Campaign for National Independence chairman Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici yesterday criticised Labour leader Joseph Muscat for speaking out in favour of EU membership.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici was addressing a press conference where he praised the Irish for voting no to the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the Irish refusal of the Lisbon Treaty clearly revealed the fraudulent democratic system through which the EU is pushing for the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty without the people’s consent.

He said that the Irish “no” vote was a clear indication that many people are against the treaty and should be an eye-opener to the Maltese against the arrogance and red tape of the EU.

Referring to the possibility of Malta gaining a sixth seat in the European Parliament through the treaty, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that it was not necessary. “I would say that we have too many seats,” he added.

Furthermore, if the Maltese had to vote again in a referendum for EU membership, the majority of the “no” votes would come from Nationalist supporters and not Labour supporters.

The EU was scared to leave the final decision of the Lisbon Treaty in the hands of the people, said Dr Mifsud Bonnici.

He listed three main reasons why the Irish voted against the treaty.

Through the treaty, the EU is planning to increase its military strength – something that is also being pushed by the upcoming French presidency, said Dr Mifsud Bonnici.

He expressed his surprise that Malta ratified the Lisbon Treaty when essentially it is against the concept of militarisiation.

Another reason why the Irish voted against the treaty is because it will give more power to the EU, something which was not in their interest.

“There is a lot of pressure in many countries to regain the powers handed over to the EU,” said Dr Mifsud Bonnici.

However, the third and most fundamental reason behind the Irish “no” was that the treaty will change the concept of decision making whereby decisions will be taken by majority not through consensus.

“The Irish don’t want to be in this situation and this is fundamental for Malta, which is the smallest country in the EU,” said the CNI chairman.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that the heavy EU taxes on fuel, and the importance it gives to biofuels instead of cultivating cereals are two main factors that influenced the Irish vote.

Once again he condemned the Maltese parliament for ratifying the treaty without any reservations during one session.

“It should have been read by the MPs very carefully before any decision was taken – instead we ratified it immediately when it was refused by other countries,” he said.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici criticised comments made by various heads of state, such as EU Commission president Jose Manoel Barroso, who said that the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty should go on.

“Countries who are faithful to the rules should not be the ones who are asked to leave the EU,” he said.