Thread by @bugdavem

In summary, the Maltese constitutional setup places the prime minister & gov in a ridiculously powerful & central position. Then a ginger megalomaniac came along together with his St Aloysius pals & a gangly chap and the rest is history. independent.com.mt/articles/2018-…

We can put this in context by mapping out what in effect was a coup or planned takeover:

1. 12 March 2013 - Muscat appoints his best friend as Chief of Staff, Keith Schembri. Concerns were raised about the high risk of conflicts of interest given his business involvements. Concerns not heeded.
maltatoday.com.mt/news/elections…

2. 13 March 2013 - All “permanent” secretaries ie the heads of the supposedly apolitical civil service are asked to resign. Civil Service capture started. Concerns not heeded. timesofmalta.com/mobile/article…

3. 26 March, 2013 - Muscat’s ex-deputy Anglu Farrugia is appointed as Speaker of Parliament. This is the same person who signed off on Azeri elections as “free & democratic” at a time when the opposition was thrown in jail & the results were leaked before daphnecaruanagalizia.com/2013/03/malta-…

4. 3 April, 2013 - The Chairman of Malta’s largest bank (25% state owned but with option to appoint executive chair) is replaced without even a stock exchange announcement. Bank captured. Concerns not heeded.

timesofmalta.com/mobile/article…

5. 12 April, 2013 - The Police Commissioner is replaced (the prior one wanted to arraign John Dalli). Police capture started. Concerns not heeded.
timesofmalta.com/mobile/article…

6. 24 April, 2013 - public broadcaster board changed. Public broadcaster captured. Concerns not heeded. timesofmalta.com/mobile/article…

7. - 30 September, 2013 - Muscat removes the head of the army and later appoints his family friend as Brigadier after a double promotion. Army capture started.
tvm.com.mt/mt/news/brigad…
independent.com.mt/articles/2013-…

By December 2013 @JosephMuscat_JM had effectively captured the Police, Army, Parliament (both through a super majority & a sock puppet Speaker), civil service, public broadcaster and a number of state authorities.

That’s in the space of just 9 months

It doesn’t even include “persons of trust” & other “iced buns” (which in reality is appointment of loyal stooges) as well as mass recruitment of loyalists into the Police & Army:

maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/…

timesofmalta.com/mobile/article…

So when you read reports about the rule of law & constitutional failings understand that they only become relevant or an issue once a tyrant tries a take over or capture of the organs of the state.

Like Muscat did. With no resistance & an applause or two.

The last remaining frontier is the Courts and that is well underway.