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6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 DECEMBER 2024 NEWS Magical Christmas from Monday 16/12 to 22/12 Big on Quality, Lidl on Price Even though every effort has been made to ensure adequate supplies, these items may sell out quickly. Prices do not include decorative material. Prices are valid save errors or omissions. 6. 99 270g pack 1kg = € 25.89 1kg = € 6.24 4. 99 800g pack 1. 99 250g pack 1kg = € 7.96 1kg = € 44.33/39.90 3. 99 90/100g pack CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Cassola attended the congress held in Brussels earlier this month and informed delegates of the progress with regards to the formation of "a new centrist party" in Malta. He said "a growing number of people" from different political backgrounds were coming to- gether to form a new party that focuses in particular on the so- cial and environmental dimen- sions in politics. Cassola spoke of the need for basic social protection for each European citizen to be "en- hanced" and not simply safe- guarded. He also argued in fa- vour of the European Green Deal, insisting that climate change is a reality. "We must strive to secure a high quality of life for us and future genera- tions," he said. Cassola said the new politi- cal formation favours a strong EU voice on the world stage. "The EU must be at par with the US, China and Russia and not subservient to them… Eu- rope should speak with one voice in favour of dialogue for peace and stability in Europe, the Middle East and beyond," he said. The Party of European Dem- ocrats was founded in 2004 by former Italian prime minister Romano Prodi, French centrist leader Fancois Bayrou and Ital- ian politician Francesco Rutelli among others. Bayrou has just been nominat- ed by French President Emanuel Macron to serve as prime minis- ter in the hope of finding a ma- jority that can coalesce around the centre. The European Democrats have 10 MEPs, who sit with the liberal Renew in the European Parlia- ment. The pan-European party has 22 member parties from 17 countries with 107 members in national parliaments. Cassola contested the EP elec- tion last June as an independent, obtaining almost 13,000 first- count votes and making him the third highest polling candidate after Roberta Metsola (PN) and Alex Agius Saliba (PL). Since then, Cassola has man- aged to bring together various people in the hope of forming a new political party. Several meetings, called Vision Circles, have been held over the past months during which ideas were shared. However, the budding forma- tion broke new ground when Cassola addressed a press con- ference last month in Valletta surrounded by a group of peo- ple unknown in political cir- cles. Cassola had called for the removal of then tourism min- ister Clayton Bartolo and Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri after a Standards Commissioner report found they abused their power when granting the former's then girlfriend a consultancy job. The ethics investigation had been re- quested by Cassola. Last month, Cassola told Malt- aToday he was "simply a catalyst to help people who want change to discuss their ideas and come together around a common plat- form". "In the coming months, togeth- er with my colleagues, we will be explaining the direction we will be taking and inviting more per- sons to join us," he had said. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Buttigieg noted that the recently approved assisted dying Bill in the British parliament has certain aspects that can be adopted in Malta but she insisted foreign laws may not automat- ically be transposed to the local context. "This is a sensitive discussion. I will not be a wise politician if I do not do my homework and study existing legislation in other countries. Across Europe this is a controversial subject and there aren't many countries that have such laws in place. Even if such a law exists else- where it does not automatically mean that it makes sense for Malta," she added. The Labour Party 2022 manifesto made a commitment to strengthen palliative care but also proposed the introduction of euthanasia. "We believe the time has come for a mature national discussion on the introduction of vol- untary euthanasia for people with a terminal illness," the manifesto says. Only recently, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela said the UK's approach to assisted dying could serve as a potential blueprint for Malta. However, he also emphasised the importance of strengthening Malta's palliative care system, reassuring the public that any debate on assist- ed dying would not undermine this commit- ment. In November, MPs in the UK House of Com- mons voted in favour of a proposal to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. The Bill, called the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, would make it legal for individuals over the age of 18 who are terminally ill to receive assistance in ending their own life. Some aspects of UK's new assisted dying Bill can be adopted in Malta 'A catalyst to help people who want change' Arnold Cassola obtained almost 13,000 votes in the June MEP election, making him the third highest polling candidate after Roberta Metsola and Alex Agius Saliba