The Venice Commission report is a clear condemnation of the Joseph Muscat government by another international institution, Opposition Leader Adrian Delia said. But, once again, the government is attempting to turn a condemnation into a best practice certificate, and this in spite of the Venice Commission manifestly condemns the way the government hijacked power away from the country’s institutions.

The PM now aims to start a reform and take away more of institutions’ powers, whose role is to defend the people and, again, this is happening in spite of the commission’s recommendation for better checks and balances, Delia said in a statement.

On Monday, Muscat said the government intends to implement the Venice Commission proposals, calling the recommendations a valuable contribution to the legal and constitutional reform. He said that the government, in general, agrees with the proposals, and that they will consult and implement accordingly.

The Council of Europe's Venice Commission has adopted an opinion which finds that the power of the Prime Minister in Malta widely overshadows other government bodies, including the President, Parliament, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Judiciary and the Ombudsman.

The commission’s conclusions slam the way the government is appointed its own yes-men in sensitive places, choosing Labour militants while pushing aside more competent people. There is a great need for a close examination of how the institutions are operating so as to really strengthen the country’s democracy and reputation.

These conclusions are similar to what the PN has been saying all along. The prime minister is wresting power away from institutions so as to have better control to the detriment of the rule of law. The commission makes it clear that the PM is the centre of power, while the President, Parliament, Cabinet of Ministers, the judiciary and Ombudsman are weak are not in a position to function properly. The Attorney General, the commission says, has too many hats.

If Joseph Muscat truly believes in the rule of law, he should immediately implement what the commission is recommending, Delia said.

This includes, Delia said, the appointment of judges and magistrates via independent means, and not by the PM; that the Attorney General’s offices loses double roles and a general prosecutor’s office is set up; that the President no longer acts on what the prime minister says; that the role of MPs is strengthened and that MPs on the government side are not bought by public appointments and that the PM no longer has control on positions of trust.