Will Roberta Metsola Remain As EP President?

Jul 15 2024

Since the European Parliament was established in 1952, it has had 33 Presidents, including EU founding fathers Paul Henri Spaak and Robert Schuman.

Roberta Metsola, elected in January 2022, became the 33rd President and only the third woman to hold this position. The previous female Presidents were Simone Veil in 1979 and Nicole Fontaine in 1999, both from France.

Roberta Metsola is the first Maltese President of the European Parliament and the youngest ever to hold the position. As she seeks a second term next week, Metsola could become the first female President to serve two consecutive terms and only the second President ever to do so.

The only EP President to serve two terms so far is German Socialist Martin Schulz, who served from 2012 to 2017.

There is no limit on the number of terms a candidate can run for EP President.

The election process is outlined in Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (rules 14 to 16). The current President, Roberta Metsola, will open Tuesday’s session before Vice President Pina Picierno takes over to preside over the election.

Candidates have five minutes each to present their case. Metsola is currently the sole nominee, with the nomination deadline closing on Monday at 19:00. If she remains unopposed, the election may proceed by acclamation, expediting the process.

Following the election, the new President may give a statement and then oversee the election of Vice Presidents.

#MaltaDaily

Newly Elected MEP Shares Old Photo Of Himself AT EU Parliament

Jul 15 2024

Newly elected Thomas Bajada, who earned his seat on the Labour Party ticket, shred an old photo of himself at the European Parliament, holding up a Maltese flag.

‘This morning I am on my way to Strasbourg to start my mandate as an MEP’, he wrote on social media.

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‘I remembered when in 2006 I visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg during a Euroscola visit as part of a choir I was part of – Gozo’s Chorus Urbanus – along with 24 other choirs from other countries in the EU.’

‘Tomorrow, I visit the same building with honour, this time as a representative of the Maltese and Gozitan people.’

#MaltaDaily

Swieqi Vice Mayor Distributes Books During Power Cut

Jul 15 2024

Swieqi vice mayor Jordan Galea Pace decided to distribute some books to the residents of his locality as they faced another power cut in the heat of summer.

In a statement, Galea Pace said that he’s seen power cuts become the norm under this administration.

‘ The only solution they offered us was to read a book’, he said, in reference to Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli’s past suggestion to read books until the power comes back on. ‘How many books can Swieqi residents actually read?’

‘At around 11:00 PM, residents contacted me about another power outage. As a councilor and deputy mayor, all I can do is speak out for them and be their voice’.

‘I left a book with a note on several doorsteps in Swieqi since that’s the only solution this administration has provided. We were promised no power cuts in summer. Another failed promise and lie.’

‘I have a book saved for Miriam Dalli titled ‘Qabża Oħra ta’ Kwalità’—I suggest she gives it a read.’

#MaltaDaily

Homeless Persons Sleeping At City Stairs: Lift Inoperable

Jul 15 2024

As the Valletta lift remains inoperable, the Valletta city gate stairs have become citizens’ only means of movement up and down the city.

However, the stairs have been left in a desperate state and have also become a shelter for homeless persons in the capital city.

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The lift was installed six years ago as part of a €5 million project, with Times of Malta reporting the then mayor’s complaints over the ordeal.

‘The lift that connects Ġnien Laparelli to City Gate has been out of service for at least a year but has been beset with maintenance issues since 2019’, Times of Malta had reported last year.

‘It was installed as part of the multimillion euro restoration of the Valletta ditch, which former prime minister Joseph Muscat hailed as “a positive example of urban greenery”.’

The article continued to highlight other citizens’ issues concerning the lift and stairs, including a then pregnant woman and employee.

#MaltaDaily