VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Nationalist Opposition will present an “Omnibus Bill” containing 10 major reforms aimed at implementing recommendations from the public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The proposals include constitutional protection for journalists, a new offence of obstruction of justice and a legal framework regulating caretaker governments.
PN Leader Alex Borg announced the plans during a meeting with stakeholders, NGOs and civil society organisations ahead of Parliament’s return from its summer recess.
Other measures seek to introduce criminal liability for public officials who deliberately fail to perform their duties, tackle abuse of public authority and unauthorised use of electronic systems, and criminalise participation in mafia-style organisations.
The package would also introduce unexplained wealth orders and strengthen protection against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).
Borg said the reforms were intended to rebuild public trust in politicians and state institutions.
He said the PN would focus on comprehensive reform and achieving justice for Caruana Galizia, nine years after her assassination.
Borg said those who commissioned the murder had still not been held accountable, describing the situation as worrying for Malta and Europe.
PN Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione said evidence emerging during the murder trial had exposed a serious national reality and undermined trust in institutions.
“We cannot think that after everything that emerged, the country can simply continue with ‘business as usual’,” he said.
Shadow Justice Minister Joe Giglio said the proposed amendments were intended to strengthen the rule of law and restore Malta’s credibility.
The proposals are not yet final, with the PN saying stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide input before the legislation is formally presented.
The initiative follows the government’s rejection of a motion calling for the public inquiry’s recommendations to be implemented by the end of October.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
