Over the past decade, the number of individuals in Gozo classified as having a “severe permanent disability” has seen a dramatic and unexpected surge. According to official figures presented in the Maltese Parliament, Blue Badge permits — which entitle holders to disability-related parking privileges — increased from 27 in 2013 to a staggering 1,097 by the end of 2024. This represents an increase of over 4,000%, an anomaly that has attracted both public attention and professional scepticism....

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