Michael Falzon is eager to serve again, make no mistake about that! “I have over 20 years’ experience in Parliament, both in opposition and in government, also at ministerial level,” he says. “I have enormous experience in all things political and I want to bring my experience to the EP to serve the nation.”

Mr Falzon is quietly confident that his vast experience in the media and the running of campaigns will bear fruit. The former minister is also enthusiastic about the Nationalist Party’s team of candidates and respects each and every individual’s contribution and strenghts. “Everyone has his/her own strong points and I hope that my experience will assist me in this first ever national campaign.”

Asked about the areas he would particularly like to focus on, Mr Falzon said he already had his eye on a specific committee in the EPP where infrastructural matters, education and other similar issues are discussed, he feels that this subcommittee is tailor-made to his potential.

We also spoke about the work that needs to be done in those EP committees in which Malta will have no official representation, but Nationalist MEPs would work closely with their EPP partners to influence the decisions made in such committees.

This electoral campaign will be the first one in which candidates will have to focus on a national level. Mr Falzon has already gathered a substantial amount of assistants to help him with his campaign in the 13th electoral district. “I’m obviously strong in the two districts I used to contest (the ninth and the 11th) but I am slowly making inroads in the others too.”

It is early days yet but, considering the virtual impossibility of individual house visits for such a wide-spread campaign, Mr Falzon believes the media will have a crucial role to play in this election.

“It’s the first time that each candidate has to have national appeal, but then we’re all in the same boat, aren’t we?”, Mr Falzon chuckles.

Asked about the Labour Party’s position vis-a-vis Europe, Mr Falzon believes that the intensive campaign waged against EU membership over the past years and particularly last year, will come back to haunt them in the EP elections.

“The Labour Party is split on Europe and their supporters are confused. This is basically a problem of consistency, something which the Nationalist Party definitely does not have as we had advocated EU membership since 1979,” says Mr Falzon, nostalgically recalling his presence on the PN executive which had decided to approve Dr Eddie Fenech Adami’s landmark proposal to start Malta on the road to eventual EC membership.

Concluding, Mr Falzon said he hopes the PN will elect three candidates (not necessarily himself, he hastens to add) but he knows that no matter the outcome, the party will continue working within the parameters of the EU Parliament and, as always, “keeping the best interests of Malta first and foremost”.