“Tomorrow (Wednesday) I will give the Maltese Press present here in Strasbourg an insight of my future committments within the European Parliament and how I see my work contributing to Malta for the next five years,” Labour MEP Thomas Bajada told The Journal  on the margins of the Parliament’s constitutive plenary session.

“I believe it is essential to provide the Maltese media and people with a comprehensive explanation. I want to open the channels between Brussels and Malta,” he said. The Journal is informed that Bajada has been chosen to be a member of three standing committees of the European Parliament, which he will announce at the Press conference.

Amongst other things, he will also be outlining his vote during Tuesday’s plenary session. In the secret paper ballot for the election of the European Parliament’s President for the next two and a half years, held on Tuesday morning, Bajada did not publicly declare how he voted.

UPDATED: During the meeting with the Press, Thomas Bajada explained:

“I voted for Roberta (Metsola), even though she comes from a different political party and has different political views. I did so because I wanted to vote for a Maltese like me, because I believe that we need Maltese voices in the European and international institutions’ highest positions.

This doesn’t mean I’ll agree with everything she does or how she sees national and global politics. However, whenever a Maltese or Gozitan person is nominated for an important post on the European or international level, all Maltese and Gozitans should be committed to working with them to carry this responsibility. It’s important to have Maltese and Gozitans like us at the forefront, representing our realities.

I urge Roberta to champion our country’s specific interests.  Our country’s unique realities set us apart.  In every decision, every action, I want to see her place Malta’s needs at the forefront.”

Labour’s only Gozitan candidate in last month’s European election, Bajada received 10,792 first preference votes. Before throwing his name in the hat, he served as technical attaché on fisheries at Malta’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels and for four years has represented Malta on the Council of the EU in negotiations related to aquaculture.