Malta’s General Government recorded a €339 million deficit during the first quarter of 2026, as government spending continued to outpace its income.Figures released today show that while government revenue increased by €42.5 million compared to the same period last year, total expenditure surged by €296.3 million, resulting in the sizeable deficit.Meanwhile, the country’s national debt has climbed to €11.46 billion, marking an increase of €549.3 million over the first quarter of 2025.There was one positive development: government-guaranteed debt fell by €81.3 million, standing at €896.7 million at the end of March.The figures offer a snapshot of Malta’s public finances at the start of 2026, with rising expenditure continuing to put pressure on the country’s budget despite higher revenues.What do you make of these numbers?•