Last week the names of the first Maltese to be elected to the European Parliament were announced, with three MEPs being elected on behalf of the Malta Labour party and two from the Nationalist Party.

The MLP representatives are John Attard Montalto, Joseph Muscat and Louis Grech and those from the PN are David Casa and Simon Busuttil. All five have already stated, on a number of occasions, that they will coordinate their efforts in the EP and toe the same line in the interests of the Maltese.

The will to have the MEPs work together also seems to be backed by the leaders of the respective parties, with both Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and the Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant agreeing that the five seats allocated to Malta require that we coordinate our efforts in the EP.

Mark Micallef asked passers-by at Baystreet whether they believe that the Maltese MEPs will, in fact, cooperate with each other. Despite the occasional sceptic, the general views of those interviewed for the vox pop seemed optimistic. Here are some of their answers:

1. They should work for the good of all of us. We hope they will forget that they come from different parties and place the best interests of the Maltese at the forefront of their work. They might come across as very antagonistic but the reality is different, I think. Caren Calleja 32, Msida

2. I hope they do in the interest of everyone – I am optimistic that they will. Tracy 30, Marsa

3. I have no doubt they will. God forbid it should be otherwise, because the whole country would suffer the consequences. Mark Camilleri 42, Sliema

4. It would be good but I don’t think they will. Mr Gatt 37, Mosta

5. The individuals who have been elected are very valid people, all five of them, from both parties. I’m sure they will get along fine. Sandro Chetcuti 32, Tarxien

6. I hope they do, and that is how I think it will be. After all, I feel they should all toe the same line for the good of our country. The country’s interests should always come before that of the party. Tony Gillson 59, Birkirkara

7. I think it takes time... they will eventually work together. They will for sure because after all they have the Maltese interests as a common factor. They will do it, in their own way and will combine their efforts to bring the country’s interests to the forefront and forget about partisan politics – not before time. Alfred Micallef, 64, St Venera

8. I think they should cooperate. I feel that they will cooperate. The MLP has given indication that they will cooperate. We will have to wait and see. Joseph Borda 32, Valletta