The debate on the European Constitution seems to be gearing up as the time when the matter will be discussed in Parliament looms nearer.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the issue will be put before Parliament before it rises for the summer recess, and therefore there are only two months left before this takes place.
While the Nationalist Party has already expressed itself in favour of the EU Constitution, the Malta Labour Party is still discussing the matter internally.
The government has therefore given the MLP the time to come up with a decision, in the hope that there will be unanimous parliamentary support, or at least a bigger majority than the one which divides government from opposition.
It seems however that we are a long way from this, judging by the latest statements on the issue that have been made in press conferences and in Parliament too.
Last Monday, we had former Prime Minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici claiming that he is not being allowed to voice his opinion within Malta Labour Party structures. Dr Mifsud Bonnici is calling for what he calls as a “constructive abstention”, saying that if anyone had reservations on the matter he or she cannot vote yes.
“If the MLP votes in favour it will be going against the criticism put forth before the referendum and general election,” he insisted.
The MLP has commissioned three reports on the matter which are being discussed within the party. There seems to be an inclination towards voting in favour of the EU Constitution, and several party exponents have expressed such views in writing.
It is clear that, although it has announced that it will not be celebrating Malta’s accession to the EU on 1 May, the MLP wants to move away from its pre-election stand against EU membership now that the people have decided and that Malta has become part of the EU 25.
Top officials in the MLP, including the leadership, are still to give their opinion on the matter, at least publicly, wanting the debate to develop healthily without wanting to “prejudice the discussion”, as deputy leader Michael Falzon said on Monday.
This leaves everything in the balance on the MLP side, although perhaps the time has now come for the leadership to tell us what its opinion is. It should not continue to hide its views from the public.
A few hours after Dr Mifsud Bonnici’s press conference, Labour MP Anglu Farrugia opened another can of worms when, in Parliament, he claimed that it is the PN that is not debating the EU Constitution issue internally. He added that he knew of several PN backbenchers who have serious reservations on the issue.
Whether what Mr Farrugia said will be verified by these backbenchers themselves over the next few days or during the parliamentary debate on the issue in June or July remains to be seen. Yet, what Mr Farrugia said could also be an attempt to divert public attention onto the Nationalist Party where the EU Constitution is concerned.
This is because, as explained earlier, so far the PN was seemingly united on the matter and it was only the MLP which still had to make up its mind. Now, at the time when the MLP is saying it is discussing the matter, Mr Farrugia’s comments have shifted attention onto the PN too.
At this point in time, all those concerned should put their cards on the table. The MLP, especially the leadership, must come out with its opinion on the matter. On the other hand, if there are PN MPs who have reservations on the EU Constitution, they should also come forward with their arguments.
It is only by having an open, healthy discussion that we can move towards taking a decision.