A green MEP for Malta

The June 2004 European parliament elections are a new political and democratic reality for Malta. After the hard struggle towards European Union accession, all Maltese and Gozitans will be called to cast their vote for the five individuals who they deem most capable of representing Malta's interests in the context of European parliament representation.

For the first time in history, the electorate can vote fearlessly, as this election does not have government or national stability at stake. It is an election that selects and rewards individuals for their potential to bring to the forefront Malta's interests in the challenging newly-enlarged EU.

As in local council elections, the electorate votes in a more serene way and elects people, even across party lines, rewarding them for their interest in the locality. In the same way, the June European elections can be considered as similar to a massive local council election: Malta and Gozo will be the sole electoral district and voters can vote according to the single transferable vote system used in all other national elections (number 1 for your favourite candidate, number 2 for your next favourite and so on).

As you may know, I will be running as the Alternattiva Demokratika-Green Party candidate for these elections. Whilst having kept abreast of European issues through my post as secretary general of the European Federation of Green Parties (EFGP), AD and myself can boast of a 13-year history of credibility with regard to issues and topics of a European nature.

Throughout the years, we have worked in the most consistent of manners within the EU for the benefit of all Maltese and Gozitans and we have also gained credibility with the EU authorities. Recent examples are our efforts to see that Malta gains access to funds for flood damages and our work towards providing structures for Maltese translators to gain immediate employment in the Maltese EU translation unit.

I am contesting the post of MEP on the Green Party ticket in order to be able to work for Malta's best interests within the challenging context of the EU. All the Green Party has done for its constituents within the limited contexts of local councils and my work in the EFGP can be given a greater weight once Greens gain representation in an institution such as the European parliament.

We are not alone in our quest. AD is part of a transnational European Green Party that will be launching a Europe-wide Common Green Campaign in February - a campaign that will present the Green vision to the peoples of the new EU, including the Maltese, and that will base its platform on issues concerning environmental and social safeguards, a sound peace policy and a further democratisation of EU structures. Even though AD was four-square behind Malta's quest for EU accession, we still believe that greening Europe is the way forward to making the EU better and more in touch with the citizen's pressing everyday needs.

Our campaign is in full swing and more people are joining the Greens for this historic event. My campaign team has even opened an internet newsgroup (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cassolaformep) whereby interested persons and volunteers can forward their feedback, queries and suggestions and also keep in touch with the ongoing campaign and offer their services.

Together with the Green Party, I am ready to face this electoral test in a serene and secure manner and I submit myself to the judgment of the Maltese on our European credentials.

In the last 20 years, the Greens in the European parliament have brought about a massive cultural and political change. For the forthcoming European elections, we want you to decide for a better Europe together with us all.