Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521306
14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 MAY 2024 MEP 2024 Q&A Is the European Union relevant to the Maltese? Ask that question to the businesses who have invest- ed in new machinery thanks to EU funds. Ask that ques- tion to students who went on Erasmus. Ask that question to workers who have been trained and gained new skills through courses funded by the EU. Ask that question to parents who today can benefit from work-life benefits. Ask that question to farmers who benefitted from funds to sup- port Maltese agriculture. Ask that question to corporations who export their product to other EU countries. The answer to your question is a resounding yes. And our job is to continue to make it even more relevant. To explain better the benefits of the EU to our people. The Maltese electorate is motivated by issues which are local and often partisan, does this not make it more difficult for you to campaign? This will be my fifth cam- paign (not counting the EU referendum). Meeting people is the essence of politics. Un- like the Prime Minister who has decided to campaign by screaming, attacking judges and magistrates and intim- idating journalists, for me, campaigning means meeting people, listening to their con- cerns, address them, explain our vision and be with people. Local issues are European is- sues and European issues are local issues. That is why voting in this election is important, because the decisions taken by the European Parliament have a direct impact on the daily lives of all the people of Malta and Gozo. Malta has a small representa- tion in the European Parlia- ment, can we be influential? We are influential. Let's stop thinking about numbers and seats. Let's think about ideas. Let's believe in ourselves. Let's recognise how far we've come and how much more we can achieve. Of course, the Mal- tese delegation can work even closer together. But our voice does not depend on the num- ber of seats, but on our work, our credibility and our rep- utation. I am determined to continue to be a strong voice for all the people of Malta and Gozo. Why are you so motivated to stand as a member of the European Parliament? Because I am proud to be Maltese. And I believe that in the next years, we can get much more as a country. In Malta's first 20 years as Mem- ber of the EU, we have seen a complete transformation of our country: Investment, op- portunities, standards, funds, progress. But this is not the time to be nostalgic. It's time to lay out our vision for the next years. It's time to believe in ourselves as a country and ensure that all our people re- alise their full potential. It's time to give hope to this coun- try that we can be much much better, if we act together. Ro be r t a M e t so l a Nationalist Party MEP election candidate Is the European Union relevant to the Maltese? When Malta joined the EU, most under- stood that the country and the people could reap huge benefits. Those who do not re- member our country outside the EU take these benefits for granted. However, we must protect the benefits already acquired and those that we stand to acquire, as they are not automatic. Funding for each member state is condi- tional on that member state's performance on the upholding of democracy and the rule of law, and on the protection of fundamental human rights, including those of minorities. Notwithstanding all the consequences we have endured since the brutal assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the government still refuses to implement GRECO's recom- mendations, it still refuses to implement the conclusions of the Daphne Caruana Gali- zia inquiry. The precautionary resolutions of the European Parliament against Malta on the state of Democracy and the Rule of Law keep coming. There could be sanctions which would include the withholding of funding. The Maltese government and the few who have hijacked it are not the Maltese state and ergo not the Maltese people. Thus, the Mal- tese people, should not be made to suffer any more consequences for the actions of their government. The Maltese Electorate is motivated by issues which are local and often partisan, does this not make it more difficult for you to campaign? People have similar experiences across most EU countries and Europe is in essence a big village. Indeed, the present situation, has tainted the campaign with the stench of corruption and partisan tribalism, which does not help. The Daphne Caruana Galizia inquiry found the Cabinet guilty of creating a climate of impunity which facilitated her assassination. This turbulent situation creates uncertain- ty and fear, which are toxic to commerce, investment, sentiment and the national se- renity. Can we afford to have our reputation dragged through the mud all over again? In today's world, what happens in Malta does not stay in Malta. In a highly polarised political climate, the government blames this on the Nationalist MEPs. The truth is that it is the government who is the real trai- tor of the Maltese people because notwith- standing all the resolutions on the state of democracy and the rule of law, it still digs its heels in and conveniently labels any criti- cism anti-patriotic. I'm confident that if the government were to implement the recommendations of GRE- CO and the local public inquiries, introduce the Law on Unjustified Wealth, and stop at- tacking journalists and the judiciary, there would be much less need for turf battles. Local and EU politics are strongly inter- twined. It is therefore crucial that MEP can- didates lend an attentive ear to the people, be vigilant about social injustices and be aware of the people's expectations in order to serve as a bridge between the Maltese people and the European forum. Malta has a small representation in the Eu- ropean Parliament, can we be influential? The Nationalist Party never let the small size of our country impede it from having big dreams and acting to achieve them. It always believed in the capability and versatility of the Maltese people. Maltese MEPs need to work tirelessly and diligently. We need to discuss during the early stages and definitely before votes are taken. We need to work as a team, to lobby with and acquire support from other coun- tries and gain traction and leverage. We need to keep in mind our national in- terests and present our case sensibly and in a manner that does not go against com- mon EU policy. We need to invest our time in finding better ways of working together rather than throwing spanners in the wheels for the sake of self-aggrandisement or local political gain. Why are you so motivated to stand as a member of the European Parliament? It is super easy to be an armchair critic. Dis- cussions about the current political situation over a drink or coffee in bars have become the norm. But very few seem prepared to put their money where their mouth is. My heart had long been aching about the state of our democracy and the rule of law, the need to break the stigma against persons with invisible disabilities (one of whom is my son) and those with mental health prob- lems and to legislate for the recognition and protection of their rights, and to address the urgent need to protect our physical and in- tangible environment. Thus, after lengthy discussions with my family, I decided that I needed to contrib- ute to bring about the change that I feel is sorely needed and long overdue. This is my motivation! Lo u i se A n n e Pu l i s Nationalist Party MEP election candidate