German MEP hits back at ‘cowardly’ PN

PN’s condemnation of Green MEP Sven Geigold’s invocation of Article 7 procedure against Malta leaves the German politician puzzled

Sven Geigold (far left) formed part of the European Parliament's rule of law delegation that visited Malta and Slovakia last year. PN MEP Roberta Metsola (far right) had also formed part of that delegation.
Sven Geigold (far left) formed part of the European Parliament's rule of law delegation that visited Malta and Slovakia last year. PN MEP Roberta Metsola (far right) had also formed part of that delegation.

Green MEP Sven Geigold has been left wondering how his anti-corruption allies in the Nationalist Party have rallied against his call for EU action against Malta.

On Sunday, Geigold called on the EU to invoke an Article 7 procedure against Malta, which could lead to the suspension of voting rights. He was reacting to a leaked draft of a Council of Europe report that claimed Malta’s criminal justice system was at risk of paralysis.

However, on Monday, the PN publicly disagreed with Giegold – a critic who has campaigned for better governance in Malta together with PN MEPs.

Giegold slammed the PN’s reaction as a case of political cowardice.

“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. Article 7 is for the systematic violation of Europe’s fundamental values and this is just what the Council of Europe has found. It is a pity that the PN does not see the potential of an EU investigation on the rule of law. This could strengthen the voice of all in Malta who want to strengthen the rule of law on the islands.”

The PN has been critical of the government, repeatedly calling on it to take heed of international reports which repeatedly complained that nothing was being done to tackle corruption.

Giegold last week said the S&D Group in the European Parliament must ask itself why Malta’s Socialists are still members of their group. “Institutional change is no substitute for criminal prosecution. It is a positive step that the Maltese government has announced changes to Malta’s constitutional set up. Nevertheless, it is completely unacceptable that Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri are still in office and that the financial services provider Nexia BT continues to operate on the market with impunity.”

Giegold is a member of the EP committee on the rule of law in Malta and Slovakia.