The EPP and the PN are orchestrating a joint effort to attack Malta's reputation next Tuesday at the European Parliament, PL MEP Alfred Sant has said.
On Tuesday 14 November, the European Parliament is scheduled to debate the rule of law and money-laundering in Malta.
Maltese MEP Alfred Sant was attending a meeting with the GWU General Secretary and Union Secretaries on the latest developments in the European Parliament.
"A strong faction within the PN that is afraid of losing power irrespective of whoever may be in government, is trying to avoid this at all costs by inflicting enormous damages on the whole country. MEPs from other groups who previously criticised Malta's tax system, mainly from the Greens and the Extreme left, have joined this effort which is endangering thousands of jobs in the financial services sector which constitute 20% of Malta's economy."
"The EPP is being criticised on its handling and defence of the Hungarian Government currently being accused of breaking the rule of law in the country. The European Conversatives are also defending accusations levelled by the European Commision at the Polish Government on the rule of law."
"Next Tuesday, MEPs from these groups will attack the Maltese Government on Malta's taxation system, the Malta Citizen by Investment Programme and the rule of law," said Maltese MEP and former Prime Minister Alfred Sant in a meeting with GWU General Secretary and Union Secretaries.
Sant said that the EPP and the Conservatives have for the last months defended Poland and Hungary who have consistently being accused of breaking the rule of law in their countries.
"Now they have grabbed the opportunity to level the same accusations at the Maltese government and pay back the S&D in which Labour MEPs play an active role," Alfred Sant said.
He added that there are people locally who are labelling the country as a mafia state to denigrate Malta.
"These Maltese should be ashamed of themselves for circulating texts aimed at poisoning political groups at the European Parliament. The only exception are the Socialists and Democrats (S&D). I referred to the situation in Malta in a meeting of the S&D Bureau and the S&D group of MEPs. The damage could be incurred on Maltese and Gozitan citizens and workers who are benefitting from the wealth created in Malta during the tenure of the last two Labour Governments. These Maltese are spreading damaging arguments which are harming Malta and its citizens. This damage could be irreperable," remarked Sant.
PN MEPs respond
In response PN MEPs David Casa, Roberta Metsola and Francis Zammit Dimech stated that Alfred Sant "should know very well that all political groups except his own are of the same view concerning the rule of law in Malta."
"He is therefore either delusional or is intentionally attempting to contort the truth. Allowing Criminals to take hold of the country and cause havoc is what damages Malta's reputation."
"Appointing and refusing to sack a puppet, incompetent Police Commissioner to save the skin of those in power is what damages Malta's reputation. Allowing a bank strongly suspected of laundering money for Maltese PEPs and Azeri dictators to operate in Malta is what damages Malta's reputation. Systemically, intentionally, weakening Malta's institutions is what damages Malta's reputation."
"The only people damaging Malta's reputation are the criminals in Castille. If Alfred Sant had any backbone he would ensure his S&D colleagues support the resolution on Wednesday and stand with the Maltese people and not the criminals in government."