Exclusive: Roberta Metsola Pledges Zero Impunity And More Ukraine Support In Presidency Anniversary Message
In a message to the people of Malta to mark one year since her historic election to the post of European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola pledged to continue supporting Ukraine and to implement “generational” reforms.
“I knew it was going be a challenging job but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for everything that followed,” Metsola said in a video message published by Lovin Malta.
Just over a month after Metsola became the youngest European Parliament President in history, the continent was rocked when Russian troops invaded Ukraine.
Metsola took a leading stance in pushing for EU action and sanctions against Russia and her efforts were recently acknowledged through a billboard in the Ukrainian ‘Hero City’ of Irpin.
“Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine completely shook the foundations upon which our society is built,” Metsola said. “When Putin invaded a sovereign and independent country, he discarded the international rules that maintain global order, which is why it is so crucial for us to continue supporting Ukraine.”
“We won’t leave Ukraine alone to fight for the values we believe in and I said this to [Ukranian President Volodymr] Zelenskyy in Kyiv a few weeks after war broke out.”
Roberta Metsola meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv
Metsola also took a look back at ‘Qatargate’, the corruption scandal that emerged following allegations that Qatar and Morocco had paid money to EU politicians in return for influence.
In the wake of this scandal, Metsola pledged a raft of reforms, including stricter lobbying rules and a two-year “cooling-off” period before MEPs can become lobbyists.
“As European Parliament President, I will do my utmost to help in every investigation, I won’t close a single eye to corruption and I won’t allow any impunity under my watch,” she said.
“I recognise the European Parliament needs to regain the trust of the European citizens it represents, which is why I proposed short-term and longer-term reforms to strengthen its integrity, independence and accountability.”
“A year ago, I promised to be a reformist President and preside over a modern European Parliament; these proposals should lead to generational parliamentary reform.”
“When they are implemented, I believe the European Parliament will be the best example of modern and open democracy. European citizens deserve no less.”
How do you assess Metsola’s tenure as European Parliament President so far?
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