‘I Want To Be The Voice Of The Most Vulnerable People In Society’: Meet MEP Candidate Louise Anne Pulis

1. What made you want to run for the MEP Elections?

Over the past 11 years the political landscape has changed dramatically…. And for the worse. This has deeply altered our national identity and mindset. 

With corruption and scandals of vertiginous magnitudes having become an everyday occurrence, people have become desensitised and dissociated. We have reached a point where evil and acts of bad governance are promoted as normal and good and where good political practice is chastised and considered deviant. 

Democracy and the Rule of Law, and the protection of fundamental human rights are under serious threat. The institutions have either been taken over and emaciated or are constantly under attack. 

There is no respect for the environment. The countryside has been taken over, development is mushrooming all over Outside Development Zones, the urban sprawl has taken over both horizontally and vertically. The fierce war against trees rages on incessantly.

Although there has been recognition and more protection of rights for persons with physical disabilities on an EU level, persons with intellectual disabilities, mental or psychological problems are severely discriminated against. Mental health problems are still a Cinderella. The taboo and the cycle of discrimination, need to be broken. A lot of work needs to be done for the recognition, acceptance, integration and recognition of people with such problems or disabilities. 

It was either stay in Malta and contribute towards eventual change or move to greener pastures abroad. 

Out of love of family and country, I opted for the former. 

2. Why should the public vote for you in the upcoming election?

I’m asking for the public’s confidence because I am genuinely interested in their wellbeing, their quality of life and their life enjoyment.

I have always made time to help others, to lend an ear to the distraught, to contribute actively and hands-on rather than just offer lip service.

My legal and human rights background give me an advantage in navigating the complex legal framework of the various EU institutions.

My personal experiences with disability and chronic illnesses give me an edge as no hypothesis can match real life. 

Most importantly I pledge my integrity and honesty. Thanks to this, the Maltese public are guaranteed a valiant negotiator who will not be swayed by the whiff of personal gain. 

3. What is the main issue/top priority you would be focusing on if you were to be elected?

Actually my vision encompasses three main issues: 

The first is to work for furthering the protection of democracy and for the creation of more enforcement mechanisms in case of infringements of the basic tenets of the Treaty on the European Union, by any Member State.

The second is to work for enhanced protection and regulation of the environment so that state governments will become duty bound to preserve it for us and for future generations. Let us bear in mind that the environment we live in heavily impacts our physical and mental health.

Third, I want to be the voice of the most vulnerable people in society– those with different abilities, those afflicted with chronic illness (be these mental or physical), those who have no roof on their heads, those who have no political and social connections, those with no financial leverage and no VIP to heed and champion their cause. These people have suffered in silence for way too long. Not only is it high time to genuinely hear them out, but also to make their case.

These issues are inter-linked. We cannot have a healthy society without a healthy environment. We cannot protect the environment without protecting democracy. Neither can we protect the rights of vulnerable persons with a sick democracy.

4. Can you mention one weakness and one strength of the EU?

The EU lacks strong and timely enforcement mechanisms against member states who are in breach of their obligations. It needs to gear up on those especially when it is prospecting further enlargement and in view of the rise of far right politics and populism across the bloc.

The consensus on social rights and the will to fight climate change among all member states shows that the EU has developed into a union of peoples rather than a commercial bloc, and that is a plus for all European citizens.

4. Tell us who your favourite candidate is from another party?

Arnold Cassola. He is a vociferous critic of corruption and is not easily intimidated or dissuaded by unjustified arguments or heinous personal attacks.

6. And finally, if you weren’t running, who would vote for?

I would vote for all the candidates running under the Nationalist Party ticket. While some have been tried and tested, there is also new blood, different perspectives and fresh ideas.

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Would you like to see Louise Anne Pulis as an MEP?