It has been just over three weeks that Roberta Metsola was chosen, with a landslide victory, to be the President of the European Parliament for the next two and half years. Although pertaining to the other side of the political divide, I too was happy for her, proud that a co-national has been entrusted with such a prestigious office within the EU’s echelons of power. A representative of the smallest economy within the European Union has managed to make it to the very top of the EU Parliament! This in itself is a reflection of the trust she enjoys with other MEPs not only within the European People’s Party but with other groups on the political spectrum.
The night before Prime Minister, the Hon Robert Abela was in Strasbourg to participate in the memorial for the late David Sassoli, Roberta’s predecessor. Surely, the photo delineating the greeting of our PM by Roberta Metsola for that ceremony is one to be talked about for years to come. I cannot but admit chuckling about it whilst reading what other contributors in other sections of the media had to say, for example, that by Raphael Vassallo using the tango dance as an analogy!
I take opportunity in sharing my thoughts about it. For plenty of die-hards on the local political scene that gesture was posed to be somewhat enigmatic to comprehend; especially, with her refrainment from shaking hands with then PM Joseph Muscat.Yet, it was the correct kind of gesture which members of the electorate considered to be floaters as well as those who have an objective mind found to be most appropriate. It delivered a clear message that we have to let bygones be bygones!
The PM was very much correct in delivering consistency as to whether Maltese MEPs representing the current labour government would be supporting Roberta Metsola in her bid to become the EP President. The answer was an unequivocally ‘YES’. Indeed, that was the approach adhered to when Tonio Borg was touted to become EU Commissioner for Health, albeit for a very short time. Moreover, the Labour Party has always supported initiatives proposed by the Nationalist Party that could assist our beloved nation to prosper e.g. the support by the late Lino Spiteri to the PN’s initiative to promote Malta as a centre of excellence for financial services way back in the 1990s.
Based on the most recent polls it is quite clear that the Labour Party is heading for another comfortable victory. Robert Abela will be sworn in as PM, with a fresh mandate, on his own steam. In the next legislature further reforms will be enacted to ensure good governance and that will be subject to the EU’s scrutiny. Remaining in sync with the EU’s deliverables is of paramount importance. Hence, our co-national Roberta Metsola, can further assist in her capacity as the newly appointed EP President.
All in all, Roberta Metsola can now be considered as another asset to the existing power women of the EU alongside Madame Christine Lagarde – President of the European Central Bank and Madame Von der Leyen – President of the EU Commission. The current political crisis in Ukraine and the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic alongside the ongoing influx of immigrants on the EU’s borders are issues to keep the power women of the EU pretty occupied. Hopefully, with their motherly love and discipline they will deliver a positive outcome to each of these.
As for Roberta, having been elected as EP President is a clear sign of her astuteness. Best of luck Roberta in any of your endeavours!
Dr.Ivan Grixti is a senior lecturer in Financial Accounting at the University of Malta