Robert Abela Blocks Public Access to His Assets

Prime Minister Robert Abela has once again obstructed The Shift’s request for access to the ministerial declarations of assets for 2023. Despite publicly stating in Parliament on 20 January that these records were already available, the documents remain undisclosed, raising concerns about governmental transparency and accountability.

Following the Prime Minister’s failure to table the 2023 declarations, The Shift formally requested a copy from Cabinet Secretary Ryan Spagnol. However, Spagnol did not respond to the request, even after multiple reminders, including direct appeals to the Prime Minister himself.

Under the Manual of Cabinet Procedures, the release of these asset declarations requires the Prime Minister’s consent. According to sources, Abela has withheld this approval, further delaying public scrutiny.

Freedom of Information Request Denied

To obtain the documents through formal channels, The Shift filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for a copy of the declarations. Abela, however, blocked this request, stating:

“The declarations are made for their scrutiny by the Prime Minister. Also, the Manual of Cabinet Procedures regulates the procedure and publication of these declarations. This is also reflected in a ruling by the Speaker.”

In response, The Shift submitted a complaint under the FOI Act, arguing that both the Cabinet Manual and the Speaker’s ruling explicitly state that these asset declarations should be made publicly available, as has been customary in previous years.

The Importance of Asset Declarations

Asset declarations serve as a crucial mechanism for ensuring good governance. They allow public oversight of ministers’ financial holdings, preventing potential conflicts of interest and undisclosed wealth accumulation.

When ministers openly declare their financial assets, it allows the public and investigative bodies to monitor any unusual changes in wealth that might indicate corruption or misuse of power. This transparency is especially important in countries where political corruption has been a concern in the past.

Ironically, Abela had no issue publishing similar declarations in 2021 and 2022. His sudden resistance to transparency raises questions about what has changed in his financial disclosures.

Scrutiny Over Prime Minister’s Financial Disclosures

Unexplained Omission of Spousal Assets

Since assuming office in January 2020, Abela has consistently omitted his wife’s financial holdings from his asset declarations, a potential violation of the ministerial code of ethics.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly declined to explain why he does not declare his wife’s assets, arguing that it is unnecessary. However, Standards Commissioner Joseph Azzopardi has taken a different stance, clarifying that government ministers, including the Prime Minister, must disclose their spouses’ financial holdings—including property, bank accounts, shares, and bonds—unless they have a formal separation of assets.

Research conducted by The Shift in the public registry confirms that Robert and Lydia Abela do not have any legal separation of assets agreement. This omission raises concerns over whether undisclosed assets are being used for financial activities that should be publicly scrutinized.

Inconsistencies in Declared Income and Wealth

A review of Abela’s past asset declarations reveals inconsistencies in his reported earnings, savings, and property acquisitions.

In his 2022 declaration (covering 2021), Abela claimed to be living solely on his government salary of approximately €68,000 per year before taxes. Despite this, his asset report showed that he managed to increase his bank savings and investments by €32,000 within 12 months—a significant sum given his declared income.

In 2021, Abela reported €376,000 in bank deposits. A year later, despite no increase in his official salary, his deposits had grown to €388,567. Additionally, he declared an investment of €20,000 in new government stocks, further raising suspicions about his financial transparency.

Notably, Abela did not declare any additional sources of income beyond his government salary in either 2021 or 2022.

His wife, Lydia, has not officially reported any income since her husband took office, further complicating the picture of how their household finances operate.

Real Estate Holdings and Undisclosed Assets

A Lavish Property Portfolio

The Abela family’s extensive real estate holdings stand in stark contrast to their declared income. Their assets include:

• A luxurious sea-view penthouse and garage in Marsaskala
• A two-tumuli ODZ villa in Żejtun, undergoing major reconstruction
• A farmhouse in Xewkija, Gozo, being converted into a boutique hotel

Despite acquiring additional property in Gozo in 2022, Abela’s financial disclosures did not reflect any significant reduction in his savings to account for these purchases. This discrepancy suggests that undeclared financial sources—possibly held by his wife—could be funding these acquisitions.

More Questionable Transactions in 2023

In 2023, Abela and his wife purchased another plot of land in Xewkija. However, the corresponding asset declaration remains concealed from public view, fueling further speculation about the Prime Minister’s financial dealings.

Attempts to Block Investigations

Independent election candidate Arnold Cassola has raised concerns over these discrepancies, calling for an investigation into the accuracy of Abela’s declarations.

Following The Shift’s reports questioning the legitimacy of the Prime Minister’s financial disclosures, Cassola filed an official request with the Standards Commissioner to investigate potential breaches of ethics.

However, Abela swiftly moved to block the inquiry, claiming that such an investigation was time-barred. According to existing regulations, a complaint must be lodged within 30 days of public awareness of potential misconduct. By strategically delaying the publication of asset declarations, Abela effectively shielded himself from scrutiny.

Conclusion: A Crisis of Accountability

The Prime Minister’s refusal to publish his 2023 asset declaration is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of evasion. From omitting his wife’s financial holdings to inconsistencies in declared wealth, Abela’s financial transparency remains under scrutiny.

At the heart of the matter is the fundamental principle of accountability. If public officials, particularly the highest-ranking ones, can withhold financial information without consequence, Malta risks eroding public trust in its governance.

With mounting concerns and unanswered questions, calls for transparency and accountability will only grow louder. Whether Abela continues to resist public scrutiny or eventually yields to pressure remains to be seen.

FAQs

What are ministerial asset declarations, and why are they important?
Ministerial asset declarations are public records of a government official’s financial holdings, ensuring transparency and preventing conflicts of interest.

Why is Robert Abela refusing to publish the 2023 asset declarations?
Despite claiming the records are public, Abela has blocked access, citing procedural reasons, raising concerns over potential undisclosed wealth.

Has Robert Abela published asset declarations in the past?
Yes, he published asset declarations for 2021 and 2022, making his refusal to release the 2023 records more suspicious.

What role does The Shift play in this investigation?
The Shift has persistently requested access to these documents and exposed inconsistencies in Abela’s financial disclosures.

Is Abela legally required to declare his wife’s assets?
Yes, according to the Standards Commissioner, ministers must disclose spousal assets unless there is a formal separation of assets, which Abela does not have.

What discrepancies exist in Abela’s financial declarations?
Despite a static salary, Abela’s bank savings increased, and he purchased new properties without reflecting these expenses in his asset declarations.

What properties does Robert Abela own?
His holdings include a luxury penthouse, an ODZ villa in Żejtun, and a farmhouse in Gozo being converted into a hotel.

Why did the Standards Commissioner refuse to investigate?
Abela claimed the complaint was time-barred, using legal loopholes to block scrutiny of his financial records.

What is the public’s reaction to Abela’s lack of transparency?
Critics and opposition members demand accountability, fearing his refusal sets a dangerous precedent for governmental transparency.

Could Abela face consequences for withholding asset declarations?
Legal experts suggest potential political repercussions, but without strong enforcement, he may continue to evade scrutiny.