BRUSSELS — The European Parliament on Thursday agreed to send a mission to Malta to probe its respect for the rule of law after the prime minister’s former chief of staff was arrested as part of an investigation into the murder of a journalist. An EU Parliament official confirmed a “fact-finding” mission would go to the island as soon as possible. It has done so against Hungary last year over media and judicial reforms put forward by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. “Questions around the independence of the judicial system and severe allegations of corruption at the highest levels means that a European Parliament mission to Malta is now essential,” said Greens lawmaker Sven Giegold. The Parliament has also decided to discuss recent developments in Malta at its next plenary sitting in mid-December.

Source: National Post November 28, 2019 12:00 UTC