A debate on the rule of law in the European Parliament saw Maltese MEPs sharply disagree over the state of Malta’s institutions, the handling of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder and the European Commission’s response to concerns about corruption.

Nationalist MEP Peter Agius argued that the Commission had failed to adequately address the situation in Malta, accusing it of repeatedly issuing rule-of-law assessments that gave the government a “clean bill of health” despite continuing concerns over good governance.

He criticised the police commissioner and attorney general, describing the former as a “tool” of the government and the latter as a “puppet”. Agius also questioned the outcome of the Yorgen Fenech trial, arguing that the fact that Fenech had been acquitted of commissioning Caruana Galizia’s murder left important questions about accountability unanswered.

“The facts do not prove you right, because we are here because nine years later the instigator is still not in prison,” he said.

Agius further accused the government of restricting access to justice by stopping members of the public from requesting magisterial inquiries, and called on the European Commission to pay closer attention to corruption and governance in Malta.

He said EU membership was about more than financial support and access to the single market, arguing that the bloc should also serve as a safeguard for democracy and fundamental rights.

Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba rejected Agius’s approach, insisting that justice for Caruana Galizia should not be pursued by undermining Malta’s judicial system.

“Peter Agius does not deserve to be called a Maltese representative here in this European Parliament,” he said.

Agius Saliba maintained that the investigators, police and prosecution had done their work and gathered the necessary evidence. He also pointed out that the Attorney General’s Office had appealed the sentence against Fenech.

While acknowledging that Malta’s institutions were not perfect, Agius Saliba said the country had implemented reforms after years of recommendations from European bodies, including the Venice Commission. He accused the Nationalist opposition of using the issue for political gain and questioned why a Maltese representative would ask the Commission to take a tougher stance against his own country.

David Casa, another PN MEP, argued that the state of Malta’s institutions remained a serious concern, pointing to the outcome of the trial and the lack of progress on recommendations following the public inquiry into Caruana Galizia’s assassination.

Casa said he could not claim that the country’s institutions had regained their integrity or that those responsible for ordering the murder were in prison.

He described Fenech’s acquittal as “a big blow to justice” and said the case reflected “a failure of the Maltese state”. Referring to the public inquiry, Casa said it had concluded that the state had created a climate of impunity that contributed to the journalist’s murder, and claimed that most of its recommendations remained unimplemented five years later.

Casa also rejected the suggestion that criticism of Malta’s institutions damaged the country, arguing that speaking up for justice should not be equated with disloyalty to Malta.

Labour MEP Thomas Bajada focused on the importance of protecting journalism, saying Caruana Galizia’s murder showed the risks faced by journalists who investigate wrongdoing and challenge those in power.

“One of the biggest threats to journalism today is lies disguised as news,” he said, warning that fabricated stories and misleading information undermined trust in professional journalism. He called for stronger independent media, effective safeguards for journalists and better public protection against misinformation.

The debate prompted a reaction in Malta, with Prime Minister Robert Abela criticising the interventions of two PN MEPs in Parliament later on Wednesday.

Abela said he was “disgusted” by their remarks and accused them of causing “irreparable damage to our country”. He specifically referred to Casa’s statements about the integrity of Malta’s institutions, urging the MEPs to “stop this type of damage against our country”.

Drawing a comparison with the period when Simon Busuttil led the Nationalist Party, Abela said the latest episode was worse and warned that the public would remember the impact of their actions.

“The people will not forget this, they will not forget the damage you have done over the past few years,” he said.

Abela maintained that he would continue to defend Malta’s interests in Brussels and do everything possible to put the country first.