Schulz: Self proclaimed establishment figure looking after the corrupt elite

“President Schulz represents the European Parliament in its entirety – and should therefore exercise caution when making his personal opinions public in the process of performing his official duties,” said the Head of the PN delegation David Casa MEP. 

Earlier the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said, in Malta, that he does not believe that the Panama Papers scandal has cast doubt on Malta's ability to push through the EU anti-money laundering laws.

“Members of the Maltese Prime Minister’s inner circle were caught setting up classic money laundering structures and had committed to transferring a million dollars annually into these structures – all while on a ministerial salary of €70,000. These facts are uncontested and have been revealed in the Panama Papers scandal. To suggest that these people can be trusted to drive anti-money laundering legislation is an insult to the Maltese and European people. It is also an insult to the many businesses around Europe that invest heavily every year to be able to comply with burdensome anti-money laundering legislation. While established politicians tend to make a habit of protecting their own rather than the interests of EU citizens, this detachment from reality, particularly in the twilight of his European Parliamentary career, is unbecoming of President Schulz.”

The negotiations on the anti-money laundering directive are expected to be finalised under Maltese Presidency of the EU Council. It is an important topic for the European Parliament, as it will close many loopholes. Many hope that the EU reaches an agreement by June 2017 when the Maltese Presidency comes to an end.