Egovernment in Malta

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Egovernment in Malta Country Profile History Strategy Legal Framework Actors Who’s Who Infrastructure Services for Citizens Services for Businesses INSIDE WHAT’S eGovernment in Malta ISA Visit the e-Government factsheets online on Joinup.eu Joinup is a collaborative platform created by the European Commission under the Interoperability Solutions for Public Administrations (ISA) in Europe Programme. Joinup provides numerous services around 3 main functionalities: 1. An observatory on interoperability, e-government, e-inclusion and e-health 2. A collaborative platform of open communities 3. A repository of interoperability solutions This document is meant to present an overview of the eGoverment status in this country and not to be exhaustive in its references and analysis. Even though every possible care has been taken by the authors to refer to and use valid data from authentic sources, the European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the included information, nor does it accept any responsibility for any use thereof. Cover picture © Fotolia Content © European Commission © European Union, 2015 eGovernment in Malta, January 2015, Edition 17.0 Country Profile ......................................................................................................................... 1 eGovernment History .............................................................................................................. 7 eGovernment Strategy .......................................................................................................... 22 eGovernment Legal Framework ........................................................................................... 27 eGovernment Actors ............................................................................................................. 30 eGovernment Who’s Who ..................................................................................................... 34 eGovernment Infrastructure ................................................................................................. 36 eGovernment Services for Citizens ..................................................................................... 42 eGovernment Services for Businesses ............................................................................... 47 eGovernment in Malta January 2015 Country Profile Basic data and indicators Basic Data Population (1 000): 425,384 inhabitants (2014) GDP at market prices: 7,544 million Euros (2013) GDP per inhabitant in PPS (purchasing Power Standards EU 28=100): 87.9 (2013) GDP growth rate: 2.5 % (2013) Inflation rate: 0.8 % (2014) Unemployment rate: 6.4% (2013) General government gross debt (Percentage of GDP): 69.8% (2013) General government deficit/surplus (Percentage of GDP): -2.7% (2013) Area: 316 Capital city: Valletta Official EU language: Maltese, English Currency: EUR Source: Eurostat Political Structure Malta – whose territory includes the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino, and other minor islands – is a parliamentary republic. It was a British colony from 1800 until its independence on 21 September 1964. The Republic was proclaimed on 13 December 1974. Legislative power is held by a unicameral Parliament (House of Representatives), currently made up of 69 members elected for five years. This single member constituency system permits a plurality premium. The Head of State is the President, who is elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term and has an essentially ceremonial and symbolic role. Executive power lies with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. The Prime Minister, appointed by the President for a five-year term, is the leader of the majority party or of a majority coalition in Parliament. Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Constitution of Malta was adopted in 1964 and substantially amended in 1974 and 1987. Malta became a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004. Head of State: President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca (since 4 April 2014). Head of Government: Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (since 11 March 2013). [1] eGovernment in Malta January 2015 Information Society Indicators Generic Indicators The following graphs present data for the latest Generic Information Society Indicators for Malta compared to the EU average. Statistical indicators in this section reflect those of Eurostat at the time the Edition is being prepared. Percentage of households with Percentage of enterprises with Internet access in Malta Internet access in Malta 90% 95 95 95 97 79 81 100% 94 80% 75 77 70 90% 70% 80% 60% 70% 50% 60% 40% 50% 40% 30% 30% 20% 20% 10% 10% 0% 0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source : Source: http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=iso http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=iso c_bde15b_h&lang=en c_ci_in_en2&lang=en Percentage of individuals using the internet at least once a week in Malta 80% 70 70% 66 66 66 60 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Malta 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 EU Source : http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=isoc_bdek_di&lang=en [2] eGovernment in Malta January 2015 Percentage of households with a Percentage of enterprises with a broadband connection in Malta broadband connection in Malta 80 77 79 97 80% 75 100% 92 95 95 95 69 70% 90% 80% 60% 70% 50% 60% 40% 50% 40% 30% 30% 20% 20% 10% 10% 0% 0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source : Source: http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=iso http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=iso c_r_broad_h&lang=en c_bde15b_e&lang=en Percentage of individuals having Percentage of enterprises having purchased/ordered online in the last received orders online within the three months in Malta previous year in Malta 45% 16 16 16 41 16% 40% 37 38 14 35 14% 35% 32 12% 11 30% 25% 10% 20% 8% 15% 6% 10% 4% 5% 2% 0% 0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source: Source : http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init =1&language=en&pcode=tin00067&plugin=1 =1&language=en&pcode=tin00111&plugin=1 Malta EU [3] eGovernment in Malta January 2015 EGovernment Indicators The following graphs present data for the latest eGovernment Indicators for Malta compared to the EU average. Statistical indicators in this section reflect those of Eurostat at the time the Edition is being prepared. Percentage of individuals using the Percentage of individuals using the internet for interacting with public internet for obtaining information from authorities in Malta public authorities in Malta 45% 50% 40% 38 45% 36 41 40 35 40% 37 37 35% 35% 32 30% 28 27 30% 25% 25% 20% 20% 15% 15% 10% 10% 5% 5% 0% 0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source : Source: http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=iso http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=iso c_bde15ei&lang=en c_bde15ei&lang=en Malta EU [4] eGovernment in Malta January 2015 Percentage of individuals using the Percentage of individuals using the internet for downloading official forms internet for sending filled forms to from public authorities in Malta public authorities in Malta 35% 30% 31 30% 28 29 27 25% 25% 23 20 20% 17 20% 15 16 15% 13 15% 10% 10% 5% 5% 0% 0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source: Source: http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=iso http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=iso c_bde15ei&lang=en c_bde15ei&lang=en Malta EU [5] eGovernment in Malta January 2015 EGovernment State of Play The graph below is the result of the latest eGovernment Benchmark1 study, which monitors the development of eGovernment in Europe, based on specific indicators. These indicators are clustered within four main top-level benchmarks: User Centricity – indicates to what extent (information about) a service is provided online and how this is perceived. Transparent Government – indicates to what extent governments is transparent regarding: i) their own responsibilities and performance, ii) the process of service delivery and iii) personal data involved. Cross Border Mobility – indicates to what extent EU citizens can use online services in another country. Key Enablers – indicates the extent to which 5 technical pre-conditions are available online. There are: Electronic Identification (eID), Electronic documents (eDocuments), Authentic Sources, Electronic Safe (eSafe), and Single Sign on (SSO). These top-level benchmarks are measured using a life-events (e.g. mystery shopping) approach. The following life-events were used for measuring the eGovernment Benchmark top-level indicators: Business start-up and early trading operations, losing and Finding a Job, Studying, Regular business operations, Moving, Owning and driving a car, and Starting a small claims procedure. The figure below presents the development of eGovernment in Malta compared to the EU average score. Source: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/dae/document.cfm?doc_id=5562 1 http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/dae/document.cfm?doc_id=5812 [6] eGovernment in Malta January 2015 eGovernment History Main developments and key milestones (in reverse chronological order) For the latest developments, see: Joinup news. Recent News November 2014 - The second phase of the online services launched in the previous month by the Hon Dr. Owen Bonnici, Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government for the Legal profession was implemented. The new mobile-enabled
Recommended publications
  • Outgoing Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's Labour Party Wins The
    GENERAL ELECTIONS IN MALTA 3rd June 2017 European Outgoing Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s Labour Elections monitor Party wins the snap election in Malta. Corinne Deloy The Labour Party (MLP) of outgoing Prime Minister Joseph Muscat came out ahead in the Analysis snap election that took place on 3rd June in Malta. Taking 55.04% of the vote he beat his main rival, the Nationalist Party led by Simon Busuttil, who won 43.68% of the vote. Together the four other political parties which were standing a snap election at the beginning of May after attacks made – the Democratic Party (PD), founded in 2016 by Marlene by the blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, who revealed that Farrugia, forged an alliance with the nationalists in this election; Muscat’s chief of cabinet Keith Schembri and Energy Minister, Democratic Alternative (AD), an ecologist party led by Arnold Konrad Mizzi (MLP) were the respective owners of the Cassola; the Maltese Patriotic Movement (NPM), a nationalist businesses Hearnville Inc and Tillgate Inc, two Panamanian party led by Henry Battistino and the Bidla Alliance (BA) a offshore companies that they are said to have acquired thanks Christian, Eurosceptic party led by Ivan Grech Mintoff – won to the help of the Panamanian legal firm Mossack Fonseca, 1.29% of the vote and no seats in Parliament. which was involved in the international Panama Papers scandal. Turnout, which is always high in the archipelago, was almost At the end of April Joseph Muscat’s wife was accused of being the same as that recorded in the previous general election on the owner of part of the Panamanian offshore company Egrant 9th March 2013: it lay at 92.1% (- 0.9 point).
    [Show full text]
  • IMPACT REPORT a Word from the Founder and Director|
    2017 - 2020 IMPACT REPORT A word from the founder and director| In October 2017 as we were preparing to launch a collaborative " network of journalists dedicated to pursuing and publishing the work of other reporters facing threats, prison or murder, prominent Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was horrifically silenced with a car bomb. Her murder was a cruel and stark reminder of how tenuous the free flow of information can be when democratic systems falter. We added Daphne to the sad and long list of journalists whose work Forbidden Stories is committed to continuing. For five months, we coordinated a historic collaboration of 45 journalists from 18 news organizations, aimed at keeping Daphne Caruana Galizia’s stories alive. Her investigations, as a result of this, ended up on the front pages of the world’s most widely-read newspapers. Seventy-four million people heard about the Daphne Project worldwide. Although her killers had hoped to silence her stories, the stories ended up having an echo way further than Malta. LAURENT RICHARD Forbidden Stories' founder Three years later, the journalists of the Daphne Project continue and executive director. to publish new revelations about her murder and pursue the investigations she started. Their explosive role in taking down former Maltese high-ranking government officials confirms that collaboration is the best protection against impunity. 2 2017-2020 Forbidden Stories Impact Report A word from the founder and director| That’s why other broad collaborative On a smaller scale, we have investigations followed. developed rapid response projects. We investigated the circumstances The Green Blood Project, in 2019, pursued behind the murders of Ecuadorian, the stories of reporters in danger for Mexican and Ghanaian journalists; investigating environmental scandals.
    [Show full text]
  • It-Tlettax-Il Leġiżlatura P.L
    IT-TLETTAX-IL LEĠIŻLATURA P.L. 5166 Dokument imqiegħed fuq il-Mejda tal-Kamra tad-Deputati fis-Seduta Numru 346 tat-22 ta’ Ġunju 2020 mill-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni, l-Onor. Adrian Delia. ___________________________ Raymond Scicluna Skrivan tal-Kamra 6/2212020 PM wants probe into 'disgusting' 17 Black deal; Muscat: 'I've nothing to hide' - Reader Mode A PM wants probe into 'disgusting' 17 Black deal; Muscat: Tve nothing to hide'- Reader Mode Adrian Delia: How much did Abela know? , NationaQ 17 Black J Alternative energJl Government; 2 days agol255 Photo: Clifton Fenech/DOI Updated 8.25pm Prime Minister Robert Abela has called for a full investigation into revelations that murder suspect Yorgen Fenech secretly made a €4.6 million profit via his secret company 17 Black off Enemalta's decision to buy a wind farm in Montenegro. The news was uncovered by Times of Malta and Reuters on Friday. Asked about his reaction to the news, Abela said he expected the investigative bodies in Malta to fully investigate these claims and to prosecute if any criminal responsibility is found. "If what is reported is true, I am disgusted. Malta's law enforcement off1cers must investigate," Abela said at Castille, adding that police had to investigate anyone connected, "whoever they are". Abela said that rather than investigate, he expected the police to prosecute if there was enough evidence that anyone was connected to this case. chrome-d isti ller://f53d2840-9e62-45be-a449 -65c83336dd7b_ eb6e4a 7830dbf93a8f3b 77 cffb852df9b004 7 cc7 e8067 842900ac8 ce4d45a25fl?time=.. 1/4 6/22/2020 PM wants probe into 'disgusting' 17 Black deal; Muscat: 'I've nothing to hide' - Reader Mode "We cannot have never-ending investigations.
    [Show full text]
  • Manual on Resourcing Policies and Procedures
    MANUAL ON RESOURCING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES GOVERNMENT OF MALTA Manual on Resourcing Policies and Procedures Last updated 29 September 2021 Contents 1 Recruitment and Appointment In the Public Service 9 1.1 HR Requirements – Ministries and Departments 10 1.2 Filling of Vacancies in the Public Service by Transfer of Public Officers between Government Departments 10 1.3 The Making of Appointments in the Public Service 17 1.4 Recruitment Procedures During Holding of General Elections 18 1.5 Letters of Appointment 19 1.6 Concurrent Appointments 22 1.7 Duties 23 1.8 Probation, Confirmation of Appointment and Extension/Termination of Probationary Appointment 24 1.9 Appointment whilst on Maternity and Parental Leave 27 1.10 Officers who qualify for an Appointment whilst they are away from their Public Service duties 27 1.11 Reversion to Former Indefinite Appointment 28 1.12 Calls for Expressions of Interest 29 1.13 Retirement 30 1.14 Notice of Termination of Employment 34 2 Advertisement of Vacancies in the Public Service 41 2.1 Wording of Calls for Applications 42 2.2 Basic Eligibility Requirements 43 2.3 Special Arrangements for Persons with Disability 47 2.4 University Degree as an Eligibility Requirement 50 2.5 Training Requirements 52 2.6 Conduct Requirements 52 2.7 Health Requirements 53 2.8 The Inclusion of Private Work or otherwise 53 2.9 Recruitment Portal and Mobile App 54 2.10 Standard Application Forms 54 2.11 Notifications of Calls for Application 55 2.12 Vacancies with the EU Institutions, Bodies and Agencies 56 3 Progression
    [Show full text]
  • Allocation of Portfolios and Assignment of Responsability for Government Departments and Government Entities
    COF/502/2013 OPM Circular No. 4/2013 OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER Auberge de Castille Valletta VLT 2000 15 March 2013 Permanent Secretaries Directors General Directors Heads of Government Entities ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIOS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES Permanent Secretaries, Directors General, Directors and Heads of Government Entities are requested to note the allocation of portfolios and the assignment of responsibility for the business of the Government of Malta including the administration of Departments of Government as follows: Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Prime Minister: Dr Joseph Muscat KUOM, BCom, BA (Hons), MA(European Studies), PhD (Bristol),MP Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Simplication of Administrative Processes: Dr Michael Farrugia MD MP Cabinet Office Internal Audit and Investigations Public Administration Centre for Development, Research and Training Strategic Policy Coordination Management Efficiency Unit Information Coordination of Planning, Policy and Priorities ¹ Malta Environment and Planning Authority ¹ Government Printing Press ¹ Lands ¹ Land Registry ¹ Joint Office ¹ _______________________ ¹ Responsibility of Parliamentary Secretary Dr Michael Farrugia OPM Circular No 4/2013 – Allocation of Ministerial Portfolios Page 2 of 6 Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto (MEAIM) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto: Mr Louis Grech BA, MA(Oxon), MP Parliamentary
    [Show full text]
  • Destinations Newsletter March 2019
    DESTINATION Gozo Tourism Association Newsletter March 2019 GTA 20th Anniversary th This year the Gozo Tourism Association is celebrating its 20 Anniversary since its setting “Let’s celebrate what up. Infact the Gozo Tourism Association was incepted during a General Meeting held on 11th February, 1999 for all the Gozitan tourism stakeholders and operators. During this we have accomplished, meeting, the members present approved the statute of the Association, and thus a new let’s raise the bar a chapter was initiated in the tourism history of the Island of Gozo. little higher each time Guided by the prime objective, that of promoting Gozo as an all year-round distinct tour- we succeed” ist destination, the Gozo Tourism Association’s achievements during these twenty years were significant, in elevating the regional tourism concerns and aspiration for the atten- tion of the competent authorities. Through the endeavours of the Gozo Tourism Association, the tourist industry on Gozo has achieved a regional voice, created synergy between the private sector and Government. establish- ing a missing link both for the benefit of the tourism on Gozo, as well as for the benefit of the Gozitan tourism stakeholders. To mark this significant date, on Monday 11th February, 2019, the Gozo Tourism Association organised a Tree planting ceremo- ny at the Villa Rundle by the Minister for Gozo, Dr. Justyne Ca- ruana, in the presence of GTA Chairman, Council members and In This Issue officials. GTA 20th Anniversary This event was followed by a Press Conference at the Cittadella Gozo Tourism Awards Cultural Centre, in Victoria which was addressed by the Minister for Gozo, the GTA chairman 2018 Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Statement to the Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (TAX3)
    Statement to the special committee on financial crimes, tax avoidance and tax evasion (TAX3) 11 February 2019 Strasbourg Matthew Caruana Galizia I am a software engineer and data journalist and worked full time for the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, a nonprofit based in Washington, DC, from April 2014 to April 2018. I was responsible for receiving large volumes of leaked data for my employer and making them available to a large network of journalists for investigation, through a secured platform that I built for the purpose with help from my team. The leaked data came from the Luxembourg tax office, HSBC private bank in Switzerland, Singapore-based Portcullis TrustNet, BVI-based Commonwealth Trust Limited (CTL), Panama-based Mossack Fonseca and Bermuda-based Appleby. I received specialised training that allowed me to easily interpret the leaked legal and corporate documents from offshore law firms. As a software engineer I could build the tools that would allow myself and other journalists all over the world to collaborate on an investigation of hundreds of millions of these documents. My mother, Daphne Caruana Galizia, was an independent investigative journalist with thirty years of experience in journalism. She was assassinated in Malta with a bomb placed under the seat of her car on 16 October 2017, while working full time on a journalistic investigation into the illicit activities of JOSEPH MUSCAT, KEITH ALLEN SCHEMBRI, KONRAD MIZZI, KARL CINI, BRIAN TONNA, YORGEN FENECH, Electrogas Malta and the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). Other individuals that she investigated are directly connected to the individuals named above but are party to what I believe to be separate violations that would take many more committee meetings to cover.
    [Show full text]
  • 1.0 Brief Overview of the Facts of the Case. an Analysis Was Carried Out
    1.0 Brief overview of the facts of the case. An analysis was carried out by the FIAU in relation to Dr Konrad MIZZI and his ownership of an offshore trust and company whilst holding political appointment with Maltese Government. The FIAU also refers to a preliminary report submitted to the Malta Police dated 7th April, 2016 bearing reference 474759/16. A more detailed analysis was subsequently carried out the FIAU in terms of the powers conferred to it under Article 16(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (Chapter 373 of the Laws of Malta). Following the analysis of the facts available to the FIAU, together with other information obtained by the FIAU through the powers conferred to it by law, it has been determined that sufficient information is available to conclude that a reasonable suspicion of money laundering or an attempt to launder proceeds of crime subsists in this case. This decision is supported by the relevant facts outlined in this report. 2.0 Details the Natural and Legal Persons Involved 2.1 Name and SURNAME: Konrad MIZZI Date of Birth: 4th November, 1977 Maltese ID card: 521577M Address: Flat 4, 46, Avril, Tigne Street, Sliema, SLM 3011 2.2 Name: ROTORUA TRUST Declaration of Trust Date: 22nd July, 2015 Trustee: Orion Trust New Zealand Limited Settlor: Dr Konrad MIZZI 2.3 Name: HEARNVILLE INC. Company No: 808074 Date of Incorporation: 9th July, 2013 Address: 54th E. Street, Mossfon Building, 2nd Floor, Panama Agets Nae: Bufete MF & Co Ultimate Beneficial Owner: Dr Konrad MIZZI 3.0 Financial Intelligence Analysis 3.1 Information obtained through open sources Open source information indicates that in February 2013, Mr Karl Cini from Nexia BT flew to Panama to meet people from Mossack Fonseca, a renowned Panamanian law firm.
    [Show full text]
  • European Parliament Resolution of 28 March 2019 on The
    26.3.2021 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 108/107 Thursday 28 March 2019 P8_TA(2019)0328 Situation of rule of law and fight against corruption in the EU, specifically in Malta and Slovakia European Parliament resolution of 28 March 2019 on the situation of the rule of law and the fight against corruption in the EU, specifically in Malta and Slovakia (2018/2965(RSP)) (2021/C 108/10) The European Parliament, — having regard to Articles 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), — having regard to Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), — having regard to Articles 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, — having regard to the opinion on questions relating to the appointment of judges of the constitutional court of the Slovak Republic, adopted by the Venice Commission at its 110th Plenary Session (Venice, 10-11 March 2017), — having regard to the opinion on constitutional arrangements and separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary and law enforcement in Malta, adopted by the Venice Commission at its 117th Plenary Session (Venice, 14-15 December 2018), — having regard to the report of 23 January 2019 from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled ‘Investor Citizenship and Residence Schemes in the European Union’ (COM(2019)0012), — having regard to its resolution of 16 January 2014 on EU citizenship for sale (1) and to
    [Show full text]
  • Download Profile
    Daphne Caruana Galizia 16 October 2017 Bidnija, Malta So, even as the country was reeling from the news of her murder, some openly welcomed it. DAPHNE In the aftermath of her death, Caruana Gali- zia’s opponents directed their anger at her family for linking the murder to a weakening in Malta’s rule of law. One theory even held that the family had orchestrated her killing – ostensibly, according to some, to destabilize the government. ‘We were given no time to grieve,’ said Mat- thew Caruana Galizia, the eldest of her three CARUANA sons and part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team of journalists behind the Panama Papers investigation. He is now also a leading figure in an intensified rule-of-law campaign. ‘There was one day, for literally 12 hours, when we just sat at home talking to each other. That was 17 October. And during that time, the gov- ernment was going on the offensive against us GALIZIA and against my mother. That’s when we real- ized we couldn’t let things be, or there would definitely be no justice.’ Justice has become a watchword since then. On 16 October 2017, Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed Three men have been arrested and charged by a powerful car bomb minutes after leaving her home. with executing the murder. They’re pleading Caruana Galizia was Malta’s best-known and most innocent and have yet to face trial. Meanwhile, widely read journalist – and also its most divisive. Her the suspected masterminds remain at large. investigations routinely set the national agenda.
    [Show full text]
  • The Development of the Malta Constitution 1813-1849
    Source: Melita Historica : Journal of the Malta Historical Society. 1(1952)1(7-18) [p.7] The Development of the Malta Constitution 1813-1849 Hilda I. Lee (Lecture delivered to the Malta Historical Society, on the 26th September 1951 by Miss Hilda I. Lee, M.A., Assistant-Lecturer in International History at the London School of Economics.) In considering the origins and early development of the Malta constitution, it is necessary to be aware, in the first instance, of those other factors which are inextricably interwoven in the historical pattern of the period. The constitution cannot be seen simply as a politico-legal institution; reference must be made to the general Colonial policy to which Britain was committed at the time, to the character of the Colonial Secretary, to the power and influence of his permanent officials in the Colonial Office, to the personality and policy of the Governor and his officials, to the economic and social conditions on the island which they governed, to the degree of political education of the Maltese people; and over and above all these factors, providing as it were the framework into which they must all conform, the historian must be aware of the essential character of the island as a strategic base. A study of the Malta constitution, therefore, presents a task which is complex and fascinating. I can only hope to indicate, in the time at my disposal, some of these factors, and of the way in which they have affected the development of the constitution. In the period following the Napoleonic Wars, Britain’s Colonial policy was conditioned by three main factors.
    [Show full text]
  • Malta: International Organisations Concerned by Appearance of Political Interference Into the Investigation of the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia
    Malta: International organisations concerned by appearance of political interference into the investigation of the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia 26 November 2019 We, the undersigned organisations, reiterate that the investigation into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia must be independent and impartial. We remind Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat that there must be no political interference in the investigation. In the last week a number of important, overdue developments have taken place in relation to the investigation into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia including the arrest of Yorgen Fenech, the former head of the Electrogas Malta energy company, as a person of interest in the murder and Melvin Theuma, the suspected middleman. Since Fenech’s arrest on 20 November, Malta’s Prime Minister Muscat has been the main source of information in relation to the progress of the investigation including whether pardons will be given to suspects in exchange for evidence. The Police Commissioner and the Attorney General have been absent from communications with the public and press. We are concerned that the Prime Minister, by placing himself at the centre of the investigation, raises the spectre of undue executive interference in the investigation. This is particularly so given the vested financial interests between Fenech and the Prime Minister’s current chief of staff Keith Schembri and cabinet minister Konrad Mizzi relating to the company, 17 Black. The financial interests of Muscat’s cabinet present the serious possibility of a conflict of interest for the Prime Minister with regard to the investigation. These concerns are intensified by Malta’s well- documented weak separation of powers as outlined in recent reports of the Venice Commission and the PACE Legal Affairs Committee.
    [Show full text]