The EU anti-corruption report has just been published.
This report has a Malta annex which in its concluding paragraph points out that the following issues require further attention:
1) Introducing disclosure obligations and caps on political donations, a ban on anonymous donations beyond a reasonable threshold, publication of independently audited party accounts, and monitoring by the Electoral Commission of compliance with the transparency requirements. [a White Paper on the financing of political parties was published by the Maltese Government practically simultaneously with the EU anti-corruption report]
2) Defining clear standard procedures and rules on the distribution of cases of alleged corruption among the competent anti-corruption institutions. Improving coordination among these institutions to optimise the collection of evidence. Prioritising the effective investigation and prosecution of corruption and, should the Permanent Commission against Corruption (PCAC) be retained, widening its remit, and empowering it to appoint its own specialists.
3) Strengthen the ability of the judiciary to handle corruption cases by revising the appointment and dismissal procedures for judges to ensure transparent and merit-based selection and removal, and enforcing decisions of the Commission for the Administration of Justice that find a breach of the Code of Ethics for the Judiciary.
4) Continuing reforms at the Malta Environmental Planning Authority (MEPA) to further build public confidence in its integrity and impartiality.
Blog ta' Carmel Cacopardo 