The tensions between Malta and the European Union are at “an all-time high” in spite of the election of PN MEP Roberta Metsola as president of the European Parliament, eureporter.co says.

EU Reporter is a Brussels-based news website publishing content relating to the European Union, and was founded in 2002

In an article entitled “EU-Malta relations in last chance saloon after historic Roberta Metsola election”, eureporter.co reports that Metsola’s “meteoric rise is in stark contrast to her own country’s downward spiral into the geopolitical gutters after a string of corruption scandals involving a plethora of politicians, domestic businesses, and hostile foreign entities over recent years”.

For all Metsola’s success, Malta now suffers the indignity of being branded ‘a high-risk state’ for money laundering and corrupt activity as Europe’s only member of the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list since June 2021, the report goes on.

It then speaks about Malta’s strengthening of ties with “questionable allies”, such as China and Russia, and highlights the use of the golden passports scheme as being seen by the EU as “tantamount to sabotage”.

“On one hand, Metsola could become a driving force within the EU to facilitate the rehabilitation of Malta’s political and financial system…. Alternatively, Malta is simply too far gone and the job too great for Metsola, even with the might of the EU behind her.”

Read full report here