A win for Malta in the European Court of Justice

The news that the European Court of Justice has declared that the Maltese Government is clearly following EU law when it comes to appointments of members of the judiciary is highly significant in a number of ways.

We, as representatives of the Labour Party, have been making it known at both a local level and a European level that the Maltese Government is serious about reforming laws that have been in place for many years, but no other government until now had the courage and the ambition to make the changes that are necessary

Here now exists a confirmation of the highest order, by a leading European authority, that the Maltese Government led by Robert Abela respects the Maltese institutions and ensures that they have all the resources for them to work fairly and efficiently.

The continuous narrative pushed forward by individuals such as Jason Azzopardi, Simon Busuttil and Therese Comodini Cachia, who seek to put Malta in a negative light, has failed spectacularly with this certificate by the European Court of Justice. The decision shows that the reforms that are being put in place by the Maltese Government are needed, effective and above all, lawful.

It was Robert Abela’s decision to give up the right to choose members of the judiciary and instead give it to the Judicial Appointments Committee and the President of the Republic, as head of the Commission for the Administration of Justice. This week we have seen the fruit of this decision with four new judges being appointed through this new selection process, which the Government had no control or influence over.

We, as representatives of the Labour Party, have been making it known at both a local level and a European level that the Maltese Government is serious about reforming laws that have been in place for many years, but no other government until now had the courage and the ambition to make the changes that are necessary. The separation of powers between the government and judiciary is a very important positive step forward and it’s clear that the Abela government is committed to further reforms wherever they are needed.

Even though the European Court of Justice has now proven us right, it is sad to see that the PN has not learnt its lesson. Up to this very day, efforts to lobby and pressure MEPs are being made in Europe by David Casa, Roberta Metsola and Simon Busuttil in relation to a vote that will be taken in the European Parliament next week. Instead of being proud of Malta for reforming its practices and institutions to make sure they stand up to the highest level of scrutiny, they are once again focused on damaging our nation’s reputation in the ensuing vote.

In such cases, one begins to wonder what the true intentions of Roberta Metsola and David Casa must be. As elected representatives, meant to represent the interests of those Maltese who have elected them, it is clear that this approach of always trying to damage Malta’s international reputation will be of no benefit to their constituents. When Malta is acknowledged for its positive reforms and results over the past years, every individual benefits.

After every such instance where the PN puts its own interests first, it becomes even more important for myself and my colleagues in the European Parliament to continue defending Malta’s reputation, the Maltese institutions and the truth about events that happen in our country. One of my first promises as an elected Labour MEP was to always defend Malta and its citizens and that is what I will continue to do every day with all my energy.