{{short description|Maltese politician|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Cyrus Engerer | image = File:CyrusEngerer_(cropped).jpg | caption = Cyrus Engerer | office1 = [[Member of the European Parliament]] | term_start1 = 5 November 2020 | term_end1 = 14 July 2024 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|09|28|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Tas-Sliema]], [[Malta]] | party = [[Labour Party (Malta)|Labour Party]] (2011–present)<br/>[[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]] (2003–2011) | committees = Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food safety Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Constitutional Affairs Committee | alma_mater = [[College of Europe]]<br /> [[University of Malta]] | known_for = Civil Rights & Environmental Activist | website = [http://cyrusengerer.com/ cyrusengerer.com] | spouse = [[Randolph De Battista]] }}
'''Cyrus Engerer''' is a former Maltese Member of [[European Parliament]] representing the [[Labour Party (Malta)|Labour Party]]. A gay rights activist, he was a spokesperson for the Yes campaign at the [[2011 Maltese divorce referendum]]. In 2021, he was tasked with negotiating the European Parliament's historic resolution on the declaration of the European Union as an LGBTQ Freedom zone, in reaction to the establishment of so called "LGBT-Free zones" in Poland. Engerer later went on to write the European Parliament's resolution which condemned the laws in Hungary which effectively banned "LGBT propaganda" in the vicinity of schools.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://lovinmalta.com/news/news-politics/after-hungarian-official-mocks-revenge-porn-conviction-mep-cyrus-engerer-denounces-spreading-of-hate/|title=After Hungarian Official Mocks Revenge Porn Conviction, MEP Cyrus Engerer Denounces 'Spreading Of Hate'|date=21 July 2021|work=Lovin Malta|accessdate=2022-01-27}}</ref> From 2014 till 2019, Engerer was the Prime Minister's special envoy to the European Union.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150316/local/pm-explains-cyrus-engerers-role-in-the-eu.560240|title=PM explains Cyrus Engerer's role in the EU|date=16 March 2015|work=The Times of Malta|accessdate=2 August 2015}}</ref> He was elected as a [[Member of the European Parliament]] in November 2020.<ref name="Elected">{{Cite web |title= Cyrus Engerer elected to replace Miriam Dalli as MEP |url= https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/cyrus-engerer-elected-to-replace-miriam-dalli-as-mep.829726 |date= November 5, 2020 |author= Claire Farrugia |access-date= 13 November 2020 |website= Times of Malta |language= en-gb}}</ref> After he joined the Labour Party, the Police of Malta opened an investigation against him, leading to his father's arrest, the opening of a court case against him on spreading pornography, and the arrest of his mother on election day. He himself was convicted for spreading revenge porn and received a suspended two years term imprisonment. <ref name="Outlawing">{{Cite web|title=Outlawing revenge porn|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/outlawing-revenge-porn.518760|access-date=2022-02-05|website=Times of Malta|language=en-gb}}</ref> He is the partner of Malta’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador [[Randolph De Battista]].
==Early life and career== Engerer read an Honours Degree in [[European Studies]] and [[Communications]] at the [[University of Malta]], graduating in 2007 with a dissertation on "The Role of the European Parliament: Developments, the Constitution and Future Prospects".<ref>{{cite web|title=The European Parliament's Legislative Power: Developments, The Constitution and Future Prospects;|url=http://www.um.edu.mt/europeanstudies/dissertations/baeur-studies|work=List of B.A. European Studies Dissertations|publisher=University of Malta|accessdate=11 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528215531/http://www.um.edu.mt/europeanstudies/dissertations/baeur-studies|archive-date=28 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> He then obtained a Master's in European Politics from the [[College of Europe]] in [[Bruges]], [[Belgium]] with a dissertation on ‘Malta Europeanised: Political Parties and Electoral Campaigns’.<ref name="CECV">{{cite web |last1=Engerer |first1=Cyrus |title=Cyrus Engerer Curricilium VItae |url=https://coleurop.academia.edu/CyrusEngerer/CurriculumVitae |website=Academia.ed |publisher=Academia.edu |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref>
Upon graduation, Engerer was recruited at the Office of the Prime Minister [[Lawrence Gonzi]] as a project manager on EU-funded projects. He later joined the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) and worked as an adviser on EU funds to various Ministries, local councils, and NGOs.<ref name=CECV></ref>
==Political career== In a highly polarised society, Engerer was raised in a politically mixed environment with his father being a traditional [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist]] supporter from [[Sliema]], and his mother, from [[Valletta]], being an activist in the [[Labour Party (Malta)|Labour Party]], with her family being ardent [[Dom Mintoff|Mintoff]] supporters.<ref name=maltatoday2010-07-27>{{cite news|last=Vassallo|first=Raphael|title=Strange bedfellows {{!}} Cyrus Engerer|url=http://maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/interview/Strange-bedfellows-Cyrus-Engerer|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=MaltaToday|date=27 July 2010}}</ref>
Engerer is known for his public stands on [[Civil and political rights|civil rights]], [[Malta]]'s [[national identity]]{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}, and the protection of the environment.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bonnici|first=Julian|date=2019-11-01|title=Labour MEP Blasts Planning Authority After Developer Gets Massive Villa On Pristine Gozitan Land|url=https://lovinmalta.com/news/labour-mep-blasts-planning-authority-after-developer-gets-massive-villa-on-pristine-gozitan-land/|access-date=2020-10-20|website=Lovin Malta|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Schembri|first=David|title=PN councillor urges action by government on cohabitation|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100326/local/pn-councillor-urges-action-by-government-on-cohabitation.299978|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=Times of Malta|date=26 September 2010}}</ref><ref name=independent2011-07-16>{{cite news|last=Borg|first=Annaliza|title=Cyrus Engerer resigns from PN and joins PL|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2011-07-16/news/cyrus-engerer-resigns-from-pn-and-joins-pl-295707/|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=The Malta Independent|date=16 July 2011}}</ref>
===Nationalist Party (2003-2011)===
Engerer's first involvement in Maltese politics was related to Malta's accession to the [[European Union]]. Convinced that membership augmented Malta's opportunities for growth, he joined the ''Moviment IVA Malta fl-Ewropa'' and campaigned for Malta's EU membership during the [[2003 Maltese European Union membership referendum|accession referendum in 2003]].
The same year, prompted by the party's positive stand on EU membership, Engerer joined the conservative [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]] (PN).
At the [[2009 administrative elections in Malta]], Engerer was elected to the [[Sliema]] Local Council, third among ten candidates. Within the Council, he was given the remit on EU affairs, EU funding, youths, and sport.<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Councils' Elections|url=http://www.electoral.gov.mt/electionindex.aspx?x=%2bhwnTRj%2bVUCvz9HueHbBpgXlxohSZoVcRLdqvg5c7jIAPofr2jLOmWFAN6S8UDHnUwEPUOFg2OPVDQ69TR9TCkdcDir3shwWMPd4817rk6DzTshu0BPWog%3d%3d|work=Sliema Local Councils' Elections 2013|publisher=Electoral Commission of Malta|accessdate=11 June 2013}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2010, Engerer was appointed deputy mayor of Sliema.<ref>{{cite news|title=Engerer appointed Sliema deputy mayor|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100924/local/engerer-appointed-sliema-deputy-mayor.328269|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=Times of Malta|date=24 September 2010}}</ref>
Engerer frequently criticised the Nationalist Party's conservative positions, especially on issues related to civil rights and liberties, while he also regularly questioned his party's democratic credentials.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schembri|first=David|title=PN councillor urges action by government on cohabitation|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100326/local/pn-councillor-urges-action-by-government-on-cohabitation.299978|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=Times of Malta|date=26 March 2010}}</ref> Commentators like Raphael Vassallo noted that his progressive views on [[divorce]] and [[gay rights]] would have made him more at ease in a European liberal party than in the traditionally conservative Nationalist Party.<ref name=maltatoday2010-07-27/> During the last PN General Council he attended, Engerer went as far as hinting that the [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]] was cut off from society's realities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kunsill Generali PN — Ottubru 2010 - L-Ewwel Sessjoni: Cyrus Engerer|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc5QPyWFlRU|publisher=pn.org.mt|accessdate=11 June 2013}}</ref>
====2011 Divorce referendum ==== During the referendum campaign for the introduction of divorce legislation in Malta in 2011, Engerer joined the Yes Movement ''Iva Għad-Divorzju, Iva Għaż-Żwieġ'' and was also the leading spokesperson for the Stand Up campaign.<ref>{{cite news|title=StandUP — new movement in favour of divorce formed|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110505/local/standup-new-movement-in-favour-of-divorce-formed.363822|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=Times of Malta|date=5 May 2011}}</ref>
The long referendum campaign not only brought the progressive voices together. but also led the country's conservative forces (including the Nationalist Party) to hold a joint campaign against divorce. Notwithstanding the religious pressure that was exerted by the Catholic Church on the Maltese population, the Yes campaign [[2011 Maltese divorce referendum|won 52.67%]] of the votes. Despite the electorate's clear vote, Prime Minister [[Lawrence Gonzi]] stated he would vote ‘no’ in parliament, against the will of the majority.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM says he will vote No on divorce in parliament|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110713/local/gonzi.375350|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=Times of Malta|date=13 July 2011}}</ref> The statement spurred Engerer to declare he would resign from the party's structures if its leader and Prime Minister did vote against the will of the Maltese. Engerer stated that "[[Lawrence Gonzi]] no longer represents the Maltese population, he has committed political suicide and if he has the country's and the party's interest at heart should resign immediately."
Gonzi ultimately voted against divorce, which led Engerer to resign from the Nationalist Party on 15 July 2011 and join the [[Labour Party (Malta)|Labour Party]] led by [[Joseph Muscat]], who had personally campaigned for the introduction of divorce legislation and other civil liberties.<ref>{{cite news|title=PN Sliema Deputy Mayor resigns, joins Labour|url=http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20110715-pn-sliema-deputy-mayor-calls-for-gonzi-to-resign|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=Maltastar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Joseph Muscat to campaign in run-up to referendum|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110317/local/joseph-muscat-to-campaign-in-run-up-to-referendum.355069|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=Times of Malta|date=17 March 2011}}</ref>
===Labour Party (2013)=== [[File:Cyrus Engerer addressing PL AGM 2013.JPG|thumb|Cyrus Engerer addressing the [[Labour Party (Malta)|Labour Party]]'s 2013 Annual General Conference which launched the electoral manifesto themed Malta Taghna Lkoll]]
Engerer joined and became highly involved in the [[Labour Party (Malta)|Labour Party]]. In July 2011, he became a board member of the party's think-tank ''Fondazzjoni IDEAT'' and one of its delegates to the party. He also formed part of [[LGBT+ Labour|LGBT Labour]].<ref name=independent2011-07-16/> Within the party, Engerer also spearheaded the fight for Civil Rights. His involvement was particularly prominent in the 2013 Labour Party campaign for the General Elections, where he worked hard to encourage former Nationalist voters to vote Labour. Labour won with a [[2013 Maltese general election|54.83% majority]].<ref>{{cite web|title=General Election 2013 Results|url=http://gov.mt/en/Government/Government%20of%20Malta/Election%20Results/Pages/General-Election-2013-Results.aspx|publisher=The Government of Malta|accessdate=11 June 2013}}</ref>
Following her appointment as Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties, [[Helena Dalli]] appointed Engerer as Chairperson of the Consultative Council for LGBT rights, with the initial task being to provide government with a Bill on Civil Unions as well as a Gender Identity Act.<ref>{{cite news|title=Consultative council on LGBT rights to focus on civil unions|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130422/local/consultative-council-on-lgbt-rights-announced.466609|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=Times of Malta|date=22 April 2013}}</ref> The Civil Union Act was presented to the Minister at the end of June, while the Gender Identity Act was presented at the beginning of August 2013.
The same year, Engerer joined the cabinet of the Parliamentary Secretary for the 2017 EU Presidency and EU Funding, [[Ian Borg]].
====European Parliament campaign (2013) ====
On 8 June 2013, Engerer announced that he would be contesting the [[2014 European Parliament election in Malta]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyrus Engerer announces European Parliament elections candidature|url=http://tvm.com.mt/news/2013/06/cyrus-engerer-announces-european-parliament-elections-candidature/|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=TVM News|date=8 June 2013}}</ref> He submitted his nomination to Labour Party for the elections on 5 August 2013, getting support from Minister [[Evarist Bartolo]], Minister [[Helena Dalli]], Parliamentary Secretary [[Ian Borg]], Member of Parliament [[Deborah Schembri]], and Gozo Labour Party spokesperson Ġuża Cassar.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyrus Engerer submits nomination for EP elections|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/28890/cyrus-engerer-submits-nomination-for-ep-elections-20130805#.VRfbSPmUcXs|accessdate=29 March 2015|work=MaltaToday|date=5 August 2013}}</ref> Along with seven others, he was approved as a candidate by the party on 21 August 2013.
Engerer's campaign, called ''Malta l-Ewwel'' (Malta First), was launched in [[Valletta]] on 27 October 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Attard Montalto|first1=Tim|title=Cyrus Engerer launches EP election campaign|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/30988/cyrus-engerer-launches-ep-election-campaign-20131026|accessdate=29 March 2015|work=MaltaToday|date=26 October 2013}}</ref>
In the week following his switch to Labour Party, Engerer and members of his family were faced with multiple charges opened against them by the [[Police of Malta]]. Such charges included [[revenge porn|circulating pornographic pictures]] of his former partner. Although the government denied that any of the charges were politically motivated,<ref>{{cite news|title=Police Commissioner says no government influence on Engerer investigation|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Police-Commissioner-says-no-government-influence-on-Engerer-investigation-20120622 |accessdate= 11 June 2013 |newspaper= MaltaToday |date= 22 June 2012}}</ref><ref name=Elected/><ref name=Outlawing/> a number of opinion-makers alleged that this was character-assassination of an opponent of the governing party.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bonello|first=Claire|title=Presenting pornolitics|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110731/opinion/Presenting-pornolitics.378160|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=Times of Malta|date=31 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cassar|first=Josanne|title=If you Criticise ... You're Crucified|url=http://josannecassar.com/opinion/if-you-criticise-youre-crucified/|publisher=josannecassar.com|accessdate=12 June 2013}}</ref> This version of events relied on the fact that internal police and court documents were leaked to the media before Engerer himself was informed of the charges by the police. An internal police inquiry later confirmed that the timing of the initiation of court proceedings was politically motivated.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bord ta' Inkjesta dwar l-operat tal-Pulizija waqt l-investigazzjoni tas-sur Chris Engerer u ibnu s-sur Cyrus Engerer|url=http://3c3dbeaf6f6c49f4b9f4-a655c0f6dcd98e765a68760c407565ae.r86.cf3.rackcdn.com/2a096286954d99e6d0ec32801e3606e93087660070.pdf|publisher=il-Pulizija ta' Malta|accessdate=12 June 2013|archive-date=4 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504192333/http://3c3dbeaf6f6c49f4b9f4-a655c0f6dcd98e765a68760c407565ae.r86.cf3.rackcdn.com/2a096286954d99e6d0ec32801e3606e93087660070.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 31 May 2013, the Court of Justice presided by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli acquitted Engerer of all charges.<ref>{{cite news|last=Balzan|first=Jurgen|title=Cyrus Engerer acquitted of charges against him|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/courtandpolice/Cyrus-Engerer-acquitted-charges-against-him-20130531|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=MaltaToday|date=31 May 2013}}</ref> However, he was sentenced to a two-year jail term suspended for two years on 8 May 2014. The decision was handed down by Mr Justice Michael Mallia in a 17-page appeals court judgment.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-05-08/news/cyrus-engerer-given-two-year-suspended-jail-term-for-circulating-pornograohy-4903141376/ |title= Cyrus Engerer guilty of circulating pornography; can still contest EP election |author= |date= 8 May 2014 |publisher= Malta Independent |accessdate= 5 February 2022}}</ref> The following day, Engerer announced that he had backed out of the European Parliament Elections 2014 citing that he did not want any bad light cast on the Labour Party.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}
==== Joseph Muscat's special envoy to the EU (2014-2019) ====
In October 2014, Engerer was appointed by Prime Minister [[Joseph Muscat]] as his "special envoy" to the [[European Union]], in parallel to the official Permanent Representative of Malta to the EU sitting in Brussels' ''Dar Malta'' office.<ref>{{cite news|title=Joseph Muscat explains Cyrus Engerer's role as PM's special envoy|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-03-16/local-news/Joseph-Muscat-explains-Cyrus-Engerer-s-role-as-PM-s-special-envoy-6736132309|accessdate=2 August 2015|work=The Malta Independent|date=16 March 2015}}</ref> He kept the role until 2019.
==== Member of the European Parliament (2020) ====
Engerer ran on the Labour Party ticket at the [[2019 European Parliament election in Malta]] and placed 5th from the Labour Party's list of candidates, with the party electing four Members.<ref>[https://electoral.gov.mt/ElectionResults/MEP electoral.gov.mt]</ref>
When it became clear that [[Miriam Dalli]] would resign from her seat to be coopted to the [[Maltese Parliament]], Engerer was elected on 5 November 2020.<ref name=Elected/><ref>{{cite web|title=Cyrus Engerer MEP|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/209091/CYRUS_ENGERER/home|publisher=European Parliament|accessdate=13 November 2020}}</ref>
==Publications== Engerer wrote a biography of the Labour Party leader, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. The book, called ''Joseph, Malta li Rrid Ngħix Fiha'', was published on 22 January 2013. It sold more than 10,000 copies in eight weeks and was well received by critics.<ref>{{cite news|title=Book on Joseph Muscat launched|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130122/local/joseph-malta.454324|accessdate=11 June 2013|newspaper=Times of Malta|date=22 January 2013}}</ref>
==References== {{commons category|Cyrus Engerer}} {{reflist}}
{{Current EP Malta}}{{EP Political Group S&D}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Engerer, Cyrus}} [[Category:1981 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nationalist Party (Malta) politicians]] [[Category:Labour Party (Malta) politicians]] [[Category:Gay politicians]] [[Category:People from Sliema]] [[Category:Maltese LGBTQ politicians]] [[Category:Maltese gay men]] [[Category:MEPs for Malta 2019–2024]] [[Category:LGBTQ members of the European Parliament]] [[Category:21st-century Maltese LGBTQ people]]