Updated 1233 – Coronavirus situation unchanged
There were no changes in the coronavirus situation, the Health Department said, with no new cases identified from 931 tests. The number of active cases remains at 5.
Updated 1048 – Gonzi would support new leadership contest, but opposes punishment of dissenters
In comments to timesofmalta.com, former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi said he would support any constructive proposal to resolve the Nationalist Party’s crisis, including a proposal to hold an open and fair leadership contest.
The portal also reports that Gonzi will oppose any proposal to punish dissenters as this contradicts the very nature of what the PN stands for.
“And I expect persons of integrity and rectitude to stand up and be counted at this crucial point in time,” the former PN leader said.
The English-language publication also quotes sources which indicate that a reshuffle of the shadow Cabinet is expected to leave out several dissidents but “rehabilitate” others.
Updated 0824 – Newspaper Review
The Times leads with the decision by President George Vella to retain Adrian Delia as Opposition Leader. A statement by the Office of the President said that the constitutional role must be held by the leader of the biggest party in opposition.
In-Nazzjon publishes excerpts from the letter by the President in which he advised that the discussion about who the Leader of the Opposition should be, must not continue any further.
L-Orizzont says that President George Vella described the situation within the Opposition as unprecedented but argued that there should be no change in its leadership in order to ‘protect the stability and continuity’ in the parliamentary system.
The Independent quotes Constitutional Law expert Kevin Aquilina who criticised the reasoning of the President in deciding to keep Adrian Delia as Leader of the Opposition. Aquilina said that the decision is a ‘meaningless interpretation’ of the law.
The Times follows the compilation of evidence against John Paul Woods, accused of having murdered Charlene Farrugia in 2008. The prosecuting inspector told the court that the victim and the accused had had an argument over money owed to her partner.
L-Orizzont follows the case about the murder of 25-year-old Charlene Farrugia in 2008. Accused John Paul Woods had first admitted to killing her, but then changed his version and blamed his friend.
The Independent says that Prime Minister Robert Abela ordered the missing Memorandum of Understanding signed between the government and Vitals Global Healthcare to be retrieved, after the National Auditor said that it could not be located.
In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia following the President’s decision to keep him in the role of Opposition Leader. Delia said that he will continue to give all his energy to party and country.
Updated 0725 – Delia loyalists to seek disciplinary action against dissidents
The Times of Malta reports that party sources told this newspaper that PN committee members loyal to Delia will seek disciplinary action against the dissidents, 17 MPs and two MEPs, who had passed a vote of no-confidence in him, even though the matter is not on the agenda.
Morning Briefing
An explosive PN Executive meeting is scheduled this evening at Dar Centrali, fresh from yesterday’s developments. After almost three days, President George Vella yesterday afternoon broke his silence through a lengthy statement in which he announced that following constitutional advice, Dr Adrian Delia cannot be removed of his position of Opposition Leader.
Dr Vella however confirmed that Delia had lost support of a majority of Opposition MPs.
However, he explained how in the judgement he arrived to, the role of Opposition Leader should be held by the leader of the largest party in Opposition, currently the PN. With this consideration, Delia could not be removed.
In a message on Facebook, Adrian Delia asked for everyone who believes in the rule of law and respects the Constitution to respect this decision. On the other hand, the group of MPs and MEPs who want Delia out said that “this decision breaches the constitution and this is confirmed by a number of constitutional experts who spoke publicly”.
Anti-Delia MPs not giving up
In their statement, anti-Delia MPs said that with a sense of responsibility and commitment towards the country and the PN, they will keep encouraging the PN to be led by a person with integrity and credibility, who puts the national and the PN’s interest before personal interest.
Delia vowed to remain on as Leader of the Opposition despite having lost the vote of confidence. Tonight’s Executive Committee meeting had been planned prior to the recent escalation of the PN crisis.
Former Police Commissioner took hard disk with him after resignation
Former Police Commissioner keeps hitting the new news for the wrong reasons when in a PQ answered by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri it transpired that he, as well as those before him, have been allowed to take the hard disk of their personal computer upon retirement or when their services were no longer required. Camilleri justified this decision on the basis that “it was always like this”, but expressed his opinion that such practice should be changed.
Coronavirus cases stable, as Belgium opens travel corridor to Malta
There were no new coronavirus cases in Malta between Sunday and Monday. No persons recovered, meaning the number of active cases remained at 5.
Travelling between Malta and Belgium is expected to resume as of 16th July, following the inclusion of Belgium on the amended ‘travelling list’ from Malta. The updated list of countries where travelling is allowed and travel corridors have been established, was published by the Government of Malta and enacted through a Legal Notice.
Earlier last week, the Belgian government has placed Malta on its “red zone” list, where travel was not recommended, mainly due to the fact that the Mediterranean island had not included Belgium as a country where travelling should take place.
CDE News
