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Edwin Vassallo to contest European elections, but not with the Nationalist Party
Former Nationalist MP vying for a seat in the European Parliament on his own steam
9 April 2024, 9:03am
Nicole Meilak
Nicole Meilak
1 min read
Edwin Vassallo is officially contesting the European election
Former Nationalist MP Edwin Vassallo has announced his candidature for the European elections this year – but not with the PN.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Vassallo said he took this decision because “our values for live, the family, and our freedom, has never been as threatened as they are today”.
“Every decision that is taken nowadays, is taken based on profits only, and as a result we may have a strong economy, but no one is considering the way our values for life, the family and freedom are being steamrolled over.”
It is unclear whether Vassallo is contesting as an independent candidate or under Moviment Solidarjetà, an organisation set up by him and described as an ‘activist movement for life, family and liberty’. MaltaToday has reached out to Vassallo for further clarification.
Vassallo is a conservative politician who had been vocal against the introduction of divorce in Malta, and still campaigns against the introduction of abortion.
In 2017, he was the only MP who opposed introducing same-sex marriages and even voted against a 2018 domestic violence bill, arguing that the bill should have specifically condemned any form of abortion.
In 2019, he shared a “warning” about bananas injected with “blood containing HIV and AIDS” on his personal profile, claiming “This is Satanism”. He eventually apologised for sharing the fake news.
In 2022, Vassallo failed to get elected after 25 years in parliament. He went on to leave the party and set up Moviment Solidarjetà.
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 action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.
Nicole Meilak is deputy online editor and IĠM press awards (Most Promising Journalist) wi...
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