Prior to the vote, the Gozitan MEP posted a video to social media announcing that she plans to vote against the resolution since the matter is “a national competence”.

“I promised to defend Malta’s competence and right when it comes to legislating on abortion so that laws relating to the matter wouldn’t be imposed on the country by the EU.”

Similarly, PL MEP Alex Agius Saliba and PN MEP David Casa voted against yesterday’s resolution. EP President Roberta Metsola doesn’t vote on any subject. Alfred Sant from the PL camp was the only MEP to abstain.

Meanwhile, Engerer has openly supported abortion, and although he was not present in Brussels to cast his vote yesterday due to work-related reasons, he co-signed the vote and expressed his pride in being selected to negotiate the resolution.

Cutajar went on to say that she believes that “the majority of women who are considering getting an abortion are not in an easy or desirable situation.”

“We should try to offer a helping hand because we are well aware that there have been situations where women were going through a tough time and were considering getting an abortion, and because they found help, they didn’t go through with it.”

“We all have different viewpoints. I myself, have certain reservations on the matter. However, I definitely believe that there should not be any judgement,” she reiterated.

Cutajar will not be contesting in the upcoming MEP elections this June.

“After 12 years serving in public life, I took the decision not to contest,” the MEP wrote on social media in January. “It’s a difficult decision, but one which was necessary at this stage of my life.”

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Do you think that matters related to abortion should be left to Malta and not the EU?