MEP's role 'no cushy job'

Members of the European parliament do not lead the life of a king, opposition leader Alfred Sant said yesterday, as the Labour Party continued harping on the need for supporters to vote in the European elections on June 12.

The MLP is in a quandary to mobilise its core supporters, still reeling from their party's former anti-EU membership stance.

The June elections were not a matter of life and death but were "very important" for the MLP, Dr Sant told a political meeting in Floriana. "We should fill in any available space and not leave it up to others," he said.

Dr Sant said his party was determined to make a difference in the European parliament. After all, historically, it has always been the MLP that has defended Malta's interests on the international circuit.

He argued against any misconceptions surrounding the real intentions of the candidates: "Let's not be gullible and believe these malicious comments that those elected will be living the life of a king. It's not true. It's a responsible job. Being an MEP requires frequent travelling, frequent meetings and making detailed analysis. Above all, those elected will have to defend workers".

Turning to the March 31 celebrations, Dr Sant said it was shameful that the government was forking out hundreds of thousands of liri on the EU celebrations rather than mark the 25th anniversary of Freedom Day in style.

Nevertheless, if the government intended to treat Freedom Day with disrespect then the MLP would take it upon itself to celebrate it in a big way.

Former deputy leader George Vella, one of the MLP's representatives to the European parliament, said his party was in agreement with a good bulk of the programme being drawn up by the European Socialists for the June elections.

Turning to the domestic scene, Dr Vella urged newly elected Nationalist leader Lawrence Gonzi "to avoid being another Eddie Fenech Adami". Malta needed a prime minister for all the country and not for half the electorate, he said.