PN Calls Robert Abela A ‘Bully’; PL Calls Alex Borg ‘Dishonest’

The government’s nomination for Chief Justice failed to secure parliamentary approval on Wednesday, falling short of the required two thirds majority.

The motion, tabled by Prime Minister Robert Abela, received 39 votes in favour and 34 against, leaving Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera without the appointment.

Prime Minister Abela, Opposition Leader Alex Borg, and Justice Minister Jonathan Attard all addressed the House during the proceedings.

Following the vote, the Labour Party accused Opposition Leader Alex Borg of being dishonest.

The party noted that Borg “did not deny that he was supporting the nomination” of Dr Consuelo Scerri Herrera during discussions with Prime Minister Abela and said his conduct in parliament showed he was not being honest with his parliamentary group.

The PL added that Borg’s decision to oppose the nomination was “dictated by extremist forces” still influencing the Nationalist Party.

The Nationalist Party responded by branding Prime Minister Abela a “bully,” saying that the process had humiliated the nominee and that the appointment of a Chief Justice is not an opportunity for political calculations.

Borg stated that the Prime Minister should have pursued national unity and cross-party consultation, urging him to “abandon this kind of politics” and “build bridges” rather than walls.

He added that the vote by the Nationalist parliamentary group was made “out of respect for the judiciary” and that any perceived crisis was political, caused by Abela’s approach, rather than constitutional.

#MaltaDaily