Nothing would make it more clear to the world that the Maltese want a change for the better. In voting for EU membership, Malta chose to take a leap forward towards a better quality of life, greater opportunities in business, employment and education. We want a better future for ourselves and for our children.
We want to limit the powers of politicians so that the eternal political wrangle can no longer threaten our well-being. Backing Arnold Cassola is a step in the right direction.
It is the clearest possible message to the other political parties not to take their support for granted, the best way to prompt them to improve their production by exposing also them to competition.
Why should politicians be immune to change?
Gaining representation in a third political grouping in the European Parliament is a major advantage which only a Green candidate can offer. Whether the PN have two or three MEPs will not make much difference to their functions as Malta’s go-betweens with the 280 member PPE grouping. The same goes for the MLP: a third Maltese MEP with the PSE does not improve our connection with the 250-member PSE. No addition to the PN or MLP teams.
Arnold Cassola is the one candidate who can give Malta an opportunity to link up with a completely new political grouping. Arnold’s election makes a firm and valuable Maltese connection with the 50 votes of the Green Group. It is a completely separate political grouping with members on every committee of the European Parliament, an additional sphere of influence for Malta within the European Parliament.
Unlike any of the other contenders, Arnold is already a prominent political figure. He was one of the six European political party secretaries general who framed the rules regulating transnational political parties. On countless occasions during the past four years he has met with his counterparts, colleagues and EU institution officials in dealing with the myriad issues arising during Malta’s membership negotiations and in connection with his task as the anchorman for the eight million strong, 32 party federation. He does not go to the European Parliament as a new face.
Unanimously confirmed in his post in 2003 for a second term, Arnold has just a year and eight months to serve as Secretary General of the EFGP, since February, the European Green Party. In terms of the Greens’ statute, he will not be eligible for re-election. It would be ruinously extravagant not to exploit the experience he has gained and the contacts he has made.
He can and will be a great help to the other Maltese MEPs finding their feet in Brussels. He already has a splendid track record for keeping all channels of communication open with everyone, regardless who was asking for information or contacts. Malta always came first and a multitude of Maltese stakeholders have had the benefit throughout the EU negotiations process.
He also has the credentials to be able to promise that no Maltese government will be able to cover up its dealings in the EU or prevent Maltese citizens from obtaining remedies by keeping its shortcomings in Malta covered up. His job is not to make the party in office look good in Brussels but to make the system work in favour of Maltese citizens.
His cajoling, prodding and pushing has already been effective in improving the Maltese government’s performance. Without the additional clout he can enjoy as an MEP, he has already obtained funding for Malta from the EU Emergency Fund to compensate for last year’s rains in spite of the Malta government’s claim that this was not possible. Thanks to him it has been possible to obtain funding to catch up with the delay in providing interpretation services for Maltese in the EU.
Thanks to his influence with the Green Group in the EP, he was able to garner support for Malta’s bid to have six MEPs. The European Parliament approved the change on two occasions thanks to his efforts with the Greens. It was only because the Maltese negotiators in Copenhagen had other priorities that this advantage has not already been realised.
It has been a delight to campaign for Arnold knowing that his success would bring significant advantages to all Maltese and Gozitans. The time is ripe to give the Maltese political system a wake-up call. There can be no better time than now, with no change of government at stake. He is a competent, consistent and capable candidate with a track record to prove it.
Arnold Cassola’s success can make the EP election results a win, win, win situation for all Maltese and Gozitans. It is a first to fight for a victory for the whole country, an election with no losers, perhaps the beginning of the end of useless feuding and fighting. It may be just what we need to be able to address the country’s challenges with greater confidence.
Dr Harry Vassallo is Chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party