Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543022
ROBERT Abela is forcing a parliamentary vote on Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera's nomination for chief justice despite having no agreement with the Opposition. The vote, which will proba- bly happen on Monday, is un- likely to garner the two-thirds majority required to appoint the chief justice, setting up the nominee for failure. The prime minister tabled the motion on Tuesday after- noon and government Whip Naomi Cachia requested the debate and vote be held on Wednesday (today). Howev- er, Opposition Whip Robert Cutajar insisted that parlia- mentary procedure be fol- lowed. A motion requires a three-day notice to be put on the agenda. Incumbent Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti reaches 68 today and is required by the Constitution to retire. How- ever, the Constitution also has a proviso that allows him to stay on until his replace- ment is chosen by parliament. Earlier on Tuesday, Abela told reporters that if Oppo- sition leader Alex Borg does not state whether he agrees with Scerri Herrera's choice, he was going ahead with a parliamentary motion. "It will then be up to every mem- ber of parliament to examine their conscience and decide," the prime minister had said, adding that Borg had failed to pronounce himself on Scerri Herrera because of internal discord. MOTOR LOANS SKIP TO THE GOOD PART Your Future Ride Today All loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from the Bank. The term of the loan must not go beyond re rement age. Issued by Bank of Valle a p.l.c. 58, Triq San Żakkarija, Il-Belt Valle a VLT 1130. Bank of Valle a p.l.c. is regulated by the MFSA and licensed to carry out the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371 of the Laws of Malta). bov.com/motorloans CONTACT US WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT WEDNESDAY EDITION €1.00 WEDNESDAY • 4 FEBRUARY 2026 • ISSUE 976 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY CONTINUES PAGE 3 Robert Abela forces vote on chief justice nominee EDITORIAL • PAGE 11 CONTINUES ON PAGE 6 Free childcare helped single mothers and larger families join workforce JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt MALTA'S free childcare scheme has had a measurable impact on female employment, particularly for single mothers and families with multiple children, a Central Bank of Malta study found. The childcare scheme introduced in 2014, offers free care for children aged three months to three years for working parents and those stud- ying. According to the study by Natalia Bezzina Maltseva, research econo- mist at the CBM, the scheme has helped parents enter the workforce and reduced reliance on social ben- efits among vulnerable households. • Abela tables motion proposing Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera as chief justice • Alex Borg says no consensus exists on Scerri Herrera nomination • Borg says he proposed alternative name • Chief justice appointment requires two- thirds majority KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt