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Ministers were tight-lipped about discussing Eduardo Scicluna’s refusal to resign as central bank governor during a cabinet meeting in Castile on Tuesday.
Cabinet members declined to comment when contacted by reporters, saying only that a statement would be released by the prime minister’s office. It was not clear whether the prime minister’s office had made a decision.
The cabinet must discuss a proposal by Prime Minister Robert Abela to remove Scicluna from office, but the move is considered legally questionable.
On their way in, Ministers are cautious about their stance on the issue Some pointed to Abela’s public comments that Scicluna should step down. Housing Minister Rodric Galdes was the only one to praise Scicluna.
The cabinet meeting started at around 10 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m.
Scicluna has been under pressure to resign after a magistrate ruled last week that there was enough prima facie evidence to stand trial in the Vitals corruption case. The court ruled that all those charged, including former deputy prime minister Chris Fearn, should stand trial.
Fein had resigned from the Cabinet when the charges were first laid, and last week he also announced his resignation as deputy leader of parliamentary affairs for the Labour Party when the court confirmed he should stand trial.
Scicluna, who has rejected calls from the prime minister, opposition parties and civil society groups for his resignation, was removed from the Malta Financial Services Authority board by the government on Friday. Abela said in an interview He hopes Scicluna will resign before Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.
Scicluna insisted the central bank was autonomous and no one could remove him from office unless he was found guilty.
A cabinet decision to force him out would be unprecedented.
Meanwhile, the government rejected a request by opposition leader Bernard Grech to urgently convene parliament to discuss Scicluna’s refusal to step down.
on Monday, Grech told MCESD’s social partners The parliamentary debate on the Scicluna impasse could have been an opportunity for the government and opposition to show unity.
Also read: MaltaToday Editorial | Why Edward Scicluna should step down
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