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SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2026 • ISSUE 1409 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY
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MATTHEW
FARRUGIA
mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt
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Economist JP
Fabri on Budget
2027
Prime Minister
Robert Abela
on Budget
2027
INTERVIEW MT2 PAGE 6
CONTINUES PAGE 7
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Cabinet blindsided by budget
targeting foreign workers
The leftist voices
uncomfortable with
Labour's populist turn
CABINET members were unaware of the
punitive budget measures targeting non-
EU nationals, which have been slammed
by leftist voices close to the Labour Party.
Ministers told MaltaToday they were
not informed of the controversial meas-
ures affecting third country nationals and
only learnt about them during the budget
speech. The ministers were granted ano-
nymity to be able to speak frankly about
confidential matters.
"The measures came as a surprise, leav-
ing many of us uncomfortable because
they targeted a vulnerable section of the
working class," one minister said.
But the measures also irked several La-
bour functionaries, according to sources
within the party, who spoke on condition
of anonymity. "I was dumbfounded by
the irony that a supposedly socialist party
was proposing heavy financial burdens on
working class people," one party official
said.
As a result of the budget measures, third
country nationals (TCNs), who do not
have long-term residency will no longer
benefit from free public transport and
childcare. Non-EU workers with driving
licences will be made to pay a new €83
monthly fee unless they work as drivers.
ALEX BORG TO PROPOSE LOWER ECOTAX RATE FOR WINTER IN BUDGET REACTION PAGE 3
