PN to table a Motion in Parliament containing a number of legislative measures to implement the recommendations of the Public Inquiry

The Partit Nazzjonalista will present a Motion in Parliament containing a number of legislative measures to implement the recommendations made by the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The proposed legislation, known as an “Omnibus Bill”, will be presented when Parliament reconvenes following the summer recess. It will contain 10 key reforms and comes just days after the Government, following the verdict in the trial concerning the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, refused to debate a Motion calling for the recommendations of the Public Inquiry to be implemented by the end of October.

The announcement was made during a discussion held this evening in Parliament between a Nationalist Opposition delegation led by Opposition and Partit Nazzjonalista Leader Alex Borg and key stakeholders, NGOs and civil society organisations on the current state of the country and the implementation of the Public Inquiry recommendations.

The meeting was intended to provide an open space for reflection and discussion on the situation facing the country today, the concerns and challenges it faces, and the priorities that need to be addressed at this time.

Representatives attending the meeting included the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA), Malta Employers, the GWU, The Malta Chamber, the Chamber of SMEs, UĦM Voice of the Workers, MEIA, the Gozo Business Chamber, the MHRA, CMTU, PEN Malta, Repubblika, Ramblers’ Association of Malta, KSU, SDM, KNŻ, SOS Malta, Kopin, Friends of the Earth Malta and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA).

Accompanied by Partit Nazzjonalista Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione and Shadow Minister for Justice Joe Giglio, Alex Borg said that the Bill brings together a number of amendments which the PN believes should be incorporated into Maltese law. He insisted that the objective of these reforms must be to restore trust both in politicians generally and in the country’s institutions.

The PN Leader stressed that, in the coming months, the Party will focus strongly on two crucial priorities: a holistic reform process beginning with this Omnibus Bill, and ensuring justice in connection with the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Alex Borg said that nine years after the assassination, despite the investigations and the trial that have taken place, whoever commissioned the murder has still not been held accountable. He described this as a deeply concerning situation not only for Malta but also for the rest of Europe. The PN Leader said Malta must continue to be regarded as a strong and exemplary European state, adding that this chapter can only begin to be brought to a close once the necessary reforms are implemented and justice is served.

Partit Nazzjonalista Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione said the country is facing “a moment of national impact and consequence that goes far beyond party politics”. He said that what emerged during the trial exposed a serious and troubling reality and had affected public confidence in the institutions. Alex Perici Calascione insisted that no one could reasonably believe that, after everything that had emerged, the country could simply continue with “business as usual”. He said that concern was also being felt among people with no particular affiliation or sympathy towards the Partit Nazzjonalista. Restoring trust, he argued, requires institutions led with integrity and concrete reforms that guarantee the proper functioning of the Rule of Law.

Shadow Minister for Justice Joe Giglio focused on the legislative amendments being proposed by the PN to implement the recommendations of the Public Inquiry. He recalled the Motion presented in Parliament seeking recognition that their implementation is a duty of the State. Joe Giglio said these measures are intended not only to strengthen the Rule of Law, but also to help Malta regain its credibility. He stressed that this is not yet the final version of the legislation, which is precisely why the meeting was held: to discuss the proposed reforms and allow social partners to provide input and suggest improvements where appropriate.

The proposed changes in the Bill discussed with those present are intended to strengthen the Rule of Law, increase accountability within the public administration, provide the authorities with stronger tools to combat corruption and organised crime, and reinforce the legal and constitutional protection of journalism and public participation on matters of public interest.

The 10 areas covered are:

1. Constitutional duties of government

The first measure amends the Constitution to clearly establish a number of fundamental duties that every government must observe when exercising public power.

2. Constitutional framework for a caretaker government

The second measure introduces into the Constitution a clear framework governing how a government should act during the period between the dissolution of Parliament and the formation of a new government following a general election.

3. Specific offence of obstruction of justice

The third measure amends the Criminal Code to create specific offences covering attempts to obstruct or unlawfully influence the administration of justice.

4. Criminal liability for public officials who deliberately fail to perform their duties

The fourth measure introduces criminal consequences for public officials who, without valid justification, refuse or fail to carry out a duty connected with their office.

5. Unauthorised use of electronic means by public officials

The fifth measure creates a new offence concerning the use of unofficial or unauthorised electronic resources by public officials or employees in the performance of their duties.

6. Participation in a mafia-type criminal association

The sixth measure introduces into Maltese criminal law a specific offence relating to participation in a mafia-type criminal association. Membership in such an organisation, consisting of three or more persons, would itself become a criminal offence, with higher penalties for those who promote, organise or lead it.

7. Unexplained wealth orders

The seventh measure amends the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to introduce unexplained wealth orders. At the request of the Attorney General, the Criminal Court would be empowered to require a person to explain what interest they have in particular property, how they acquired it and, where necessary, to produce documentation relating to it.

8. New offence of abuse of public authority

The eighth measure creates a specific criminal offence of abuse of public authority by public officials and employees. It would apply where an official breaches a specific legal rule governing a function in circumstances where the law allows no discretion.

9. Constitutional protection for free and independent journalism

The ninth measure substantially strengthens the constitutional recognition and protection of journalism and freedom of the press. The Bill would also strengthen Article 41 of the Constitution on freedom of expression and specifically recognise the right to free and independent journalism.

10. Stronger protection against SLAPP proceedings

The tenth measure addresses so-called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, or SLAPPs – legal proceedings that are used, or have the effect of, intimidating, burdening or silencing journalists, activists or other people participating in debate on matters of public interest. The Bill would amend the Media and Defamation Act so that, when a Court is determining whether it was reasonable for a defendant to believe that a publication was in the public interest, it must take into account both editorial judgement and the importance of allowing individuals to participate in public debate without fear of legal action.

11.09.2026