Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520358
2 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 8 MAY 2024 2 MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt NICOLE MEILAK nmeilak@mediatoday.com.mt These articles are part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author's view. The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action. Establishing the Establishment: Will the real Establishment please stand up? Everyone's trying to under- stand who the real Establishment is. Robert Abela thinks it's the National- ist Party, particularly the 'Blue Heroes' faction of the party, as well as Repub- blika and other institutions or organi- sations that Abela probably deems an- ti-Labour. The Nationalist Party thinks it's Joseph Muscat and his cabinet, as well as Robert Abela. But finally, the real Establishment stood up. It's ac- tually D'Amato Records! Established in 1885. I guess you don't become the world's oldest record shop without some soft power behind the scenes. The Unbearable Weightiness of Corruption: It's now confirmed that Joseph Muscat is among a list of peo- ple that will be charged with money laundering, fraud and making fraudu- lent gain. Muscat is specifically to be charged with accepting bribes and cor- ruption in public office, together with ice bucket challenge buddy Konrad Mizzi. Muscat has said he will "relish disproving the charges" in court. Series of unfortunate events: Mag- istrate Gabriella Vella can't get a break right now. Remember that case about the 99 'ghost voters' we wrote about in our first digest? It turns out that Magistrate Gabriella Vella, who led the Vitals magisterial inquiry, had been assigned some of the PN-filed cases regarding the registration of those vot- ers to the government housing project which is still under construction. Now, the Labour Party will intervene in the cases and will request the recusal of the magistrate. Candidate-watch: Thomas Bajada (PL), Louise Anne Pulis (PN), San- dra Gauci (ADPD) and Conrad Borg Manché (Independent) took part in a debate at MCAST, hosted by MaltaTo- day and Lovin Malta. Arnold Cassola (Independent), Peter Agius (PN) and Ralph Cassar (ADPD) went on RTK103 for a radio debate. What's on today?: The National- ist Party is holding a discussion event with Bernard Grech at the PN każin in Tarxien at 6:30pm. The Labour Party is holding a community event in Ħal Safi at 5:30pm and a discussion with Robert Abela at 6:30pm in Bormla. I too have been victimised by the Establishment (I was held accountable for my poor decisions) – read more for a round-up of day seven of the election campaign Maybe the real Establishment was the friends we made along the way THE Labour Party is planning to request the recusal of Magistrate Gabriella Vella from PN-filed cases regarding the reg- istration of 99 voters in a government housing project which is still under con- struction. Last month, the PN filed court appli- cations requesting the reversal of regis- trations for the voters in question. The housing block in question is located in Siġġiewi, a locality which the PL won in the last local council elections by a mere 70-vote advantage. So far, three people have admitted in court that they do not actually live in the residence where they are registered. On Tuesday, the PL stated it will in- tervene in the cases, as it will request the recusal of Magistrate Gabriella Vel- la from some of the cases. The magistrate in question has re- cently been the target of the PL's and the Prime Minister's attacks, follow- ing her conclusion of the Vitals Global Healthcare inquiry. In its statement, the PL said the Mag- istrate refused to recuse herself. In April, MaltaToday reported that 73% of the 99 voters hail from three lo- calities that form part of housing min- ister Roderick Galdes's constituency. Information obtained by MaltaToday shows that no voters were registered as living in the block situated on Triq l-Imdina up until 31 March when the electoral register was published as is normally done every year. When asked to comment on the alle- gations, Roderick Galdes said that the issue was a "media spin by MaltaTo- day." PL wants to remove Vitals magistrate from Siggiewi ghost voters cases Thomas Bajada (PL), Louise Anne Pulis (PN), Sandra Gauci (ADPD) and Conrad Borg Manché (Independent) took part in a debate at MCAST