Malta and the EU Elections

Direct elections to the European Parliament only commenced in 1979 in what is regarded as a substantial move towards the democratization of what we now refer to as the European Union. However, interest in the vast majority of the Member States towards the EU is relatively minimal among the electorate - the EU is still very much a Club for the politically-established and their satellites. Hence the importance of why the electorate need to be more transparently informed about this supranational, sui generis Union.

Originally involving only six Member States, namely Germany, France, Italy and the Beneleux countries [Belgium, Luxembourg & The Netherlands], the initial objectives were for an economic union built around a common or internal market.

The foresight of the founders, persons like Monet, Schumann, Spinelli, Spaak and others, was further than that as they looked forward towards a Europe whereby the advents of the two World Wars would be etched in an Institutional set-up where that possibility might be completely avoided. Hence the founding of the Coal and Steel Community which was the commencement in a practical format of what later emerged as the European Union. A European Parliament as we know it today, though desired, was still a far cry. Yet until the people have the evolving outline illustrated to them and explained, it will be not easily absorbed that contesting for the EU Parliament is not the same as submitting your candidature for a national Parliament either within the rules of an established Political Party or as an adherent to a small Party or as an Independent.

Maltese and Gozitans do not by and large have any involving feeling for the EU Parliament. Even in this second election that our country is experiencing for the EU Parliament [whose official seat is at Strasbourg due to still ongoing internal squabbles - at the EU Citizens` expenses], the rather diluted political atmosphere prevailing is still one that brings out the basically artificial support for the Reds and the Blues, may be a little Green, and the Independents or small Parties are immediately discarded when the latter could if appreciated be the vital link to a newly-emerged Malta within the EU.

Both the Prime Minister and the PL Leader address their blind-folded faithful very much in Party terms, in circumstances the like of which one does not experience among Political Parties in the remaining 26 Member States: you travel to Luxembourg, nay even Belgium itself - hardly any sign that an EU Parliamentary Election is round the corner. This is because of the local overall ignorance as to what such an election is all about.

Main political, local discussions are focussing around the Area that deals with Freedom, Justice and Security which now forms part of TITLE IV of the revised EU Treaty and TITLE VI that focuses on Police Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, the latter forming the Third Pillar of the European Community.

Even the sacred territory of Justice & Home Affairs has been substantially intruded upon following the Treaty of Amsterdam effective as from 1999. So unless the electorate are informed that being a Member of the EU Parliament is a completely different concept that being a local of your National Parliament with Party discipline in its full rig our.

Candidates to the EU Parliament should be valued at their knowledge about the EU Institutions and how they function, particularly on controlling the enormous power of The Commission which initiates all legislative proposals and sees to their execution with the threats of huge fines if infringement proceedings are enforced upon a Member State. Malta has such proceedings pending against it and enquire with 100 local people chosen from different walks of life what such proceedings in fact mean, and the odds are that 99% will not have any idea at all: this is the fault of the leading politicians and a Media which is by and large bent on appeasing and pleasing such politicians because of the gratification provided. This is the mentality I would like to see eradicated and hence why with my experience and commitment, I see myself as a most eligible candidate for the EU Parliament.

Signed: ALPHA.