Updated 8.05pm
The world is watching Malta to ensure the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder is independent and thorough, European Commission first vice-president Frans Timmermans told MEPs tonight.
“Malta must show to Europe and the world that its rules and regulations are healthy and robust,” he said. “If problems of a more general or systemic nature are brought to light, they must also be addressed, regardless of the consequences.”
In a 45-minute debate which will have left Maltese government officials shifting in their seats, MEPs from the European Parliament's various political groupings expressed horror at the brutal murder and stressed they would be keeping a close watch on the way the investigation unfolded.
Questions about the Commission's role in investigating rule of law concerns in Malta prompted Mr Timmermans to assure MEPs that the Commission would not shy away from probing Maltese authorities if the investigation revealed concerns of a more system nature.
Estonian minister and EU Council representative Mattis Maasikas offered Estonian assistance and said he was confident Maltese authorities were up to the task of investigating the murder. But that confidence stood in sharp relief to the scepticism voiced by many MEPs in the Strasbourg chamber.
Stinging criticism
If Mr Timmermans’ words made local officials squirm, brief speeches by European Conservatives and Reformists MEP Monica Macovei and ALDE’s Sophia in ‘t Veld will have added to their discomfort, as they noted Ms Caruana Galizia had made some damning claims about the sitting administration.
“Who is going to investigate the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister and entire government of Malta should resign,” thundered Ms Macovei.
Ms in ‘t Veld said she expected clarifications from the Maltese government about allegations Ms Caruana Galizia had made, and told Mr Timmermans that while the European Commission could not conduct a murder investigation, it could investigate corruption claims.
“If one member state does not uphold the rule of law, the entire system fails,” she argued, as she suggested MEPs should summon a special committee session to quiz Maltese authorities about local governance concerns.
Green MEP Sven Giegold, a long-time critic of Malta’s economic system and the Muscat government, went for the jugular.
It is clear, he argued, why perpetrators had chosen to place a bomb under Ms Caruana Galizia’s car rather than under that of the police commissioner or Attorney General.
“It is up to us to finish Daphne’s fight,” he said, as he called for an international investigator to look into money laundering claims related to Malta, the European Commission to scrutinise rule of law concerns in Malta, the Muscat government to step down and for a special prize for investigative journalism bearing Ms Caruana Galizia’s name to be instituted.
'We failed Daphne'
European People’s Party MEP Esteban Gonzalez Pons, who also called for an investigation into the rule of law in Malta, expressed his disgust at the way Ms Caruana Galizia had been harassed.
“She died with 42 [court] cases against her and without access to her bank account. They began killing her already before they finished her off,” he hissed. “We failed Daphne. Europe failed her.”
S&D grouping head Gianni Pitella opted for a less confrontational tone. Drawing on a comparison from his Italian homeland, Mr Pitella said Italy had overcome the horrors of Mafia bombs which killed judged judges Paolo Borsellino and Giovanni Falcone through unity.
“We managed to hold sway because we were united. Those who treasure freedom of thought must now stand together,” he said.
Earlier today, MEPs held a minute's silence in memory of Ms Caruana Galizia as her three sons looked on. The Strasbourg press conference room, the European Parliament also said today, would be renamed in her honour.
MEPs held a minute's silence today at noon. Photo: Reuters/Christian Hartmann