Malta's Rule of Law Status Declines, Report Raises Concerns Over Prime Minister's Actions
· Updated
In brief
- Malta's rule of law has been downgraded from stagnating to actively declining, according to a new report.
- The assessment was made by a European civil liberties network and local and international experts.
- Concerns were raised specifically about Prime Minister Robert Abela's public comments regarding judges and journalists.
A recent assessment by a leading European civil liberties network, along with local and international experts, indicates a decline in Malta's rule of law. The country's status has reportedly worsened, moving from a state of stagnation to one where democratic standards are actively decreasing.
This comprehensive report highlights several areas of concern regarding the state of democracy and legal safeguards in Malta. The findings suggest that previous efforts to improve the rule of law have not been sufficient, and the situation has deteriorated further.
Specifically, the report calls out Prime Minister Robert Abela for his public statements. It notes that his repeated attacks on judges and journalists are a particular point of worry, contributing to the overall decline in democratic standards.
The report's conclusions underscore the need for immediate attention to these issues to reverse the negative trend and strengthen Malta's democratic institutions and legal framework.
The Spin Room
Medium media divide. Newsbook reported the general decline in rule of law, while The Shift News focused on the Prime Minister's specific actions as a contributing factor.
- Newsbook: Focused on the overall downgrade of Malta's rule of law status from stagnation to decline, citing a European civil liberties network.
- The Shift News: Emphasised that the Prime Minister was explicitly mentioned in the report for his public attacks on judges and journalists, linking his actions to the decline.