Parliament rises for Christmas after approving 2026 Budget, other bills
Bill for new ‘National Anthem Day’ approved by parliament
Parliament rose for a Christmas recess of almost one month on Tuesday after approving the 2026 Budget.
The final vote was taken after an hour-long sitting, which involved MPs voting on every funding allocation for each ministry. The votes were 38 in favour and 33 against.
Parliament also approved a bill to introduce a Maltese National Anthem Day.
The Bill designates December 27 - the date that L-Innu Malti, composed by Robert Samut and penned by Dun Karm Psaila, was first played in public in 1922 at the Manoel Theatre.
Also approved unanimously were amendments to the constitution that enshrine Valletta as Malta’s national capital.
PN MPs on Tuesday voted against a legal notice that will change the use of land for agricultural purposes. It obliges landowners to ensure that their land is used for agricultural purposes. They risk being fined a maximum €11,000 if they repeatedly fail to do so. The opposition fears the provisions may negatively impact hunters and those who launch fireworks from the sites, a claim the government denies. The legal notice was passed.
Parliament meets again on January 14.