In an overwhelming vote during the European Parliament’s constitutive plenary session in Strasbourg last week, MEPs approved a resolution reaffirming their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, and calling for all EU and NATO countries to significantly increase military aid to Ukraine. In this light, they demanded a collective commitment of at least 0.25% of each nation’s GDP annually. It was the very first official stance, taken by the newly elected Parliament.

All MEPs belonging to the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) voted in favour of the resolution except for a mere four, including all three members hailing from the Maltese Labour Party (PL): Alex Agius Saliba, Daniel Attard, and Thomas Bajada.

This vote in plenary was taken only a few days after the S&D approved its Charter of Women’s Rights, a comprehensive document aimed at establishing uniform, Europe-wide standards for women’s rights. It’s a key initiative of the political group, and the three Maltese MEPs were the only ones not to endorse it – because it advocated for the “right to legal, safe, universal and affordable abortion care and services”.

A good fit?

On the margins of the European Parliament plenary, The Journal sat down with Alex Agius Saliba, head of the PL delegation in the S&D, and asked him a straightforward question: does the PL feel it fits well with the S&D, given the divergences its delegation has with the group on such important issues?

Agius Saliba’s response was as direct as our inquiry. He affirmed the PL’s strong alignment with the S&D, emphasising a mutual satisfaction with the partnership. As a testament to this, the S&D has once again elected a Maltese MEP, Agius Saliba himself, as one of its nine vice presidents. This appointment, secured last month, saw him retain the Digital Agenda portfolio and take on additional responsibilities for the group’s communication and strategy.

He explained that there’s an ongoing dialogue within the S&D, with the Maltese delegation (or its individual members) always explaining their stance to the other members when they disagree with the group’s official position. “For example, before the recent vote on the resolution on Ukraine, I stated clearly that we would oppose it if the particular paragraph about member states’ commitment to supporting Ukraine militarily with no less than 0.25 % of their GDP annually remained there,” said Agius Saliba. The Maltese delegation outlined Malta’s unique circumstances, highlighting the Maltese Constitution’s stance on military neutrality, which serves as the cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy. “Our colleagues expressed understanding of our position,” he remarked.

Keeping to the same subject matter, he said he couldn’t understand why the MEPs representing the Maltese Nationalist Party voted in favour of the resolution since it contradicts Malta’s foreign policy, which is founded on neutrality, non-alignment, and dialogue for peace and stability.

What about abortion?

The Head of the PL’s delegation in the S&D spoke about a mutual understanding that exists and that sees the PL supporting all women’s rights as defined by the S&D, except for abortion. “This arrangement allows us to vote freely on this issue while maintaining open communication within the group,” Alex Agius Saliba explained. “We consistently engage in dialogue, providing clear justifications for our votes, which fosters trust among our political family.”

He clarified that the Maltese members of the S&D could not sign their political group’s Charter of Women’s Rights because there was no option to do so while declaring their lack of agreement with the part that defines abortion as a right.

A matter of principle

Contrary to several national parliamentary systems, such as Malta’s, the European Parliament does not operate with a whip system. The institution is characterised by a more decentralised and diverse political landscape compared to many national parliaments, and the political groups exert influence over their members’ voting behaviour through a combination of factors that include discipline and pressure. Yet, the right to independent judgment is a fundamental aspect of the role of MEPs, who ultimately remain independent representatives of their constituents.

Not even the head of a national delegation has the right or power to oblige the other members in the delegation to vote in one way or another, Alex Agius Saliba pointed out. He emphasised that every MEP represents the specific interests of their constituents, and should base their positions on the core principles for which they were elected. “Politics is about principles. MEPs must be clear about their values, both before and after election. Voters choose candidates who share their beliefs.”

Ackowledging that many disagree with his position in favour of certain minorities, such as hunters, he said he understands that those people will vote for other candidates. He then dived straight into the controversy that ensued after he manifestly abstained in the secret paper ballot held to elect the European Parliament’s chief: “Even though I abstained from voting for Roberta Metsola as President of the European Parliament, no one can say they were shocked by my position because I had been clear during the electoral campaign,” he said. “The 64,000 people who voted for me knew my position and I was representing their will. This openness between voters and their representatives is essential, especially in the complex environment of the European Parliament.”

Main photo: Shutterstock/Alexandros Michailidis via Euractiv