27/03/2019 (Agence Europe) – The Maltese government announced on Tuesday 26 March that it would legislate by the summer on the recommendations of the Council of Europe's Venice Commission on the separation of powers, issued at the end of 2018. The legislation will separate the prosecutorial and advisory powers held by the Attorney General. A letter to this effect has been sent to the Commission and the Venice Commission. This dual function of the Attorney General dates back to 1936. In its opinion, the Venice Commission recommended, inter alia, the introduction of an independent Director of Public Prosecutions, responsible for all criminal prosecutions, who would be subject to judicial control. The opinion also recommended removing the possibility of removal of judges from office by Parliament and proposed a number of changes to the judicial appointment system. (SP)