Malta Businesses and Schools Expected To Come To A Standstill On March 10

Sources: The Times of Malta and Malta public holidays. According to Vince Farrugia, director general of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU), business is likely to come to a standstill on Monday, March 10, 2008, especially in the capital, Valletta, and Sliema.

Attendance at schools will also be poor, as school transportation is traditionally not available on the Monday after a general election, as the island goes through the post-general election result routine, usually meaning traffic-clogged roads and widespread celebrations by supporters of the winning party.

As we mentioned in our post of December 16, if the MLP (Malta Labour Party) wins tomorrow's elections, it has promised to bring back the observance of days in lieu, whereby an extra public holiday is given on the Monday following any public holiday that falls on a week-end. If the MLP were to win these elections (and keep their promise), that would mean that the June 29 Saints Paul and Peter public holiday (locally called L-Imnarja) that falls on a Sunday in 2008 would be followed by a day in lieu public holiday on Monday, June 30, 2008.