Opposition Leader Adrian Delia has asked President George Vella to step in and address the “constitutional imbalance” that has been created by the PM’s absolute power over the country’s institutions.
The meeting was held at San Anton Palace on Friday afternoon, after President Vella accepted Adrian Delia’s request.
Sources said Delia spoke to President Vella about the control that the Prime Minister has over the institutions, arguing that this was leading to a constitutional “imbalance.”
Delia also expressed concern at the Prime Minister’s apparent involvement in the police investigation into 17 Black owner Yorgen Fenech. The PM has been criticised for giving updates to the press - a duty that should be carried out by the Police Commissioner.
This, Delia told the President, should not happen, especially in a case where the two of the PM’s closest government colleagues – Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi – are implicated.
The Opposition Leader asked the President, as the guardian of the constitution, to see what powers he has to ensure that the will of the people is respected and that justice and truth prevail.
The Prime Minister, Delia said, should not use his powers to steamroll over the people, not only in this case but in general.
On Thursday, Delia accused the PM of becoming an accomplice to Mizzi and Schembri by refusing to take action against them. Muscat, he said, is protecting people who broke the law and failed the Maltese people.
He also questioned why the PM had taken no action after the latter said he had known certain facts about the murder case for two years but held back from commenting.
The Opposition Leader said Malta currently has an illegitimate government that lacks moral and political strength.
In comments on the social media, Delia said the Prime Minister was trying to take on responsibilities that do not fall under his remit while ignoring those responsibilities that do.
“The PM is not the Police Commissioner. He is not the AFM commander. He is not the Attorney General. But over the last few hours, the PM spoke as he was taking ownership of the work carried out by these institutions. On the other hand he is refusing to shoulder the political responsibility.”
He appealed to the PM to keep away from the things that do not fall under his remit.
The President, separately, also held a meeting with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.