Good morning,
The Venice Commission reports dominate the front pages in Malta’s newspapers. In international news, we read the latest on Brexit, the most recent revelations about interference in US elections and the ECJ ruling for the re-instatement of Polish senior judges.
Your morning briefing to start your day informed.
The Malta Independent reports that the government welcomes the recommendations proposed by the Venice Commission and said it considers the report a contribution to legal reform. The Commission advised that too much power is concentrated in the office of the Prime Minister.
The Times, meanwhile, says that Justice Minister Owen Bonnici told the press that the government has reservations about some of the recommendations, although he did not specify. The Venice Commission report will be handed over to the committee responsible for the reform of the Constitution.
L-Orizzont says that Constitutional reform has been discussed for many years and that the Venice Commission report confirms the need to make changes. The paper quotes Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that the recommendations will help the country change for the better.
In-Nazzjon says that the Venice Commission is concerned at the way democracy is functioning in Malta. The paper says the recommendations echo proposals that the Opposition has long been advocating for, including separating the powers of the Attorney General and a public call for the appointment of the Police Commissioner.
In another story, The Times quotes the Malta Association of Social Workers that the country does not have a zero-tolerance approach to gender violence. The Association said that victim-blaming needs to be challenged if cases are to decrease.
The Malta Independent publishes a Eurostat report which says that 82 percent of self-employed in Malta are satisfied with their jobs. A fifth of self-employed are taking forward a family business while a third said they found the right opportunities to set up their own business,
L-Orizzont speaks to counsellor Karl Grech who says that during Christmas celebrations an increase in the use of drugs is observed, as many people turn to substance abuse to escape their realities.
In another article, L-Orizzont publishes an interview with Education Minister Evarist Bartolo who speaks about the challenges to build more and better schools.
Labour has been under pressure from other opposition parties to force a vote of no-confidence under the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act. Under the law that sets out when the UK holds elections, if a majority of MPs backed such a motion, it would trigger a general election and result in the resignation of the Prime Minister if the UK Government couldn’t reverse the result in a second vote within 14 days.
On Monday, the Senate Intelligence Committee released a pair of sweeping reports illuminating how effectively Russian influence operations weaponized social media during the 2016 presidential election, targeting groups like African-Americans, evangelical Christians and pro-gun activists to sow division, confuse voters and support the candidacy of Donald J. Trump.
A one-time business partner of former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has been arrested and charged with illegally lobbying to have a Turkish exile returned from the U.S, Haaertz reports.
Poland’s president signed legislation Monday that reinstates Supreme Court judges who were forced into early retirement despite the European Union condemning the removals as a violation of democratic standards.
2018 is the worst year on record for violence and abuse against journalists, with at least 80 killed in connection with their work, a further 348 imprisoned and 60 held hostage, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The Special US Marine Task Force Commander Adam Chalkley said that the situation on the ground in Libya is improving, hinting the possibility of US diplomatic mission’s return, to function from Libya.
Updates:
A Russian cargo ship has run aground on a beach in Cornwall as strong winds whipped across the southwest.
Emergency services were launched just after 6am to help the Kuzma Minin bulk carrier ship which is stuck just metres off Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth Bay.
Manchester United has announced that Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect.
