What the Sunday papers say…

MaltaToday says its latest survey results show Opposition leader Simon Busuttil gain four points in the latest trust ratings, with Busuttil still trailing Prime Minister Joseph Muscat by four points, down from 8 points last month and 15 points last year. Survey results also show that the number of those who trust neither party leader has decreased. In an interview with the newspaper, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat says his government is keeping ‘its head above the water’, despite facing the most serious accusation yet made against his administration.

On the backpage, the newspaper reports that Ryan Schembri, the former supermarket director who fled Malta after amassing some €40 million in debt, has been ordered to pay Banif Bank €566,404 in unpaid home loans.

Sunday newspaper Illum says PN leader Simon Busuttil may be a candidate on the Gozo district in the next general election in an attempt to regain the PN’s majority. The newspaper also reports that the Panamagate scandal may give rise to a new political party, which can contest the next general election.

The Sunday Times of Malta reports that new voting software that would slash the wait for a result from days to hours is expected to be tested in the 2019 MEP and local council elections before it comes into use for all national polls. The newspaper also says that Allied Newspapers will “cooperate fully” with an independent inquiry into allegations of wrongdoing by managing director Adrian Hillman.

The Malta Independent on Sunday carries interviews with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil. In his interview Muscat says he would resign as leader of the Labour Party if the party were to lose the next general election, while on his part, PN leader Simon Busuttil says “the tide is turning” because people have been misled by the government.

It-Torca says several companies wanted to engage the 300 workers who were being dismissed by De La Rue from its Malta plant. The newspaper also says that Daphne Caruana Galizia’s “attack” on Allied newspaper Managing Director Adrian Hillman – who is known to have a close relationship with Mario de Marco – is being interpreted as an attack on the PN deputy leader.

Nationalist news organ il-mument says Labourites are calling for the resignation of energy minister Korad Mizzi, prime minister Joseph Muscat and his chief of staff Keith Schembri in the wake of the Panamagate scandal. The newspaper also reports that members of Labour’s parliamentary group have expressed their disgust at the “unacceptable” situation in which the government finds itself.

Labour newspaper Kullhadd reports how Prime Minister Joseph Muscat enjoys a 10.7% advantage over Opposition leader Simon Busuttil in trust ratings.