Delia praises government’s acceptance to discuss ‘most serious’ issues
Leader of the opposition Adrian Delia has praised the government for accepting to discuss the “most serious issues” gripping the nation in Parliament before continuing “business as usual”. He announced that several rule of law proposals will be made in Parliament.
He reiterated his commitment to raise proposals made by the Civil Society Network and by the Opposition, chiefly that the police commissioner and the attorney general are to be removed, that both are replaced by 2/3 approval in Parliament, and that the AG’s role is changed to better serve the country.
Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was blown up after a car bomb was placed in/under her vehicle on 16 October. Following this, the Opposition called on the government to declare that the issue is of “national urgency”. Government did not agree to this initially, with Delia commenting yesterday on Radio 101 that the country needs to forget partisan politics. Agreement has been reached, Delia said, and a discussion will take place today.
Dr Delia said that throughout the summer one of his primary themes saying that Malta is not a normal country.
“The Opposition had been saying for four years, that the institutions are crumbling, the positions of the police commissioner and attorney general are not tenable.”
The certificate of this came two weeks ago unfortunately through the brutal murder of Caruana Galizia, he added.
He continued to say that the criminals felt they could act with impunity, and they feel that the country is “theirs” and not “ours”.
“The Opposition was very clear in Parliament. The shock we felt, turns to rage. The people outside, civil society – and this is important to understand – it is important that civil society itself, normal people, also have their own voice. This is important.”
Dr Delia said that when government starts to take decisions of the attorney general, of the police commissioner, that is when it is overstepping its remit, and it is important for people to speak out when this is happening.
He stressed the importance of freedom of expression. Dr Delia tried to send the message that calls for strengthening of Malta’s institutions does not come from a political place, but it comes from a place of wanting to see Malta to improve.
He slammed former General Workers’ Union general secretary Tony Zarb for the disparaging language he used when likening female protestors to prostitutes and extended condemnation of all those who use disparaging language.
He spoke of a meeting with the Italian anti-mafia commission, who is concerned that criminal funds could be brought to Malta.
“If criminal funds start coming to Malta, our everyday lives will start to suffer.”
Dr Delia spoke of the crisis within the education system and said that it would be unthinkable not to appropriately invest in the education of Malta’s children as the country’s main resource and skills are its people.