Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542585
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 14 JANUARY 2026 NEWS NGOs say tables and chairs are not a right as public space concerns grow ENVIRONMENTAL and res- idents' groups have warned ta- bles and chairs on public pave- ments should not be treated as a right, criticising government's approach to managing outdoor catering in public spaces. In a joint statement, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Marsaskala Residents Network, Moviment Graffitti, Residenti Beltin, Res- identi Mellieħin and the Sliema Residents Association said the commissioning of a private firm to draw up master plans for the "reallocation" of tables and chairs risked "normalising a deeper and more troubling assumption that private com- mercial use of public space is an automatic right". The groups were reacting to the Ombudsman's recent inter- vention on the obstruction of public pavements by tables and chairs, which they said reflected "a reality that residents and civil society have been forced to en- dure for years". They said what was once an exception had "gradually be- come an entitlement", with bars, restaurants and takeaways increasingly assumed to have the right to occupy public pave- ments with platforms, furniture, heaters, restaurant equipment, barriers, signage and musicians, "regardless of context or im- pact". "This shift has sneaked in qui- etly, without democratic con- sent, and almost always at the expense of pedestrians and res- idents," the statement said. The organisations said the is- sue was not the lack of planning, but the acceptance of a poli- cy approach that treats public space as something businesses are entitled to take over. "The suggestion that the state should now spend significant public funds to plan how private operators can more efficiently occupy public land is not only unfair, but insulting to the pub- lic and deeply misguided," they said. They said public pavements, roads and squares "are not re- sidual areas waiting to be filled, nor are they compensation for commercial activity", adding that such spaces exist "first and foremost to serve the public". Encroachments permitted during the Covid-19 emergen- cy were granted "on the under- standing that it was a temporary arrangement" and should now be returned to the public domain "without delay", the groups said. They also criticised any policy approach that starts from the premise that tables and chairs must be accommodated rath- er than questioned, saying this "undermines" the principle that public space should be protect- ed for public use. The NGOs said any serious discussion on urban planning, heritage protection, sustainabil- ity and quality of life must in- clude civil society and resident organisations. "Their participation is not a courtesy, nor a political conces- sion; it is a democratic, legal and practical necessity stipulated both by the EU and by UNES- CO," the statement said. The groups said reform should begin by reaffirming that "pub- lic space is public" and should be protected, rather than rede- signed to absorb continued en- croachment. "Public space is not a privilege to be negotiated. It is a basic right," the statement said. The statement was signed by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Marsaskala Residents Network, Moviment Graffitti, Residenti Beltin, Residenti Mellieħin and the Sliema Residents Associa- tion. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt NGOs were reacting to an Ombudsman report on the obstruction of public pavements by tables and chairs (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) 4,368 births registered in Malta and Gozo in 2025 THE Malta Public Registry re- ported 4,368 births, 4,176 deaths, and 2,240 marriages in Malta and Gozo in 2025. Noah and Emma were also the most popular names for boys and girls. "From the birth of a child to the end of a person's life, the Public Registry formalises every civil status of an individual. The Iden- tity Agency remains committed to ensuring that the service it provides, and that of any depart- ment under its responsibility, remains efficient and effective. The digital strategy designed and adopted by the agency is allowing it to continue to facilitate the lives of all our cli- ents," Edric Zahra, Chief Executive of the Identity Agency, said. How many babies were born Out of 4,368 births, 2,243 were boys, and 2,125 were girls, resulting in 123 more boys than girls. In Malta, 4,028 chil- dren were registered, including 2,059 boys and 1,969 girls, a de- crease of 79 compared to 2024. In Gozo, 340 births were re- corded, with 184 boys and 156 girls. The most popular boy names in Malta were Noah, Luca, and Matteo, while Emma, Emilia, and Leah led for girls. In Gozo, the most common names were Ellie, Valentina, and Mia. For the fourth year in a row, Ġanni and Luċija remained popular Maltese names. How many people died During this period, a total of 4,176 deaths were recorded across the islands. Malta ac- counted for 3,838 of these, with 1,979 men and 1,859 women. In Gozo, there were 338 deaths, consisting of 168 men and 170 women. Marriages, civil unions and cohabitation A total of 2,240 marriages were registered in Malta and Gozo. According to the Public Registry of Malta, this number represents an increase over the marriage registrations of 2024. In 2024, the Registry recorded 2,021 marriages, which rose to 2,069 in 2025, an increase of 48 marriages. In Gozo, 171 mar- riages were registered. During the same period, Malta recorded only one Civil Union, and the to- tal number of registered cohabi- tations was 65, with 60 in Malta and five in Gozo. Certificates issued The Public Registry in Malta is- sued 76,357 certificates in 2025, up 2,593 from 2024, including 1,543 multilingual certificates for use in other European Union countries. The online certificate service also grew, from 42,425 requests in 2024 to 44,460 in 2025. In Gozo, 6,157 certificates were is- sued, alongside 57 multilingual certificates and 38 Certificates of No Impediment. Zahra highlighted the Public Registry's essential role in offi- cialising civil status for every citi- zen, from birth to death. "The Identity Agency remains committed to providing efficient and effective services. Our digital strategy allows us to improve and expand services for all clients in the years ahead," Zahra added. JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt