1. How would you describe your political/leadership style in three words?
Hard working, goal oriented and loyal. These three are in my opinion the recipe for success in any career, particularly a political one. Failure to adhere to these and failure to use them as one’s benchmark in his or her work would be a disservice to our local and European constituents.
2. What is the smallest change you have made in your career that has had the biggest positive result?
I decided to take on the Work Life Balance Directive as the lead rapporteur. Ironically, this resulted in limited personal work-life balance for the two years I spent working on it. However, as of next year parents and carers across the EU will benefit from increased rights and will have more leave to spend time with their families. It is this tangible benefit for the lives of citizens that is the focus of my work.
3. What one item would you save from your house or apartment/house if it was on fire? (Apart from your photo album)
A framed photo of Daphne Caruana Galizia that I have in my living room. Daphne’s courage, bravery and integrity is something that we should all admire. The past few years of my political journey have been shaped in order to seek truth and justice for her assassination in 2017.
4. Is there anything you have personally achieved or done that would surprise people?
I love the theatre. In my youth, I had a short stint as an actor and played lead roles in productions in Malta. I have very fond and rewarding memories of that experience.
5. What was the most inspirational and influential book you have read and why?
The Politics of Persuasion by the late Guido de Marco. Dr de Marco, who was a former President and Deputy Prime Minister of Malta, is a person who I had the honour of working for at a very young age. His integrity and strength in delivering results has inspired me for years.