Over the past years as a candidate, I used my 20 years of experience in the EU to address injustices experienced by Maltese citizens and to ensure that EU legislation is fit for our needs. Here are some of my achievements.
Food Security
I defended the Maltese Consumer at the beginning of the War in Ukraine when European countries blocked the export of wheat to Malta. With my intervention the European Commission took action and the Maltese Consumer was protected.
I pressed for Malta to be given more European funds for the areas of Food production
I raised the issue of the theft of Lampuki by Tunisian fishermen at a European level – the European Commission accepted my proposal for a European patrol boat – after this, theft decreased drastically – thus Maltese fishermen have been better protected and the Maltese consumer can continue to enjoy fish at a good price.
I also intervened through official letters to the European Commission on various themes such as chicken farming in Malta and the supply of fresh Maltese food with the result that the Commission postponed its proposals in this sector.
High prices and transport
I exposed how the European transport proposals will affect Malta in the field of truck transport, air flights and ship transport. After the pressure that I raised, the government tried to negotiate special derogations for Malta.I submitted a formal proposal for the European Commission to be obliged to seriously measure the impact of its laws on islands like Malta before presenting them as legislative proposals. I called this the ‘cost of insularity test’ which I believe must be made mandatory on Europe so that Malta is protected by ‘one size fits all’ European policies. I also successfully lobbied for the EPP to include in its manifesto a proposal to conduct territorial impact assessments ahead of proposing new legislation.
WIFI
I made public pressure for the government to apply for free WIFI funding in squares and public places. Thanks to this, Malta benefited from funds of an additional 800,000 euros which the people in towns and villages can now enjoy.
Free to Air
I exerted pressure through letters, articles and parliamentary questions with the help of fellow MPs for the Government to guarantee the right to free information through free to air tv. After my pressure the Government announced an investment of 1,5 million in the transmission system.
Freedom of expression and media
As a member of President Antonio Tajani’s cabinet I was at the forefront to insist that Malta ensure full justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia and our family. I also insisted that all Maltese institutions guarantee the freedom of the media and the protection of journalists. As Chief Speaker of the PN I saw that this theme remains at the top of our work and after that I continued to follow closely the proposals of European laws in favor of the freedom of the Media.