Up until last year, Malta had no women MEPs. Now it has one of the best national records for female representation in the European Parliament. The question is, how will women candidates fare in this month’s election? Times of Malta asks them why they think they deserve our backing.
Why did you enter politics?
Roberta Metsola [PN]: I believe that if you want to make a difference and bring about change, you should put yourself forward to do so. Politics for me is a means to do just that.
Miriam Dalli [PL]: To make a positive change. I want to help formulate policies that can provide a better future for our families and our children.
Helga Ellul [PN]: To give something back to my adopted country, Malta, where I have lived for 40 years, made my career and raised my family. During these years, I have come to appreciate the values that drive most Maltese, as well as the economic potential of these islands.
Fleur Vella [PL]: I have been feeling this vocation for a long time. I just want to be a voice for people’s problems.
Marlene Mizzi [PL]: Only to serve; to contribute to making my country better; to be a defender of minorities; to be a voice for the citizens – no more, no less.
Deborah Schembri [PL]: I entered politics to push forward positive changes that will make a difference in people’s daily lives.
All voters should vote for candidates who can best represent them at the European Parliament and negotiate on their behalf, irrespective of gender- Helga Ellul
Therese Comodini Cachia [PN]: As a lawyer dealing with social injustices, abuse of power and violations of human rights, entering politics was the next natural step for me to continue helping individuals and ensuring a just society.
Why does Malta need you in the European Parliament?
Roberta Metsola [PN]: Around 80 per cent of all legislation implemented in Malta is first negotiated in the EP, so having a strong voice there is indispensable.
Miriam Dalli [PL]: In view of my experience in communications, I believe I can be the voice of the Maltese in Europe and provide them with the information they need to make the most of EU membership.
Helga Ellul [PN]: I can utilise my extensive experience in manufacturing, HR management and business strategy to benefit my constituents. An MEP also requires the necessary skills to debate and negotiate successfully on issues that matter to them.
Fleur Vella [PL]: My experience of EU negotiations and in a small business gives me a unique insight into how to communicate between the distant worlds of the EU bureaucrat and the small business person.
I hope the electorate will vote for every candidate on the PN ticket- Roberta Metsola
Marlene Mizzi [PL]: I am an economist and an entrepreneur, backed with experience in various sectors of the economy... I bring to the table a mix of academia and practical experience necessary when analysing reports and taking decisions... I am also not afraid to stand up to be counted in the interest of my country and its citizens. This is what the EP is all about.
Deborah Schembri [PL]: Malta needs MEPs who are good communicators because, as a small country, it relies a great deal on lobbying, it needs hard workers because it is not an easy task keeping up with all the work and it needs MEPs who keep Malta’s interests as an absolute priority, irrespective of who is in government.
Therese Comodini Cachia [PN]: Malta needs representatives who feel Maltese European and are willing to strive for a better Malta within Europe.
What do you bring to the table that other candidates do not?
Roberta Metsola [PN]: My experience as a lawyer specialised in European law, and having previously served in three of the EU’s institutions help me a great deal when negotiating different dossiers in my role as MEP.
Miriam Dalli [PL]: I believe my enthusiasm, determination, loyalty and communication skills can help me push forward the policies families need.
Helga Ellul [PN]: My experience and track record speak for themselves. Under my leadership, Playmobil Malta became a major player in Malta’s manufacturing industry, and by the time I retired, we were employing more than 1,000 people [from an initial 50].
Fleur Vella [PL]: I am able to communicate with the most technical of bureaucrats and the humblest of self-employed.
Marlene Mizzi [PL]: I will let the electorate decide.
Deborah Schembri [PL]: All candidates on the PL ticket are very competent people in their own right, but I believe my legal background is very helpful when it comes to working in a legislative institution. My experience as a campaigner and the fact that I get my message across without much fanfare give me my competitive edge.
Therese Comodini Cachia [PN]: Besides professional experience, it is my personality and the way I do things that distinguishes me from others. I think I am capable of persuading through convincing arguments and this is a key ability required by MEPs.
What are the two main issues you plan to be most active about as an MEP?
Roberta Metsola [PN]: Job creation and immigration.
I believe my legal background is very helpful when it comes to working in a legislative institution- Deborah Schembri
Miriam Dalli [PL]: Job creation and making it easier for businesses to tap EU funds.
Helga Ellul [PN]: Job creation and youth employability.
Fleur Vella [PL]: Small businesses and unemployment.
Marlene Mizzi [PL]: The same as those that have dominated my one-year stint in the EP: the creation of jobs/education and immigration.
Deborah Schembri [PL]: Civil rights issues like those relating to irregular migration and work-related issues.
Therese Comodini Cachia [PN]: Employment and immigration.
What are three values or key words that best represent you?
Roberta Metsola [PN]: Persistence, listening and preparation.
Miriam Dalli [PL]: Energetic, determined and loyal towards the people I want to represent.
Helga Ellul [PN]: Hard-working, focused, results-oriented.
Fleur Vella [PL]: Sensitive, determined and consistent.
Marlene Mizzi [PL]: Determined, hard-working, trustworthy.
Deborah Schembri [PL]: I am caring, a perfectionist and a workaholic.
Therese Comodini Cachia [PN]: I think this is something others must judge, but I serve in politics by listening to the stakeholders and working energetically, with determination, honesty and integrity.
If you couldn’t vote for yourself, who is your second choice? Why?
Roberta Metsola [PN]: I hope the electorate will vote for every candidate on the PN ticket. We share core beliefs and will work as a team for the benefit of all Maltese and Gozitans.
I just want to be a voice for people’s problems- Fleur Vella
Miriam Dalli [PL]: I think I’d vote for Alfred Sant in view of his experience and knowledge of EU affairs.
Helga Ellul [PN]: Considering the challenges Malta and Europe are facing, I would always opt for candidates who share my priorities.
Fleur Vella [PL]: It would certainly be someone within the Labour Party as I believe we have the best team. But I cannot choose one.
Marlene Mizzi [PL]: Candidates who share my same values.
Deborah Schembri [PL]: Voting is like kissing: there is always someone special who gets the honour, but you shouldn’t kiss and tell.
Therese Comodini Cachia [PN]: My choice would be the PN candidates because they are the ones who truly believe in Malta as a full and equal member of the EU.
What do you consider to be your career highlight: politics or work?
Roberta Metsola [PN]: All pieces of legislation I have worked for have particular significance to me, particularly when I helped negotiate the Lisbon Treaty, which saw Malta granted a sixth seat in the EP.
Miriam Dalli [PL]: Looking back on my journalistic career, I’m glad to have produced a number of award-winning programmes. I’m also satisfied that I managed to juggle my career and family life. From an academic point of view, getting warranted as a lawyer was extremely important to me.
Helga Ellul [PN]: My years at Playmobil naturally marked my professional life to a considerable extent. Apart from the satisfaction of seeing the factory grow and the business side flourish, the human aspect of it was the most memorable.
Fleur Vella [PL]: I think the biggest challenge was to leave a secure job as a senior economist for one in a micro enterprise. However, it was a shift from simply studying enterprises to actually running one. It’s like moving from being a spectator to being on stage in theatre.
I think I would vote for Alfred Sant in view of his experience andknowledge of EU affairs- Miriam Dalli
Marlene Mizzi [PL]: In politics, being the first Maltese woman to be elected to the EP.
Deborah Schembri [PL]: Seeing all the hard work pay off when the divorce referendum was won with 15,000 votes in favour.
Therese Comodini Cachia [PN]: As a practising lawyer, I have represented those claiming a violation of their fundamental rights. I find each of these proceedings are highlights in my professional career as I sought to address abuse of power. The highlight of my involvement in politics is certainly campaigning for the upcoming EP election.
What are the things that you have failed to accomplish so far in your career? What lessons have you learnt?
Roberta Metsola [PN]: I became an MEP in the last year of the legislature so many dossiers had already been negotiated and my ability to influence was hampered by the fact that I got there late. I learnt we cannot take anything for granted and whoever is elected must hit the ground running.
Miriam Dalli [PL]: So far, I have always managed to achieve the targets I set for myself. What I definitely have learnt along the way is to take the plunge and look ahead. If you impose limits upon yourself, then you limit your progression.
Helga Ellul [PN]: Despite my experience in international business and HR management, and although I have worked closely with national stakeholders and the government over the years, I have never had the opportunity to be in a position to influence policy at a European level. This is the challenge I would like to address through my MEP candidacy.
Fleur Vella [PL]: Looking for shortcuts never leads to sustainable and long-term relationships. Therefore patient dedication is the only route to success. I have always sought to build things slowly but surely.
Marlene Mizzi [PL]: My attitude to life is that it is a journey not a destination. Therefore there are loads of things I have not achieved yet and so much more to learn.
Deborah Schembri [PL]: I see life and my career as a journey, so it’s not a matter of what I have failed to accomplish as much as a matter of what I haven’t accomplished yet.
Therese Comodini Cachia [PN]: I am not really one to dwell on failures, but I do consider what I could have done better in each situation I try to address. The most fundamental lesson in politics is that it’s not about you but about the electorate, their needs and aspirations.
How do you plan to justify your salary as an MEP?
Roberta Metsola [PN]: I will continue to do my utmost in the best interests of all the people I represent on every dossier that is negotiated and to repay their trust in me as their voice in Europe.
Miriam Dalli [PL]: By working hard for the people I will be representing and bringing home tangible results that improve the lives of Maltese citizens.
The PN candidates are the ones who truly believe in Malta as a full and equal member of the EU- Therese Comodini Cachia
Helga Ellul [PN]: I have always given my best and satisfied the expectations of those who put their trust in me. Given my background, I have made it clear that my presence at the EP would be a focused one, targeting those areas where I feel I can contribute most.
Fleur Vella [PL]: Through hard work to improve people’s lives. If I do not achieve that, I would not have done my job.
Marlene Mizzi [PL]: The only way to justify whatever it is I am paid for is to do my job to the best of my abilities and deliver what is expected of me with the effectiveness, accountability, transparency and integrity expected from an MEP.
Deborah Schembri [PL]: I am the type of person who takes work very seriously; I believe anything that is worth doing is worth doing well and that has always seen me give my work my all.
Therese Comodini Cachia [PN]: An MEP’s salary is justified provided the MEP is dedicated, hard-working, actively represents the concerns of her electorate and works towards achieving measures that address those concerns.
Should women voters make it a point to vote for women candidates at this election? Why?
I am not afraid to stand up to be counted in the interest of my country and its citizens- Marlene Mizzi
Roberta Metsola [PN]: People should vote for those candidates they feel best represent their views, whose experience they can rely on, whose vision for Malta in the EU matches theirs and whose values they share.
Miriam Dalli [PL]: I believe women and men alike should vote for those candidates who can represent them in the best possible manner. I believe we have strong women candidates who can achieve this.
Helga Ellul [PN]: All voters should vote for candidates who can best represent them at the EP and negotiate on their behalf, irrespective of gender.
Fleur Vella [PL]: I think everyone should vote for whoever they prefer.
Marlene Mizzi [PL]: I think the electorate should vote for the candidates they think will best represent them in the EP, irrespective of whether they are men or women. As I believe in equality, I hope the current ratio of 50/50 gender representation will be retained.
Deborah Schembri [PL]: Both men and women should vote for candidates they believe will get things done. Having said that, I remind voters of what Margaret Thatcher once said: “If you want things said, ask a man. If you want things done, ask a woman.” Enough said.
Therese Comodini Cachia [PN]: Women and men should vote for women candidates as they are equally capable of representing them and also because having women MEPs will continue to strengthen debate at the EP.