Robert Abela Hijacks Another Institution, PN Says After Appointment Of Standards Commissioner
Prime Minister Robert Abela has hijacked yet another institution, the Nationalist Party said while reacting to the appointment of the new Standards Commissioner.
Reacting to yesterday’s vote which appointed former judge Joseph Azzopardi as the new Standards Commissioner, he was elected with a high majority, while the PN voted against.
“With the appointment of Joseph Azzopardi as Commissioner for Standards in Public Life with a simple majority, Robert Abela has taken another institution under his control,” the PN said in a statement.
“Instead of seeking an agreement with the Opposition regarding the appointment of a person who has the confidence of both sides, as was done in the past for this position and for other positions, Robert Abela changed the law to impose his decision,” it continued.
“This means that for the first time in the history of Malta, a position that was agreed to be appointed by two-thirds could now be appointed by his choice only.”
“This is another decision that continues to undermine democracy in our country and it is the last of a series of decisions by which Abela hijacked the institutions of our country so that instead of defending the interests of Maltese and Gozitan citizens, they defend his and Joseph Muscat’s interests,” it claimed.
The country has not had a Standards Commissioner since lawyer George Hyzler was appointed as a representative on the European Court of Auditors.
Since then, the law was altered to allow a simple majority if an agreement is not reached in the first two votes.
What do you make of the Nationalist Party’s statement?
READ NEXT: Temp Aktar Primaverili: Spring Is Already Round The Corner As Maltese Air Gets Warmer
