Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1192401
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 DECEMBER 2019 NEWS Malta to be forced into rule of law talks with Commission CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 MEPs will now demand that Brussels "start a dialogue" with the Maltese government in the context of the Rule of Law Framework "without further undue delay". The rule of law framework's objective is to prevent emerg- ing threats to the rule of law to escalate to the point where the Commission has to trigger the mechanisms of Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union. This is done through a three- stage process that comprises a Commission assessment of the situation in Malta, a Com- mission recommendation, and finally the monitoring of the Malta's follow-up to the Com- mission's recommendation. If no solution is found with- in the rule of law framework, Article 7 is the last resort to resolve a crisis and to ensure the EU country complies with EU values. Article 7 provides for special mechanisms with far-reaching sanctions in case Malta does not respect the fun- damental values referred to in the Treaty. Indeed, in their draft reso- lution, MEPs make clear ref- erence to the Commission's vice-president Vera Jourovà's recent comments stating that "Malta's failure to enact judi- cial reforms could serve as a basis for triggering an Article 7 procedure." Brussels sources said the three-hour debate on Tuesday will be followed by a vote on Thursday. A source close to the Maltese permanent repre- sentation described proceed- ings as "another shit-show for Malta" and predicted that the motion would pass generously. The Maltese government might expect lukewarm support from their socialists colleagues in the European Parliament, but many MEPs were questioning why Joseph Muscat was still hanging on as PM in the cir- cumstances. The Commission will also be told by MEPs of their concern about the integrity and credibil- ity of the investigations into the assassination of Daphne Caru- ana Galizia, especially while Joseph Muscat remains Prime Minister despite a Labour lead- ership contest being underway. "Any risk to compromise the investigations, whether per- ceived or real, has to be exclud- ed by all means; further stresses that this risk persists for as long as the Prime Minister remains in office," the MEPs will tell the European Commission in their resolution. While progress in the mur- der investigations have been achieved, numerous other in- vestigations into related cases of money laundering and cor- ruption have not advanced or not even been launched, the MEPs say in their resolution, in a reference to Schembri's and Labour MP Konrad Mizzi's im- plication in the Panama com- panies connected to Yorgen Fenech's secret Dubai company 17 Black Indeed, it is arguable that it was Caruana Galizia's rev- elation of the existence of 17 Black, which was expected to pay money into the Panama companies, that prompted the chain of events that led to her assassination. Fenech was a shareholder in the Electrogas consortium that won a public tender for the construction of Malta's gas plant, a chief La- bour pledge in 2013 that led to cheaper energy rates. A reform process is already Last day on the EU job... Joseph Muscat (first from left) sits at his last European Council meeting with counterparts who included Dutch PM Mark Rutte, who took an active interest in the Caruana Galizia probe wth Dutch police assisting in the investigation Malta will come under the scrutiny of the European Commission to start enacting reforms that will bring democratic safeguards up to scratch with EU values CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 – which Fearne said, in a press conference yesterday, he would focus on within the first 100 days of being elected leader. "The situation demands that the new prime minister imme- diately address issues of govern- ance and the rule of law," Fearne said. The conference will deal with issues including the way the po- lice commissioner, State Advo- cate and Attorney General are appointed, he said, underlining that he would push to introduce a requirement of a two-thirds majority in Parliament for their appointment and removal. It would also enter into the ap- pointment of the judiciary, party financing, and MPs' salaries and working conditions, he said. Fearne has been endorsed by former president Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca who said in a video message issued yesterday that the Labour Party needed "immediate healing" and that Fearne should be the one to do this. "Chris Fearne is the Prime Minister Malta needs," Coleiro Preca said. Fearne's ten action points: Governance Fearne promised to immedi- ately start solving problems re- lated to governance and the rule of law, saying he would set up a conference to discuss and deal with the issues. Continuing economic success Malta would continue on its road of success, especially when it came to economic growth. However, Fearne said he would ensure that there is more trans- parency and fairness, including when it comes to awarding con- tracts. "We must ensure that the opportunities for business are open to everyone in the same way," he said." Moreover, he said that while it was important to work with business, the government "can- not be led by business". Work would also continue to better pensions, strengthen the educational system, ensur- ing the health service remains amongst the world's 10 best and improving the country's infra- structure. Prioritising the environment The environment, Fearne said, will be given the priority it de- serves. In the coming days he said he would be announcing an ambitious plan to create more green areas in Malta's towns and villages. Things like improving air qual- ity and preserving the country's historical heritage would also be brought to the forefront. The government would work closely with locals councils on these matters. Labour's social values There would be a focus on the Labour Party's social values, in- Chris Fearne during yesterday's press conference