Updated 1230
Chamber slams fraud benefits pardon
The Malta Chamber stated on Saturday that the presidential pardon granted to individuals involved in social benefit fraud further strengthens a culture of impunity and has also diminished the credibility of Malta’s new president According to the Chamber, the government should align itself with ethical principles and send unequivocal messages that it will not protect wrongdoers or hinder those seeking to rectify matters. The Chamber emphasized that this is a fundamental aspect of good governance, and any deviation from this standard may be perceived as pandering to public sentiment and delaying necessary actions. The Chamber’s remarks come in response to recent revelations which disclosed that numerous individuals who admitted to falsely claiming severe disability benefits will be receiving a presidential pardon. (Maltatoday)
Cyrus Engerer says he is a political orphan
Cyrus Engerer has announced that he will not be contesting the upcoming MEP elections in June. As a Labour MEP who entered the European Parliament in 2020, Engerer expressed that many individuals who share his values currently feel disconnected from Malta’s political landscape. He mentioned his intention to stay engaged in public affairs, taking on a more active role as an advocate. Engerer emphasized his belief in the necessity for change in Malta, aspiring for the country to progress to a higher standard. This includes advocating for equal opportunities, transparent governance, and the full implementation of recommendations from investigations into the deaths of Daphne Caruana Galizia and Jean Paul Sofia.
Despite his decision not to contest the elections, Engerer expressed gratitude to Labour leader Robert Abela for his support and encouragement up until recently. He also mentioned receiving invitations from two other European parties to run on their tickets, although he did not disclose their names. (Times of Malta)
Morning Briefing
BCA Members asked to resign – reports
All but one member of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) board have been requested to step down. This request was communicated via email and mail earlier this week by Jonathan Attard, the minister in charge of the construction regulator. David Bonello, who represents the Opposition on the board, is the only current BCA board member who did not receive a resignation request. The reasons for requesting resignations were not disclosed to the board members. (Times of Malta)
PL announces nine candidates for EP election
The Labour Party has put forward nine candidates for the European Parliament election, excluding both incumbent Cyrus Engerer and former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat from the list. The PL shared a picture on Facebook showing the nine candidates taking a selfie at the Naxxar counting hall, where they gathered to submit their nominations collectively. The PL’s candidates are incumbent MEP and vice president of the S&D Alex Agius Saliba, economist Clint Azzopardi Flores, financial analyst Steve Ellul, former Mtarfa mayor and lawyer Daniel Attard, Gudja mayor and lawyer Sara Marija Vella Gafa, former MEP Claudette Abela Baldacchino, trade unionists Jesmond Marshall and Jesmond Bonello, and Gozitan Thomas Bajada. (Maltatoday)
PM defends pardons in fraud benefits case
Prime Minister Robert Abela, vigorously defended the recent announcement of a presidential pardon for individuals implicated in the benefits-for-votes scandal, asserting that it was driven by a commitment to justice and “compassion.” However, this decision, made just before local and European elections, has sparked skepticism regarding the true intentions behind the pardon and the potential conflict of interest, particularly considering allegations of ministerial involvement in the scandal. When questioned about the oversight of the pardon process, Abela referred to legal procedures, clarifying that the Cabinet of Ministers determines the conditions, and the President of Malta is responsible for signing the decree. (Newsbook)
PN says PL registered voters on shell housing estate
The Nationalist Party alleged on Friday that the Labour Party had registered close to 100 voters as residents of a housing development in Siġġiewi that is still under construction. According to the PN, these registered residents do not actually reside in the government estate. During a press briefing held outside the Valletta law courts, Michael Piccinino, the secretary general of the Nationalist Party, cited this case as a clear instance of the government utsing housing projects and other resources to influence local council elections.
The party has submitted 99 court applications seeking to annul the registrations of the voters in question. In the 2019 local elections, Labour secured victory in Siġġiewi for the first time, with a narrow margin of just 70 votes. (The Malta Independent)
