PN’s leader Alex Borg questions timing of debate on eve of EU summit

The government has scheduled a parliamentary debate for Wednesday to address the Opposition’s “attacks on Malta’s reputation”, prompting PN leader Alex Borg to claim it was deliberately timed to stop him from attending an EU summit in Brussels.

Motion 431, titled ‘Motion to condemn the behaviour of the Opposition’, was tabled by government whip Naomi Cachia on Friday and raised in parliament on Monday.

Cachia urged for the debate and vote to be held on Wednesday, the day before the European People’s Party (EPP) summit in Brussels, and a day after the European Parliament debate on Malta’s rule of law.

“Once again the Opposition has pushed for a debate in the EU parliament that will put our Malta in bad light,” Cachia said, referring to Tuesday’s debate in Brussels.

She added that Wednesday’s local debate would focus on the government’s reforms over recent years.

Opposition whip Robert Cutajar said the whips claims were “far from the truth”. While he accepted holding the debate on Wednesday, he objected to the vote, citing short notice and logistical concerns.

In a letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela, Borg expressed concern that the timing of the parliamentary debate was intended to obstruct his attendance at the EPP summit.

Still, Borg said he would prioritise national interest and attend the parliamentary debate.

“The national interest and the interests of the Maltese must always come first,” he said.

Borg also rejected claims that the PN was acting against Malta’s interests. Instead, he blamed the government for the country’s reputational setbacks, including its greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force and the rejection of three government nominees for senior EU positions.

He urged Abela to “prioritise the national interest above any partisan consideration”.

The Labour Party meanwhile released a statement claiming Borg had failed to convince PN MEP David Casa to withdraw Tuesday’s EU parliamentary debate.

“Alex Borg did not manage to convince his own MEP David Casa to withdraw the debate against Malta in the European Parliament,” it said.

They added: “Casa’s line prevailed and tomorrow in the European Parliament there will once again be an attack on our country.”

The statement also said the final word within the PN belonged to Casa.