MEPs will debate latest Caruana Galizia assassination revelations

The European Parliament will be debating new revelations surrounding the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder on Thursday, after political groups reached political consensus this morning.

MaltaToday is informed that the European People’s Party (EPP) secured the backing of the Greens, the European Conservatists and Reformists (ECR), and the right-wing Identity and Democracy (ID) groups within the European Parliament. The Socialists & Democrats (S&D), The Left, and Renew opposed the title of the resolution as it was proposed.

The debate will be on the “Commission statement on the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta”.

Thursday’s plenary session will only include a debate, with a vote on a resolution taking place in the EP’s April sitting, between 26 and 29 April.

Sources said the S&D opposed the EPP’s proposal because it wanted the title of the debate changed to “Commission and Council statements on the recent developments on the ongoing court case concerning the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta”. But none of the other groups endorsed the S&D’s proposal.

Last week, the EPP asked the European Union’s Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders to attend the European Parliament plenary session to address “serious questions raised by new revelations in the Daphne Caruana Galizia cases” which has implicated persons in the highest level of Malta’s government.

Labour MEP Cyrus Engerer however said the EP debate could endanger the truth from coming out in an ongoing court procedure.

“The EPP, of which the PN is a member and where a Maltese [Simon Busuttil] is secretary-general, is now asking for a change in procedure in order to introduce a new debate during this week’s plenary as Vince Muscat is in the midst of giving his testimony in court.

“Since the EPP is the biggest party in the Parliament, it is easy to gain a majority on a sensational issue, such a debate can be added with urgency. Therefore, the Nationalist Party is now requesting a change in procedure so that the debate happens on Thursday this week.”

Engerer said he was not bothered by the debate.

“Malta has made great leaps forward during this past year, with Robert Abela’s leadership to strengthen our institutions and move them away, one and for all, from political interference. The results of the past year’s work are evident and no one doubts them any longer,” he said.

But the Labour MEP said it would be insensitive of the EP to hold this debate during such a delicate stage in the proceedings on the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

“There are mistakes that happened in the past that is vital not to repeat. At this stage it is important that the law courts are allowed to conduct their work without any political interference or pressure, including that of the European Parliament.

“We want the whole truth to come out on the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and that justice is made in the law courts. Trials by the media or by politicians will only hinder the quest for justice,” he said.

Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba said in a recorded Facebook comment that the EP should not be used as a “courtroom”. He accused the PN MEPs of putting pressure on the EPP for this debate to take place, in a bid to harm the Maltese national interest ahead of the Moneyval report.