The battle within the Malta Labour Party on the European Constitution is heating up, and we expect it to continue until a decision is finally made at an extraordinary general conference the date of which is still to be announced.
The conference is expected to be held in June before Parliament debates the issue.
It is a well-known fact that the Nationalist Party will be voting in favour of the ratification. The government has already signed the treaty, and therefore it is a foregone conclusion what its intentions are. Whether there are dissidents within the PN camp – as the MLP has alleged – and whether these will eventually vote against their party remains to be seen.
Since Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi invited the MLP to make up its mind on the issue so that it could be debated in Parliament before it rises for the summer recess, the PN has kept a low profile. Apart from rare statements in favour of the ratification of the EU Constitution, the PN has barely touched the subject. It has even kept away from entering into the ongoing debate within the MLP.
On the other hand, the EU Constitution is currently the main topic in the MLP. The statement made 10 days ago by MLP leader Alfred Sant stirred up a debate, and after mentioning the issue again yesterday, the discussion is expected to take another twist.
Until the announcement that the MLP parliamentary group was in favour of ratifying the EU Constitution, the party leadership had not voiced an opinion about the subject. It was then thought that the party leadership had kept mum on the matter because it did not want to influence the vote.
Dr Sant’s statement was interpreted by many as an attempt to steer delegates towards voting in favour. Those who are campaigning for a vote against or an abstention were not pleased.
The position to be taken by the MLP parliamentary group has dealt a blow to the Campaign for National Independence, led by former Prime Minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, who has for long been advocating what he describes as a “constructive abstention”.
During a press conference held last Monday, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that many party delegates were angry that the MLP parliamentary group had already expressed its opinion, weeks before the general conference is due to be held and especially while discussion within the party structure is still under way.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici is, however, adamant in his campaign and will continue to try to gain as much support as possible. “Delegates will have the last word,” he said. Dr Mifsud Bonnici is playing his game well as he continuously reminds party delegates about past positions taken by the MLP against the European Union.
It is known that within the MLP there are still sentiments against Malta’s EU membership, although the party leadership has repeatedly said that the decision has been taken and “we must move on”.
It is hard to imagine, however, that the majority of delegates will be backing the former Prime Minister against the current party leadership. Yet, it all depends on what happens during the conference, as although the MLP parliamentary group, as one unit, has expressed itself in favour, individual members still have the possibility to voice an opinion against the ratification or in favour of an abstention vote. Delegates could be swayed one way or the other until they vote.
One also has to see whether there will be a request for the vote to be taken in secret. If this happens, it could have an impact on the final outcome.
It is however felt that the vote – in Parliament – on the EU Constitution is a good chance for Malta to show unity on a matter of international importance. It is a chance for the MLP to show that it has really moved on from its stand against European Union membership.