The announcement was planned to coincide with Prof. Hans-Gert Poettering’s visit to Malta. Prof. Poettering is the head of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats – European Democrats [EPP-ED]), the largest group represented in the European Parliament.

Described as the ‘perfect’ candidates with a sense of duty who have a strong belief in the party’s Christian Democrat values, are enthusiastic and have what it takes to represent Malta in the European Parliament, Dr Gonzi ‘introduced’ his party’s candidates, who were seated behind him, for the European Parliament elections during a press conference at party headquarters.

The candidates are Michael Falzon, former Cabinet Minister, current chairman of the Water Services Corporation and head of the PN media, Dr Simon Busuttil former head of the Malta-EU Information Centre, Dr Joanna Drake, former chairperson of the “Yes to Malta in Europe” movement, David Casa, a former activist in the same “Yes” movement, Joe Friggieri, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Malta, Dr Roberta Tedesco Triccas, who led a Commission on EU affairs of the European Youth Forum, former local councillor Dr Ian Spiteri Bailey and Gozitan Dr Anton Tabone, a former diplomat.

Just before the press conference, Prof. Poettering met with the PN delegates and commended Dr Gonzi and the former Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami for winning Europe for Malta.

“The process of joining the EU for Malta was a particularly tough one, mainly because the Socialists came out so strongly against membership,” said Prof. Poettering. “The EU negotiations resulted to be so successful thanks to you...we welcome you in the EU and wish you well.”

Malta closed its negotiations with the EU in December 2002 and obtained the highest number of transitional periods and derogations from among the candidate countries.

During the press conference Prof. Poettering said the political group he leads will support the PN candidates elected in June and in Maltese he congratulated the candidates and wished them all the success.

“If I had a vote in Malta, I would definitely vote for the PN, because it was this party which led Malta into the EU,” said Prof. Poettering. “The question now should be: Who can serve Malta best in the EU? Those who fought for EU membership or those against it?”

Dr Gonzi encouraged the electorate to vote for the party’s candidates. “As a party we will be in a position to both contribute and gain from EU membership. This is a golden opportunity, a historical moment for our country.”

Dr Gonzi insisted that voting for the PN candidates is a vote of confidence for Europe. “This is a clear and categorical vote of confidence for Europe,” he said.

Prof. Poettering is confident that even after the next European Parliament elections in June, the group he leads will remain the largest one represented in Parliament.

Malta is the first of the accession countries which Prof. Poettering visited. After Malta he will go to Cyprus, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Chezk Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Prof. Poettering’s visit is part of an extensive pre-enlargement campaign organised by the group he leads.

Prof. Poettering is a lawyer and has been a Member of the European Parliament since the first elections held in 1979. His activities in the European Parliament have been principally focused on foreign and defence policy. He was president of the subcommittee on “security and disarmament” of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1994. He is the author of various publications on European politics and was awarded the prestigious Robert Schuman medal in September 1995.

Founded as the “Christian Democrat Group” on 23 June 1953 as a political faction in the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, the EPP-ED group has played a leading role in the construction of Europe.

The group changed its name to the “Group of the European People’s Party” (Christian-Democratic Group) in July 1979, just after the first direct elections to the European Parliament, and to “Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats” in July 1999.

The European Parliament

The European Parliament (EP) has 626 MEPS from each EU member State. These are: Belgium (25), Denmark (16), Germany (99), Greece (25), Spain (64), France (87), Ireland (15), Italy (87), Luxembourg (6), The Netherlands (31) Austria (21), Portugal (25), Finland (16), Sweden (22), UK (87).

The political groups represented in the EP are the EPP-ED group, The European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (233 members), PES group of the Party of European Socialists (175 members), ELDR group of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party (53 members), EUL/NGL Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (49 members), Greens/EFA group of The Greens/Europeans Free Alliance (45 members), UEN – Union for Europe of the Nations Group (23 members), EDD group for a Europe of Democracies and Diversities (18 members), IND – Independent (non-attached) members (31 members).

The European Parliament is the only Community institution that meets and debates in public. Its decisions, positions and proceedings are published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. In the Chamber, members sit in political groups not in national delegations. They sit on parliamentary committees and delegations as either full or substitute members.

Members spend one week each month at a plenary session in Strasbourg, when Parliament meets in full session. Additional two-day sittings are held in Brussels, and the Parliament’s secretariat is in Luxembourg. Two weeks of every month are set aside for meetings of Parliament committees in Brussels. The remaining week is devoted to meetings of political groups.

Like all Parliaments, the European Parliament has three fundamental powers: legislative, budgetary and supervisory power, but its political role in the EU is growing.

The normal legislative procedure is co-decision (an essential power of the European Parliament, which enhances its ability to influence European legislation). This procedure puts the European Parliament and the Council on an equal footing, and together they adopt legislation proposed by the Commission. Parliament then has to vote on the agreement.

The European Parliament and the Council are the two arms of the budgetary authority. In other words, they share the power of the purse, just as they share legislative power. Parliament, which has supervisory powers, oversees all Community activities, an exercise previously carried out only by the Commission. These powers have been extended to the Council of Ministers and the bodies responsible for foreign and security policy.