The role of MEPs comes with responsibilities as well as satisfactions. On Wednesday, 12 January, 500 members of the European Parliament endorsed the European Union’s first Constitution. It was with great satisfaction that I joined in the endorsement of this Constitution – a Constitution that

unifies 25 member states and 450 million citizens.

The new Constitution includes the Charter of Fundamental Rights, thereby defining concrete rights that can be invoked by any citizen of the European Union. These rights mark the right to education, the right to information and consultation by workers within a company, protection in the event of unfounded dismissal and the right to negotiate and to open class action suits. Furthermore, a right to citizen initiative will be started, allowing one million of the European Union’s general public to invite the Commission to submit a legislative

proposal.

Through this Constitution, the role of the European Parliament will be considerably reinforced both at the legislative and budgetary level. Along with the Council, the Parliament will now ratify the majority of the documents. The position of national parliaments will also be strengthened. Their role will consist of certifying that the acknowledgment of jurisdictions between the Union and the member states is respected. Hence, the new Constitution gives national parliaments the ability to ask the Commission to reconsider any of its proposals.

With particular reference to Malta, the new Constitution secures a sixth seat for Malta in the European Parliament, thus increasing Malta’s representation in the EU institutions.

This is what I, together with 500 other MEPs, voted in favour of on Wednesday, 12 January – a pride and satisfaction that was marred by the embarrassing performance of the Malta Labour Party representatives. The MLP delegation chose to abstain from voting – a choice that may only leave one

perplexed.

Although the text of the Constitution was implemented in June 2004, its draft has been discussed for the past three years. The leader of the MLP, Dr Alfred Sant, together with George Vella, actively participated in the design of the European Constitution during the European Convention. Evidently, the MLP have had ample time to establish a position on the new Constitution. However, through their abstaining they have chosen an apathetic attitude.

Such indifference is far too comfortable. As MEPs we have been chosen to formulate decisions on behalf of Maltese

citizens, decisions which carry with them responsibilities. By abstaining, the MLP MEPs have chosen not to face their

responsibilities.

While the PN has been active in drawing up and debating the Constitution, the MLP claim that they are still undecided about the future of our island. The time has come for the MLP to start carrying the weight of their decisions.

I invite the MLP to take up the challenge, to stand up and be counted, to send a positive message by ratifying the European Constitution in our National Parliament – a Constitution that will lead to the creation of a more democratic and efficient Europe.

I hope that the MLP will not miss another opportunity and will choose to assert itself in a final decision and face the reality of being part of the European Union.

David Casa is a Member of the European Parliament