Voters have 'little choice' in EP elections

The electorate has little choice but to vote for candidates supported by the Front Maltin Inqumu if they want the "bad" European Union package negotiated by the government changed, according to the front's leaders Dom Mintoff and Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.

In a letter sent to European Commission president Romano Prodi the Front Maltin Inqumu said that almost all candidates of the three political parties running for the June elections agree with the package negotiated by the government or else have accepted it even if they do not agree with it. "Only the few candidates supported by the Front Maltin Inqumu will truly work to change the agreement," the FMI said in the letter, falling short of pointing out who they are.

"It follows that the Maltese electorate is faced with just one choice; voting for the candidates supported by the front, who will work to change the package, and all the others who agree with or have accepted with the package as it is today."

Calling the respective campaigns "anti-democratic", and accusing the EU of being an active accomplice in this "degrading" process, the FMI declared it would be assuming an active role in the upcoming elections as a sign of protest.

The FMI had already expressed concern on the "bad" package negotiated with the EU on May 1, when it called on Prof. Prodi to re-open negotiations, taking into account the negative consequences of what the Maltese government has negotiated "hastily".

"It is of benefit to the European Union to have Malta as one of its members, since our country has good political relationships with Middle Eastern countries."

In a letter dated May 1, the Front Maltin Inqumu told Prof. Prodi that Malta's neutrality was being compromised because US warships were, from time to time, being docked at Maltese shipyards for repair.

"We are sure this is done with the blessing of the EU and this is in breach of our Constitution. It is a threat to our neutrality," the FMI said.