Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544958
GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. GozoToday is published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on the ferries that carry so many visitors to Gozo from Malta and beyond. GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 ASSISTANT EDITOR: LAURA CALLEJA Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt 3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 15 MAY 2026 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 elected in the 2022 gener- al election through the gen- der mechanism, and George Paul Camilleri. The Nationalist Party has put forward five candidates: PN leader Alex Borg, Nor- ma Camilleri, Beppe Galea, Luke Said, and Frank-An- thony Tabone. ADPD – The Green Party is represented by Luke Joe Caruana, while Momentum has nominated Carmel As- ciak. Aħwa Maltin will be repre- sented by Paul Salomone. District 13 elects five mem- bers to Malta's House of Representatives under the single transferable vote sys- tem. First row (PL): Anton Refalo, Clint Camilleri, Jo Etienne Abela, Abigail Camilleri and George Paul Camilleri Second row (PN): Alex Borg, Luke Said, Norma Camilleri, Frank-Anthony Tabone and Beppe Galea Third row: Luke Joe Caruana (ADPD), Carmel Asciak (Momentum) and Paul Salomone (Ahwa Maltin) Gozo candidates for the 2026 general election come from five parties MOTOR vehicle stock in Mal- ta and Gozo continued to grow in the first quarter of 2026, in- creasing by 3,245 licensed vehi- cles over the previous quarter, according to figures by the Na- tional Statistics Office (NSO). Figures show that the stock of licensed motor vehicles in Malta rose at an average net rate of 36 vehicles per day dur- ing the period, reflecting steady growth in registrations. The majority of newly li- censed vehicles were passenger cars, totaling 3,699 units or 65.1 per cent of all new registra- tions. Motorcycles, including e-bikes and PA-bikes, account- ed for 1,197 units or 21.1% of the total. In terms of fuel type, pet- rol-powered vehicles remained dominant at 57.9%, followed by diesel at 33.8%. Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles repre- sented a smaller but growing share at 5.1%. The data also shows contin- ued expansion in alternative propulsion systems compared to the previous quarter. Plug-in hybrid (diesel-electric) vehicles increased by 4.9%, mild hybrid (petrol-electric) vehicles by 4.8%, and fully electric vehicles by 3.7%. The figures were pub- lished through the national sta- tistical framework by National Statistics Office Malta, which regularly monitors transport trends, vehicle ownership, and energy transition indicators across the country. 3,245 licensed vehicles registered in first quarter of 2026 - NSO Residents call for equal enforcement on public space abuse RESIDENTS and civil society groups have called for consistent and equal enforcement of public space and noise regulations across Malta and Gozo. The group has called for new on-the- spot fines, arguing they should not ap- ply only to tourists but to all offenders, including businesses and residents. The statement responds to the gov- ernment's announcement of imme- diate penalties for littering and noise disturbances by visitors, saying the same enforcement standards must al- so apply to ongoing issues affecting communities across Malta. The groups argue that residents are facing increas- ing pressure on public spaces due to the spread of illegally placed tables and chairs, A-frame signage, kiosks, and the commercial use of pavements, beaches, and open areas. They say these practices are contributing to the gradual obstruction and degradation of shared urban and coastal environ- ments. They also raised concerns over noise pollution, particularly amplified music from commercial premises operating late into the night, which they say often exceeds permitted levels and disrupts residential areas. "The signatories said enforcement must be applied consist- ently, warning against what they de- scribed as selective application of reg- ulations," the group said. They argued that if immediate penalties are justified for tourists, then businesses operat- ing in breach of planning, licensing, and environmental rules should face the same urgency and standards. The statement called for the immediate re- moval of illegal structures and obstruc- tions from public spaces, as well as stronger enforcement against breaches related to outdoor commercial activity and noise control. It also stressed that fines must be substantial enough to de- ter repeated violations rather than be treated as routine operating costs. The appeal was signed by Bizzejjed Group, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħ- jar, Marsaskala Residents Network, Marsaxlokk Heritage, Moviment Graf- fitti, Pembroke Residents, Residenti- Beltin, Sliema Residents Association, St Paul's Bay Residents, Swieqi Pres- sure Group, and Tuna Artna Lura. Figures show that the stock of licensed motor vehicles in Malta rose at an average net rate of 36 vehicles per day during the period, reflecting steady growth in registrations