Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets of Republic Street in Valletta. The sun beats down on the historic buildings, tourists snap photos, and locals go about their day. Today, however, there’s a different buzz in the air. Malta’s Parliament is about to make history, but with a twist that’s as Maltese as a plate of pastizzi.

Malta Says ‘Yes’ to Justice, But When?

Malta has voted to join the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) tribunal to prosecute Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes. A resounding ‘yes’, you might think, but there’s a catch. The vote was unanimous, but the timing? That’s a different story.

You see, Malta’s not rushing into this. The vote was clear: Malta wants justice for the victims of the war in Ukraine. But it’s also made it clear that it won’t join the tribunal until after our general election, scheduled for March 2023.

Why the Wait?

Politics, my dear reader, is a delicate dance. Malta’s Foreign Minister, Ian Borg, put it plainly: “We want to ensure that whoever leads the next government is the one who takes this decision forward.” In other words, let’s not rush into a decision that could have global implications. Let’s do this right.

Remember, Malta’s a small island with a big voice on the global stage. We punch above our weight, and we know it. So, we’re not about to make a move without careful consideration. After all, as any Maltese nonna will tell you, ‘Ħajj il-ħin’ – haste makes waste.

What’s Next?

So, what happens now? Well, Malta’s joined the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties, which means we’re part of the decision-making process. But we won’t be part of the actual prosecution until after the election. Until then, we’ll be watching, waiting, and making sure our voice is heard when the time comes.

As for the rest of us, we’ll keep going about our daily lives. We’ll enjoy our pastizzi, sip our Cisk, and watch the world change around us. Because that’s what Malta does best – we stand tall, we speak our mind, and we do it all in our own sweet time.