Edward Scicluna will not resign as central bank governor despite trial

Malta’s former finance minister, Edward Scicluna, who is set to stand trial for fraudulent proceeds in relation to the Vitals hospitals PPP, has insisted he will not resign as central bank governor until he is found guilty.

Scicluna to stand trial Suspected of leading a privatization that turned out to be fraudulent, accused of negligence Three state hospitals.

But he told The Times on Thursday morning he would not resign as central bank governor: “I will abide by the EU treaties. We (the central bank) are an independent institution. We have our own rules,” he said.

Scicluna insisted that neither the government nor the opposition could force him to resign.

Scicluna’s duties are governed by the EU Treaties and the ECB’s Statutes, which protect the autonomy of the central bank president.

“EU rules are clear for every European councillor. A councillor is only asked to resign if he or she is found guilty. With all due respect, I will not succumb to pressure from Bernard Grech,” Scicluna said, referring to the opposition leader.

Grech has called on Prime Minister Robert Abela to ensure Scicluna is removed from the central bank.

Scicluna was appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Malta on 1 January 2021 for a five-year term and also serves as a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank.

He also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority’s Board of Governors, a position held at the discretion of the Prime Minister, who may appoint a member of the Board who is unable to perform his duties due to infirmity or misconduct.