Watch: Here Are All The Key Players We Met During The State Of The EU Debate Week
One of the most important European Union (EU) debates discussing the future of the Union just concluded and Lovin Malta was able to, not just attend but interview some of the key figures in the scene.
The newsroom discussed issues ranging from abortion, migration, institutional shortcomings, SLAPPs, and more with six MEPs who have a degree of power in the proposal and decision-making processes within the EU.
Cyrus Engerer, David Casa, Tiemo Wölken, Philippe Lamberts, Alfred Sant, and Alex Agius Saliba are the MEPs Lovin Malta spoke with to discuss both local and international issues.
1. Cyrus Engerer
Engerer is a Maltese MEP coming from the Labour Party and forming part of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament (EP).
Engerer is very open about his agenda and opinions, speaking candidly with Lovin Malta about controversial issues like abortion and migration.
2. Alfred Sant
Former Prime Minister and current Labour MEP forming part of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group in the EP Alfred Sant spoke frankly with Lovin Malta about the shortcomings of the EU.
3. Tiemo Wölken
German MEP and member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Tiemo Wölken is the rapporteur of an anti-SLAPP directive that has recently been passed in parliament.
SLAPPs, otherwise known as strategic lawsuits against public participation, are vexatious lawsuits used to intimidate public watchdogs generally on little-to-no justifiable grounds.
They restrict democracy, transparency, and fundamental freedoms. Journalists are generally the main victims of SLAPPs and a report found that Malta has the most amount of cases in the EU, per capita.
This directive aims to tackle the issue in the EU, and while it has its own limitations, it is definitely a step forward.
4. Alex Agius Saliba
Maltese MEP coming from the Labour Party Alex Agius Saliba is an active member who has done a lot for the digital sphere in the EU, as well as the protection of persons with disabilities. He’s been very vocal about both his achievements and the issues that remain close to his heart.
However, we asked him whether there’s an EU-level problem that warrants more attention than it is receiving by the institution, and he responded with something very relevant to Malta: irregular migration.
5. David Casa
Maltese MEP coming from the Nationalist Party David Casa forms part of the EPP group within the Parliament. Currently, there is some controversy surrounding the EPP group regarding its alliances with far-right groups and their joint attempts to block climate legislation from being passed in parliament for the sake of economic rejuvenation.
This was referenced multiple times during the SOTEU debates as it is compromising the EU’s efforts in reversing the climate crisis. So, we asked Casa whether he believes that the group he forms part of is making it harder for the EU to fight climate change.
6. Philippe Lamberts
Belgian MEP Philippe Lamberts is a very important figure within the EU Parliament (EP) as he is the co-president of one of the four major groups: the Greens.
Both he and the Greens group consistently advocate for stronger, unionised efforts against the climate crisis – often saying “It is not our hobby horse, it is a question of survival”. So, Lovin Malta held a quick interview with the co-president so that he could elaborate more on his urgent calls.
Meanwhile, Lamberts is also very vocal about the respect of fundamental human rights when it comes to migration. So, the newsroom spoke with him about the efficacy and ethics of the EU’s migration-management efforts.
Which was your favourite interview?
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