“It’s a matter of choice,” Int’ Veld said, describing the current system in Malta as the “worst in Europe”.

She insisted that when it comes to abortion, women have a right to choose, insisting that the EU’s reaction to the overturning of Roe vs Wade in the USA should be an indication to Malta on which direction it should head. 

“If women can lead the International Monetary Fund, Germany, the European Parliament and the European Commission, then surely they can make decisions on their own bodies and lives,” she said. 

“Countries with liberal abortion laws have some of the lowest abortion rates. If it’s banned in a country it still happens, it’s just illegal and unsafe.”

“It also creates inequality between women who can afford to travel and the ones who cannot. Instead, those women will have unsafe abortions. All this does is create inequality between women.”

“Why should women in Malta have less choice than women in other EU countries?”

Engerer also questioned whether a debate on the issue in life-threatening situations can even happen in Malta when the opposition was resoundingly against the recent IVF law.

However, he insisted that at the very least a comprehensive sexual education policy was needed in the country in order to address the challenges around choice and consent.

Rule of law: Signs of improvement in Malta but much more needs to be done 

Int’ Veld, who leads the EU delegation into the rule of law situation in Malta, conceded that a lot of steps had been taken to improve the situation, particularly reforms in the police, the Attorney General’s office and the FIAU. 

However, she said there are still some clear issues, namely the capacity of the judiciary. She said that it was clear there was political will to change the system, but said authorities needed to “push a little harder”.

Notably, she pointed to Malta’s two-party parliamentary system as a major issue, particularly the gulf in capabilities between the government and the opposition. 

“We will never give lessons into how a member state’s democracy should be organised, but a strong parliament where all parties are represented and given equal capacity is important,” she said.

Engerer agreed with the importance of introducing full-time MPs, particularly given the demands placed on parliament amid major reforms. He also stressed that Malta is doing a lot in terms of rule of law and the government was addressing decades-old challenges that were ignored before. 

“However, you should not put Malta in the same bracket as Poland, Hungary and Slovenia. The Maltese government was also open and willing to meet and discuss ideas.”

Still, the EU struggles to get rogue states in line, particularly in reference to Poland, Hungary and Slovenia. And both Int’ Veld and Engerer had some choice words for the EU Commission and EU Council.

Both praised the European Parliament as an effective legislative institution but issues remained in the Council implementing initiatives. 

“[EU Council members) are extremely reluctant to intervene. They only want to use it in the interest of national politicians and not in the interests of the citizens.”

“It is a body with absolute power that is not accountable, has no elected mandate, cannot be made to resign, meets in secret and votes unanimously which leads to horse-trading.”

“Just look at migration and Malta. It is the ultimate example. It has been stuck for seven years and that is unacceptable. The problem can be solved and the EP has reached an agreement. The model of intergovernmental Europe has run into a blind wall.”

Engerer was a little bit more understanding of the slow process within the council, which he said was made up of elected politicians, but was adamant that the commission was failing to upkeep certain standards, particularly with Hungary being given a green light for €37 billion in EU funding. 

“If the Commission pays even one penny, this house should do what it was elected to do and send the commission packing,” Int’ Veld said.

The courts: “Justice delayed is justice denied”

A key issue to the rule of law is Malta’s abysmal court delays which are among the worst in Europe. However, questions remain as to whether or not the EU should directly intervene, particularly on sovereign issues. 

However, Int’ Veld insisted that Malta’s justice system forms part of the EU as a whole, stressing that justice in the bloc is only “as strong as its weakest link”.

“Just look at the case of Daphne Caruana Galizia. It’s been five years and only one person has been sentenced, and that was because they confessed. There are countless major criminal cases that take too long. It not only affects the victim and their family but society as a whole,” she said. 

“We must also see the rate of investigations and prosecution. There have been good reforms, but the proof is in the pudding.”

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Engerer added, praising proposed reforms by the Justice Minister to address the issue. 

The green deal: Small nations are being left behind

A key initiative during the legislature is the Fitfor55 package and the EU’s green deal. Both Engerer and Int’ Veld praised parliament’s legislative efforts on this, insisting that it has done its part to address the climate crisis, calling on the other institutions to act. 

However, Engerer was keen to point out that Maltese MEPs actually abstained in a recent vote, out of concerns that smaller member states are being left behind. 

This article is 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. This article reflects only the author’s view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

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