Miriam Dalli hails the S&D group’s efforts on blocking Article 7 against Malta

Labour MEP Miriam Dalli, has praised the efforts made by the Socialists & Democrats Group in blocking a European Parliament resolution from pushing to trigger Article 7 against Malta. 

Speaking during a party activity in Luqa, Dalli said through pressure made by the S&D Group, as well as efforts made by herself and other Labour MEPs in holding discussions with parliament members, the final resolution adopted by the plenary in Strasbourg encouraged the commission to enter into dialogue with the Maltese government. 

“Had it not been for pressure made through the S&D Group, and personally sitting down with MEPs, the outcome would have been very different,” Miriam Dalli said, whilst addressing an activity in Luqa.

Had Article 7 gone through, the process would have resulted in the suspension of voting rights as well as the denial of access to EU funds.

Dalli also made reference to the Nationalist Party’s (PN) stance on the issue. 

“After years of repeating the same accusations against Malta in concert with a number of MEPs, the PN tried to distance itself from statements against Malta by German MEP Sven Giegold, with whom they worked and addressed press conferences on Malta,” the statement read. 

Green MEP Sven Giegold had invoked Article 7 in terms of Malta.

Giegold had slammed the PN’s statements after they condemned him for pushing towards triggering Article 7. 

“I did not expect any applause by the Labour Party. But: It is political cowardice that the PN has been complaining about corruption and impunity for years but takes such a strong position against the opening of an Article 7 procedure,” he said. 

Dalli said that the PN and its MEPs cannot be credible because according to her ‘they are not consistent’. 

“If anything were to happen to Malta, it would be our families and our workers who would suffer. If our economy were to suffer a hit, it is the jobs that will suffer. That is why I always stood up against the PN’s attacks,” Dalli said.

Roberta Metsola reacts

Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola reacted to Dalli's remarks, calling her comments ‘a classic strawman argument’. 

“The only thing the S&D ever did was do their utmost to label Malta and Gozo a tax haven. Time & again,” Metsola tweeted.