Morning Briefing
PN wants immediate publication of Vitals inquiry
Opposition leader Bernard Grech has urged the Attorney General to provide him with a copy of the hospitals inquiry report, highlighting the importance of its publication. Grech took umbrage at the limited access to the findings, noting that only Prime Minister Robert Abela and a select few have seen the report. He accused the Prime Minister of dishonesty for asking voters to judge the inquiry without providing them with all the relevant information. Justice Shadow Minister Karol Aquilina said that people who are to face criminal charges in connection with the Vitals hospitals deal are being shown extracts of a secret magisterial inquiry into it, a claim Government denies. (Times of Malta)
Students denounce verbal assaults on judiciary
Several student organisations have denounced recent assaults on members of the judiciary, particularly Magistrate Gabriella Vella, who recently completed an inquiry into a hospital privatisation deal. Last week, Prime Minister Robert Abela and other government representatives cautioned the judiciary against engaging in what they termed “political terrorism” and accused an elusive “establishment” of using the courts to undermine Malta’s democracy. In a statement, 21 student bodies insisted that the judiciary must perform its duties without undue influence. The students stated that comments from top government officials that belittle the judiciary’s work and tarnish its reputation and integrity are inappropriate in a parliamentary democracy built on the rule of law. (Newsbook)
Slight drop in traffic accidents in first quarter
Traffic accidents and fatalities in the first quarter of 2024 decreased compared to the same period last year, according to data from the National Statistics Office (NSO). The NSO reported 3,811 accidents from January to March this year, marking a 0.3% decrease from 2023. Road traffic casualties also dropped by 8.2% to 337 during this period, with 81 grievously injured individuals, including 54 drivers, seven passengers, and 20 pedestrians/cyclists/other road users. Only one fatality was recorded in this quarter, three fewer than in 2023, and the majority of grievously injured individuals were males (77.8%). In terms of age groups, 32% of casualties were in the 41 to 59 age range. (Maltatoday)
