Updated 1130
Edward Scicluna sticks to post despite multiple calls for resignation
Central Bank of Malta Governor Edward Scicluna has stated he has no intention of resigning as Central Bank Governor despite facing trial over the hospitals’ scandal. “I will follow EU treaties. We [the Central Bank] are an independent institution with our own rules,” he said. Since being charged in May, Scicluna has maintained that neither the government nor the opposition can force him to quit. Although Prime Minister Robert Abela yesterday indicated that Scicluna should step down, Scicluna remains firm despite mounting pressure. He is also Deputy Chairperson of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) board, a role appointed by the Prime Minister. While the Prime Minister and the ECB cannot remove him from the Central Bank, his position on the MFSA board is subject to the Prime Minister’s discretion. Under Article 6 of the MFSA Act, the Prime Minister can remove a board member for incapacity or misconduct. (Times of Malta)
Court decision triggers resignation, new appointments in key Ministry post
Permanent Secretary Ronald Mizzi resigned following his indictment in the Vitals hospital scandal on Wednesday. Hours later, the Principal Permanent Secretary’s office announced a reshuffle, with Nancy Caruana, currently Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Inclusion, replacing Mizzi at the Ministry for the Economy. In his resignation letter, Mizzi expressed confidence that the court will clear him but stated that stepping down was the most sensible decision to respect public administration. Caruana will be succeeded by Permanent Secretary Mark Musu, who will take on this responsibility in addition to his existing duties as Permanent Secretary within the Social Policy. (Maltatoday)
Morning Briefing
Rule of Law report calls for increased efforts towards the efficiency of the justice system
The European Commission’s Rule of Law Report has recommended that the government intensify efforts to enhance the efficiency of the justice system, including by allocating additional resources to reduce the length of proceedings. The 2024 Rule of Law Report provides an overview of the rule of law situation across the EU and evaluates the conditions in each Member State and enlargement country. The report notes that, despite some progress, the duration of legal proceedings continues to be a concern. The report also lamented that while preventive measures exist, public procurement procedures show high risks of corruption. It also noted that there have been no developments to enhance the independence of public service media. (The Malta Independent)
Fearne will not seek re-election as Labour Deputy Leader
Chris Fearne announced that he will not run for re-election as Labour deputy leader in the upcoming September party elections. This decision follows a magistrate’s ruling that there are sufficient grounds for him and several others to face trial for fraud and misappropriation related to the Vitals hospitals case. Although Fearne stepped down as deputy prime minister when the charges were filed two months ago, he had continued as Labour deputy leader for parliamentary affairs. Since then, no new deputy prime minister has been appointed, as the Labour statute dictates that the deputy leader for parliamentary affairs automatically assumes the deputy prime minister role when the party is in government. In a Facebook post, Fearne explained that he chose not to seek re-election to allow his successor to seamlessly take on the deputy prime minister role. He expressed his anticipation of presenting his defence in court and his confidence that the court would vindicate him. (Times of Malta)
Malta needs a clean leadership – Grech
Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech stated that Malta needs a “clean leadership” following a court decision which decreed that Chris Fearne and Edward Scicluna can face trial in relation to the Vitals hospitals scandal. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Grech reiterated that Edward Scicluna’s post as Central Bank Governor is untenable, as is that of Permanent Secretary Ronald Mizzi. “That’s why they should resign immediately,” Grech added. The PN leader insisted that with each passing day and in the absence of any decisive action, Prime Minister Robert Abela increasingly appears complicit in “the largest fraud ever committed in the country.” (Maltatoday)
