European Parliament decision on Caruana Galizia murder debate expected on Tuesday

The European Parliament's decision on whether it will be debating new findings on Daphne Caruana Galizia murder is expected to be announced on Tuesday 

The European Parliament’s formal decision on whether it will be discussing new revelations surrounding the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder is expected to be announced on Tuesday.  

Sources said should the EP decide to go ahead with the debate, it will be held on Thursday afternoon.  

On Monday, the European People’s Party (EPP) filed a fresh request for MEPs to debate the case.  

Last week, the EPP asked the European Union’s Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders to attend the European Parliament Plenary session to address “serious questions raised by new revelations in the Daphne Caruana Galizia cases” which has implicated persons in the highest level of Malta’s government.   

However, Labour MEPs Alex Agius Saliba and Cyrus Engerer accused Maltese EPP members of “damaging the country’s reputation” in approving calls for a debate on new revelations surrounding the Daphne Caruana Galizia case.

Engerer argued that such a demand did not make sense, insisting such a debate could harm the judicial process in the middle of testimony. “Vince Muscat’s testimony has not yet been concluded. What sense does it make to debate half of his testimony?” he said.    

The sentiment was also shared by fellow Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba, who labelled the debate as an “unnecessary attack” as court proceedings are still ongoing.    

Despite this, EPP leader Manfred Weber said that the party would ask for a debate and resolution on the topic again.  

Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola also joined in, saying that the party will continue to insist that justice be done in light of emerging reports on Keith Schembri. 

S&D head reacts  

Socialist and Democrats head Iratxe Garcia Perez denied reports about the debate being held on Thursday, insisting no European Parliament Presidents conference has been held.  

“No decision was taken in relation of this topic. Progressives stand for the effectiveness and independence of the institutions in Malta,” she said. 

READ MORE: Labour MEPs fire broadside over EPP call to debate new findings on Daphne murder

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