The Opposition is to present a motion of no confidence in home affairs minister Manuel Mallia. The Opposition chose to take this step after the Prime Minister did not take any action against the minister after his driver, last week, was involved in a shooting incident after a car clipped the side mirror of the minister's car.
Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil announced the motion of no confidence this evening, during a press conference delivered immediately after the Prime Minister gave his address on the budget for 2015.
This morning, The Malta Independent revealed that the lawyer representing the driver is Dr Arthur Azzopardi, who forms part of Emmanuel Mallia & Associates. Asked by this newspaper on whether this is a conflict of interest, Dr Busuttil replied, "This continues to show that it is all a bit mess. Everyone is defending the other. It is unacceptable that this lawyer should even be involved in this case. Where are the standards? This continues to show how much we still have to learn about this case. Someone needs to shoulder the responsibility, and no inquiry will do that. The political responsibility can only be shouldered by the Prime Minister, who has completely lost his moral authority."
"As the government is weak confronting such case, the Nationalist Party will take matters in his own hands. This government has lost its moral authority. The behaviour of the cabinet is scandalous, unacceptable." Tonight, the Prime Minister has failed to mention "the scandals I spoke about yesterday, apart from one - that of Manuel Mallia, and he has chosen to strongly defend the Home Affairs Minister. Does Dr Mallia has that much power in government?" Dr Busuttil asked. "Manuel Mallia should not remain the person responsible for our security."
Yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition made reference to scandals involving Labour MP Luciano Busuttil and ministers Helena Dalli, Owen Bonnici, Konrad Mizzi, Joe Mizzi and Chris Cardona. Dr Muscat made reference to none of these cases today.
Making reference to tonight's speech by the Prime Minister, Dr Busuttil said that Dr Muscat took a defensive approach. "If one had to truly evaluate his speech today, with all the theatrics and non-verbal communication, what is he left with?" In two hours, Dr Muscat failed to mention the economy, and his plan for improving it. He has also failed to mention the most important pre-electoral pledge, that of the new power station. "We still have no update on when works will start, and most importantly, when they will finish. The least we've expected is some updates on this."
He added that Dr Muscat has failed to mention those who are set to be negatively impacted by added taxes - particularly the elderly and students. Caritas research revealed that a basic weekly purchase from the grocery today costs €81. This, contrary to the €50 cost, two years ago.
Asked about the honoraria which were to be returned by former Nationalist Ministers, Dr Busuttil said that all has been paid back. A statement dated 6 January 2012 reveals this much, he said.
In reply, the government said that the Opposition decided to present the motion of no confidence because it is in panic mode after it realised its inability to respond to the budget.
The Opposition wants to be the prosecutor, judge and jury on the Manuel Mallia case, the government said.