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25.04.2013 15:45
Election of new Socialist Maltese MEP calls judgement of Maltese Labour Party into question
"The election of the new Socialist Maltese MEP, Claudette Abela Baldacchino, calls into question the judgement of the Maltese Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party. Without prejudging the outcome of the process, and given that she is facing criminal charges, she should not have been allowed to contest yesterday's casual election to fill one of the vacant Maltese seats in the European Parliament. Even more so when the charges relate to the fraud of EU money”, said Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group.
Her election to the European Parliament means that she will now enjoy Parliamentary immunity and this means that these criminal charges will be frozen unless immunity is waived.
"Does this serve the interest of justice? No, it does not. This is making a mockery of European democracy. As the European elections are fast approaching, this decision does nothing to increase trust in MEPs and in the European Parliament", said Weber.
"Everyone is innocent until proven guilty and this principle applies to everyone, not least to Ms Abela Baldacchino. But the decision of the Maltese Labour Party to let her contest this election is wrong. It shows lack of political judgement and could have been avoided”, concluded Weber.
Note to editors
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 269 Members and 3 Croatian Observer Members.
<p><em>This month, three Maltese MEPs relinquished their seats in the European Parliament to take their seats in the Maltese Parliament. Yesterday, a casual election was held in Malta to replace these three former MEPs. One of the three elected is Claudette Abela Baldacchino. A week ago, the candidates had to nominate themselves to the casual election. The Maltese Labour Party could have asked Ms Baldacchino to refrain from putting her name forward for the casual election until she clears her name, but did not do so. </em></p> <p><em>Ms Abela Baldacchino is facing criminal charges in the Maltese courts for fraud on payment of air tickets following a probe by the EU anti-fraud agency, OLAF.</em></p>
Thomas BICKL
former staff member
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