tice issued in 2023 for minor illegalities on properties protruding beyond the limits of the development zones. The PA could previously only regularise such minor illegalities when the properties were entirely located in the development zone. PAGE 9 EP president Roberta Metsola on the June MEP election and taking over the helm at the PN PAGES 2 - 3 Leadership 3 - 2 - 1 €1.95 Independent Independent MEP MEP candidate Arnold candidate Arnold Cassola on the EU Cassola on the EU disconnect and disconnect and being being labelled a 'traitor' labelled a 'traitor' INTERVIEWMT2 14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 MAY 2024 ANALYSIS VITALS TIMELINE 13 ANALYSIS VITALS TIMELINE maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 MAY 2024 From deal to big steal: The Vitals timeline PAGES 14 - 15 > 12 ANALYSIS VITALS TIMELINE maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 MAY 2024 From deal to big steal: The Vitals timeline It had to be the incoming Labour government's f lagship project for the health sector when the deal with Vitals Global Healthcare was signed in 2015. Nine years later this white elephant is nothing more than a millstone around the government's neck as several current and former public officials and tens of private individuals face serious criminal charges. NICOLE MEILAK and KARL AZZOPARDI revisit the key events that saw this f lagship project go from deal, to big steal. Robert Abela tries to steady the Labour Party ship until 8 June as Chris Fearne stays on as deputy leader for parliamentary affairs despite resigning from deputy prime minister Miriam Dalli would not comment when asked to confirm if the government will be nominating her for European Commissioner