Labour MEP Thomas Bajada confirmed on Wednesday that he voted for Roberta Metsola in Tuesday’s European Parliament Presidential elections

He was the only PL MEP who voted for her, after his colleagues Alex Agius Saliba and Daniel Attard said both abstained from the vote.

By abstaining, the two MEPs went against the indications of Prime Minister Robert Abela.

In comments on Wednesday, Bajada said he believed it important to push forward any Maltese in high positions in the EU, despite saying that his vote does not mean that he agrees with her, or that they agree on everything.

Meanwhile, Bajada also announced the EP committees he will make part of, with his main ones being the EP’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Fisheries (PECH).

As his subsidiary committee, Bajada will be involved in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON).

Bajada said that the Fisheries Committee was a natural choice for him given his academic background and professional experience in the sector.

He said that the EU should work on strengthening international cooperation to ensure a level playing field with third countries in Mediterranean Sea fishing.

Bajada advocated for a European policy that is fair and sustainable for fishermen, especially those on the small scale.

On the ENVI Committee, Bajada said that there is the need to boost environmental policy which focuses on improving public health and food supply safety, and the opportunity for innovation and technology to bring protection for the environment for future generations.

He said that environmental measures should also be based on principles of social justice and thus consider the specific realities of Malta.

Bajada also called for initiatives aimed at mental and cardiovascular health, and how our well-being is linked to the environment around us.

Bajada said he will also advocate for sustainable economic growth that promotes stability, not only financially, but also ecologically and socially to benefit everyone.

He spoke on the importance of the interests of workers, whether small or medium, and facilitating ambitions for youth.

Bajada also spoke about his priorities, one of which being youth and equal opportunities for Maltese and Gozitan youth to those of other European youth, where they can achieve their dreams and aspirations.

On the Maltese identity, Bajada spoke of the preservation of what makes Maltese special and unique in Europe, as well as the promotion of culture, heritage, and language, so that they do not get lost in globalisation.

Thirdly, Bajada spoke about priorities for Gozo, where “its natural beauty and unique economic potential should be at the heart of our work in Brussels.”

He spoke of a European policy that considers the unique realities of Gozo, as well its sustainable and holistic development to ensure that the island grows without losing its character.