MEP Sven Giegold, financial and economic policy spokesperson of the Greens/EFA group, comments on the assumption of office of Malta’s new Prime Minister Robert Abela:
“Abela faces the great challenge of initiating a political restart in Malta. A restart is only possible if he clearly distances himself from the old system of corruption and clientelism. Abela deserves a chance, but scepticism is appropriate. He was a legal advisor to former Prime Minister Muscat and thus part of the old system. Malta must finally comply with European rules when it comes to anti-money laundering, the independence of the judiciary and banking supervision. Corruption and clientelism in public procurement and in planning procedures in the construction industry must be consistently prosecuted.
The new government must tackle all the problems that led to the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. To this end, the Maltese Government must fully implement the recommendations of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. The European Commission should immediately start the dialogue with the new Maltese leadership in the context of the rule of law procedure. Europe can no longer ignore the culture of impunity for money laundering and corruption. The EU Commission must initiate an Article 7 procedure if no progress is made by the Maltese government”.
The latest Malta resolution of the European Parliament:
https://sven-giegold.de/malta-parliament-vote-shows-commission-must-begin-rule-of-law-dialogue/