Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1354939
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 MARCH 2021 NEWS These articles are part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. PAUL COCKS THE European Parliament will be de- bating new revelations surrounding the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder on Thursday, after political groups reached political consensus this morning. MaltaToday is informed that the Eu- ropean People's Party (EPP) secured the backing of the Greens, the European Conservatists and Reformists (ECR), and the right-wing Identity and Democ- racy (ID) groups within the European Parliament. The Socialists & Democrats (S&D), The Left, and Renew opposed the title of the resolution as it was pro- posed. The debate will be on the "Commis- sion 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 reso- lution taking place in the EP's April sit- ting, 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 "Com- mission 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 Europe- an Union's Justice Commissioner Di- dier Reynders to attend the European Parliament plenary session to address "serious questions raised by new reve- lations 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 mem- ber and where a Maltese [Simon Busut- til] is secretary-general, is now asking for a change in procedure in order to in- troduce 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 major- ity 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 de- bate 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 Ab- ela's leadership to strengthen our in- stitutions 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 pro- ceedings on the assassination of Daph- ne 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 with- out any political interference or pres- sure, including that of the European Parliament. "We want the whole truth to come out on the assassination of Daphne Caru- ana 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 MEPAlex 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. MEPs will debate latest Caruana Galizia assassination revelations Labour MEPs Cyrus Engerer (far left) and Alex Agius Saliba (inset)