The past four years during which I have represented Malta in the Committee of the Regions have been an excellent opportunity for me to familiarise myself with the way European policies are developed and ultimately implemented. Bearing in mind that over three quarters of European policies are implemented at local and regional level, my mandate in the Committee of the Regions has given me a unique insight into European policy making and its direct impact on people’s lives.

During this time, I was entrusted twice by the Committee of the Regions as Rapporteur. The first report was on the Roadmap for Equality between Women and Men 2006-2010 and the second report was on the directive and communication on non-discrimination. In parallel, I was also entrusted by the Party of European Socialists in the Committee of the Regions to coordinate and compile two important sections in the electoral manifesto for the June elections regarding Social Europe and the Championing of Gender Equality.

I am now contesting for a seat in the European Parliament in the firm belief that if elected, I will be able to capitalise on the experience gained during these past years of active involvement at European level to successfully represent the Maltese people within this largest democratic institution in Europe.

My campaign is based on my firm belief in a social Europe, a Europe which should put people at the centre of its political agenda. Indeed, I believe that the economy should be at the service of the people and not vice-versa. I feel that it is particularly important to stress this point given the major difficulties that the European, indeed the global, economy is facing.

My concern is that, as is often the case in such times of economic recession, it is the workers and their families who are the hardest hit. It is my strong commitment that if elected, I will do everything possible to ensure that Europe mobilises its vast resources to ensure that our citizens are given every opportunity to maximise their potential within the European area itself – in this context, taking swift and adequate measures to curb the spiralling numbers of unemployed people within the EU, ensuring that should become an area of top priority.

I believe that, even amidst a global economic crisis, workers’ rights should not be compromised, while trade unions and workers’ representatives should continue to play a key role in social dialogue. On the other hand, the EU and its member states, Malta included, need to invest in training, lifelong learning and adequate childcare facilities to ensure that job-seekers, men and women alike, are truly able to re-enter the labour market as soon as possible. It is an unequivocal commitment on my part to strive for the attainment of the Barcelona childcare targets, an area in which Malta still lags behind. If we truly wish to see more female participation in the workforce achieving these targets for more, better, and above all affordable childcare facilities in Malta and Gozo, it is an essential precondition.

If Europe wants to get itself out of the current economic mess, it has to invest in the creation of new and better jobs and the protection of existing ones. A recovery plan that limits itself to handing out unemployment benefits is doomed to failure because it does not create growth. With the decline of traditional growth sectors such as the manufacturing industry, now is the time to consider how to turn climate change and energy supply challenges into opportunities through the elaboration of a green growth strategy that favours the development of new green technologies and skills.

If elected, I, together with my fellow Socialist Group members of the European Parliament, will strive to ensure that this goal is attained at European level. As much as I will strive to champion gender equality, and ensure the creation of a European women’s rights charter with a view to improving women’s rights and opportunities and to promote mechanisms to achieve gender equality in all aspects of social, economic and political life.

In this context, I have to confess that I am greatly perturbed with the apparent nonchalance being adopted by the present Nationalist administration particularly with regard to such issues as cancer screening and prevention programmes. As if it was not enough that this government, in spite of all its pre-electoral hype, has so far failed to implement a national breast screening programme, it has now been learnt that Malta still does not have, and worse still there is no intention on the part of the government to introduce in the foreseeable future, a national cervical cancer screening programme. In my view this is unacceptably irresponsible on the part of the health authorities. There is no doubt in my mind that if we want a healthy society then we have to put our house in order fast. Any further delay is simply unacceptable.

And if this were not bad enough, it may be opportune to note that in Malta there are still no plans for a screening programme for bowel cancer which affects both men and women. My only comment in this regard is that Prime Minister Gonzi and Health Minister Dalli need a reality check. Cancer is fast becoming the leading killer in Malta and under no circumstances should health be deemed for sale.

These and other issues are of utmost importance in the development of a new Europe. In the years to come, it is important that the European Union moves away from the largely neo-liberal economic models which have taken us on this perilous journey into unprecedented financial and economic recession. In line with our electoral pledge of putting people first, together with my fellow European Socialists, I pledge to strive to ensure that in all that it does the European Union will refrain from cutting loose the umbilical cord that necessarily exists between the social and the economic sphere.

In this respect my commitment is clear. It is one based on the premise that in everything I do, I pledge to put people first. It is a philosophy which is based on the understanding that politics is a service to the people, who ultimately are the true owners of any democratic society. It is our duty to ensure that the people we represent are enabled to turn their dreams into realities for their own sake and that of their families.



Claudette Abela Baldacchino is a Labour Party candidate for the European

Parliament election

www.claudetteabelabaldacchino.eu