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MALTATODAY 24 March 2019

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SUNDAY • 24 MARCH 2019 • ISSUE 1011 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY YOUR FIRST READ AND CLICK OF THE DAY WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT SUNDAY • 24 MARCH 2019 • ISSUE 1011 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY maltatoday €1.95 2 today today Lino Cauchi Revisiting a Maltese mystery and its connection to political land grabs of the 1980s PAGES 12-13 Lent A moment of reflection on climate change too PAGE 11 SAVIOUR BALZAN PRIME Minister Joseph Muscat is set to exit Maltese politics as early as the begin- ning of 2020, if negotiations with fellow socialists and allies inside the European Union lead to a meaningful offer for a top EU job. Muscat, 45, has been actively canvassing with fellow members of the socialist po- litical family for a top institutional post, and has already stated he will not run for a third general election in 2022. But his chances are marred by the as- sassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, whose unsolved murder is a black spot on Muscat's record and a key factor which will inf luence MEPs' views of the ambitious leader. "Closure on the murder is key if Mus- cat gets to be considered for a job like EU Council president… especially if he wants to count on support from German chan- cellor Angela Merkel," a Brussels diplomat told MaltaToday. Indeed, in a recent Cabinet meeting which discussed justice minister Owen Bonnici's legislative proposals for the Venice Commission's recommendations, consultant and former minister Louis Grech raised concerns over an unfriendly European Parliament. The comments were made in support of Bonnici's legal amendments to separate the prosecutor's role from the office of the Attorney General, after strong criticism from Council of Europe experts. "Grech was an ardent supporter, and said Malta had to bring MEPs on its side by adopting the Venice Commission rec- ommendations," a government source said. "Grech commented on his own ex- perience as minister for EU affairs hav- ing to face such criticism against Malta in Brussels." Muscat has supported Bonnici's re- forms, showing a keen interest in improv- ing Malta's image with the EU institutions and stave off MEPs' criticism in the run- up to the 2019 elections. "The fast-track adoption of the Venice Commission recommendations surprised some in the Cabinet," the government source said. BACK PAGE 6 FREE! THINK Magazine WITH MALTATODAY FREE! THINK Magazine WITH MALTATODAY Martin Galea Degiovanni Hope lies in the young INTERVIEW 16-17 Muscat has 2020 exit date Joseph Muscat (left) has canvassed for support for European Council president, although Dutch PM Mark Rutte (right), pictured here with High Representative Federica Mogherini, could also be a contender OPPOSITION leader Adri- an Delia has asked the Commissioner of Police to investigate the alleged fal- sification of his signature, which he claims was used for financial transactions. In a press conference he called yesterday evening at 6.30pm, Delia was re- acting to questions he re- ceived from the Times of Malta over what he called "allegations and insinu- ations" based on reports from an investigation by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit. "These documents con- tain my falsified signa- ture," Delia said in his complaint to Lawrence Cutajar. "I expect to be kept constantly updated on the matter." The questions sent to Delia were based on the finalisation of an FIAU in- vestigation which has been forwarded to the Commis- sioner of Police. Delia wants FIAU leak investigation, claims his signatures falsified Delia Soho links

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