The Nationalist Party is calling for the resignation of Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri.
It is saying that entities that fall under his responsibility have been embroiled in scandals that have led to a magisterial investigation. Camilleri, the PN says, is politically responsible, and should therefore quit. If he does not do so, the PM should dismiss him.
The inquiries that the PN is referring to are those related to the alleged issuing of fake identity cards by the Identita' agency, and the alleged transfer of drivers' penalty points onto tourists long departed from the country, a scandal that involves another agency within Camilleri's portfolio, LESA.
Both are serious issues which are deeply worrying. To think that there are people who are registered under one's home address - so much so that mail is received - is of great concern. It is also upsetting that a scheme was allegedly set up to free misbehaving drivers of penalty points which could cost them their driving licence.
We will know more when the inquiries are concluded, hopefully in the shortest time possible.
It is not a surprise that the party in opposition, in this case, calls for the minister's resignation. We see it time and again that people who hold political responsibility - even if they are unaware of the goings-on - should be held accountable.
In Malta, we do not often see resignations, much less of ministers. And we are not holding our breath with regard to Byron Camilleri. He does not see what has happened as being enough for him to resign, and neither does Prime Minister Robert Abela consider the damage big enough to let go of one of his ministers.
So far, there is nothing new - on the one hand, we have an Opposition that calls for the resignation of a minister on the grounds that he should be held politically accountable for all that takes place under his umbrella; on the other hand, the minister, with the support of his superior, holds on to his position.
What is different, in this case, is the weak response of the Labour Party to what the Opposition is saying.
Last Wednesday, the Nationalist Party held a press conference outside the minister's office, during which MPs Darren Carabott and Claudette Buttigieg outlined the grievances they feel should lead to the minister's resignation. They mentioned the two magisterial inquiries which have been launched. They mentioned the scandals which have hit Camilleri's ministry.
The Labour Party was quick to issue a response to the PN's event. But its terse content simply mentioned the work being carried out by the government and Camilleri to strengthen the police corps.
The PL said nothing about the magisterial inquiries. Nor did it at least attempt to say there was no direct involvement of the minister in what has been alleged about Identita' and LESA. It was as if the press statement was issued just for the sake of putting it on record that the PL was responding to the PN's attack, but its content did nothing to improve the minister's image, and neither did it help his reputation.