Malta’s Corruption Crisis: The Island Nation Slumps to Record Lows in Global Rankings

Malta has taken a devastating hit as Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) reveals that the island nation has plummeted to new depths of corruption. With a score of 51 out of 100, Malta is now ranked alongside Saudi Arabia and Rwanda in terms of perceived corruption.

The Shocking Drop

According to CPI, a score of 100 represents a very clean system, while 0 indicates total corruption. Malta’s drop of three points in just one year has left experts stunned, with the country now closer to Colombia (43) than it is to the European average (66).

The Labour Government Under Fire

The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Robert Abela, has been accused of fostering an environment that encourages and protects corruption. The failure to implement recommendations from the Caruana Galizia Inquiry, which investigated the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, has been cited as a major factor in Malta’s decline.

Political Interference in Public Media

Transparency International highlighted political interference in public media as a significant contributor to Malta’s corruption problem. The national broadcaster, PBS, has been accused of being heavily controlled by the Labour government, with some even suggesting that it is used as a tool for propaganda and intimidation.

Court Proceedings Raise Concerns

The latest court proceedings in the Melvin Theuma case, which involves allegations of corruption and murder linked to former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, have raised further concerns about Malta’s ability to tackle high-level corruption. The prosecution failed to provide any new evidence against accused officials Keith Schembri and Sandro Craus, with Prosecuting Officer Nicholas Vella admitting that the AG’s Office had not even bothered to check testimonies from previous witnesses.

Outrage from Maltese Citizens

This lack of action has been met with outrage from many Maltese citizens, who are demanding justice and accountability. As Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index reveals, Malta is now a country where corruption is rampant and those in power are shielded from accountability.

A Long Way to Go

As the country struggles to come to terms with its new reality, one thing is clear: Malta’s corruption crisis is not going away anytime soon, and it will take significant reforms and action to restore trust and credibility.