‘A deterrent against autocracy’

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca highlighted the importance of the rule of law as a “deterrent against autocracy and the abuse of power” in her Republic Day address. She reiterated her call for urgent constitutional reform and warned against drug legalisation. The President described 2017 as a year of economic success and advances in civil rights, but one marred by the brutal murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and a general election defined by “unbridled partisanship at its worst”.

What made the headlines

Malta among worst hit in case of EU tax success: Malta’s economy and particularly its thriving financial services sector will suffer a big blow should the European Commission get its way on the introduction of new corporate tax rules, according to a new study. Compiled by senior economists for the UK-based NGO Tax Justice Network, the study shows Malta will see its income from tax arrangements deriving from subsidiaries of multinationals registered in the country decline by more than half and, in some cases, slashed by two-thirds.

President facing six lawsuits over Paqpaqli incident: President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, members of her secretariat and organisers of the ill-fated 2015 Paqpaqi fund-raising activity, mostly volunteers, are facing six lawsuits for claims of damages from victims of the incident, the Times of Malta revealed. The lawsuits were filed following a refusal by the President to accept any blame or responsibility for the incident, in response to judicial letters calling for the settlement of damages filed by victims earlier this year.

New Allied Newspapers chairman: Paul Mercieca was elected chairman of Allied Newspapers Ltd at the 68th Annual General Meeting of the company. Prior to retiring in December 2013, Mr Mercieca was the chief executive officer of Deloitte Malta.

Whistleblower tells MEPs of Egrant and PM’s wife: On Monday, MEPs who recently came to Malta to investigate the state of the rule of law heard Maria Efimova – a former Pilatus Bank official – reiterate claims that the Prime Minister’s wife is the beneficiary owner of Egrant, a Panama-based company. In a closed-door, hour-long session in Strasbourg, Ms Efimova – who fled Malta after the last general election – replied to questions from MEPs through a videoconference from an unnamed location. She also passed on various documents to MEPs to support her claims.

Gymnast awarded €463,465 in damages: A former gymnast who was crushed under lighting equipment that collapsed during an open-air party in Qawra nine years ago was awarded €463,465 in damages in a civil lawsuit. Ukrainian-born Vladyslava Kravchenko, who was just 17 at the time of the accident, ended up wheelchair-bound on account of her grievous injuries, which left her with a 75 per cent permanent disability.

‘UK lawyers undermined rule of law in Malta’: Advice given by British law firm Doughty Street Chambers to the Caruana Galizia family “undermined the rule of law, as it constituted an attack upon the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, which lies at the heart of the sovereignty of law”, Mr Justice Silvio Meli said. He made his remarks at the first hearing related to a case instituted by the family to have Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta removed from the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder.

Malta spared tax haven label: Malta was narrowly spared being labelled a tax haven in the final report submitted by the Panama Papers inquiry committee. An amendment submitted by Socialist MEPs calling on the European Commission to regard Malta, Luxembourg, Ireland and the Netherlands as tax havens was defeated during a plenary vote. The European People’s Party, of which the PN forms a part, said Maltese people who abided by the rules should not bear the brunt because of the “illicit” activities by Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and the PM’s chief of staff, Keith Schembri. All Maltese MEPs voted against the amendment.

Italian police uncover Mafia plan to infiltrate Malta’s gaming industry: An investigation by the anti-Mafia police in Sicily related to illegal gambling on horse races in Palermo uncovered “advanced plans” by Mafia clans to relocate their underground activities through online gaming companies in Malta, the Times of Malta revealed.

Daphne murder court case stalled: Court proceedings against the three men accused of murdering journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia were stalled after a magistrate decided she could not hear the case. The compilation of evidence against brothers Alfred Degiorgio (Il-Fulu) and George Degiorgio (Iċ-Ċiniz) and Vince Muscat (il-Koħħu) was suspended on the opening day after Magistrate Donnatella Frendo Dimech decided her acquaintance with a member of the Caruana Galizia family could potentially impinge on the case and her perceived impartiality.

What trended

Opinion divided on drug trafficker

This week was all about William Agius and his prison sentence for drug trafficking – 14 years after he committed the crime.

The sentence divided opinion – some howled at the perceived injustice and others were furious at what they felt was the special treatment reserved for the man.

“They should have sentenced him 14 years ago when he was caught up in that mess,” wrote one reader. “Fourteen years later is not justice.”

Another argued that, all things considered, Mr Agius hadn’t done too badly: “Drug trafficking 2,000 ecstasy pills within 100 metres of a school,” they noted. “What do people expect? In the eyes of the law, the magistrate had his/her hands tied.”

Others were less forgiving: “Ask the parents whose kids have suffered because of the drugs he sold them,” wrote another, shortly before another reader argued Mr Agius seemed to be riding Peppi Azzopardi’s coattails.

“What about those who, like William, managed to reform themselves but don’t have the means or courage to appear on Xarabank?” they asked. “What do we do about them?”

Male domestic violence

An article about a male victim of domestic violence got plenty of traction, though not all of it was entirely sober and level-headed.

One reader’s conclusion that “men should never trust a wo-man” says it all. 

Others took a more measured approach to the story.

“Unfortunately men tend to use violence more often than women and this is  unacceptable, but women use other methods,” wrote one reader.

Another argued that people who used the case to bash feminism had the wrong end of the stick: “Feminism is about every victim,” they wrote. “Every person who wants to protect everyone from domestic violence must support feminism.”

One voice of reason stood out, calling for a measure of moderation: “Some women are the incarnation of the devil,” he wrote. “Others are as honest as the saintliest of saints. So let’s avoid ignorant collective state-ments and make well-thought judgements instead.”

What they said

“Not only have foreign companies not left but more have come, and this is just a drop in the ocean of the investment that is yet to come.”

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat addressing Labour supporters in Santa Luċija, where he rubbished the Opposition’s prediction of economic fallout after the election.

“Millions of people globally took to the streets since Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem, because Palestinian people cannot fight alone.”

Moviment Graffiti spokesperson André Callus speaking during a ‘gathering of solidarity’ with the Palestinian people after American President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“The Constitution is as strong as the people’s knowledge of it, making it their living legal, moral and ethical guide and feeling ownership over it.”

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca speaking on the need for constitutional reform in her annual Republic Day address.

“It is the Prime Minister and his inner circle who, should this motion be approved and its content implemented, will be running scared.”

Nationalist MP Chris Said writing in the Times of Malta about his presentation in Parliament of a motion asking for a board of inquiry to be appointed to look into allegations made by Daphne Caruana Galizia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Newspapers are attracting more readers than ever.”

Canadian professor Marc Edge giving a lecture at the University of Malta in which he insisted that the newspaper industry will continue to thrive in spite of online media.