EU referendum on March 8

Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami yesterday put an end to months of speculation and announced that the referendum on EU membership will be held together with the local council elections on March 8.

In a televised address to the nation in the evening, Dr Fenech Adami said this was the first time, since Malta gained independence in 1964, the people were being called to have a direct say on their future through a referendum.

He appealed to the public to take part in the referendum and to keep in mind the fact that the decision they took would affect the future of all the Maltese for many generations to come.

Dr Fenech Adami hoped the people would embrace this moment and equip themselves with the facts and information before casting their vote.

"May the choice you take lead to give Malta the voice it deserves, a choice that will embrace the charisma of the Maltese character, a choice that will generate wealth and work, a choice that will make us proud to be Maltese."

The date was announced at the President's Palace, in Valletta after Dr Fenech Adami presented the official writ to President Guido de Marco. The two had already met earlier in the day.

Dr Fenech Adami said he advised the President to hold the referendum on March 8 after parliament approved the question that will be put to the public: "Do you agree that Malta should join the European Union at the enlargement due on May 1, 2004?"

Dr Fenech Adami said the government had considered the nation's best interests and had felt that holding the referendum on the same date as the local council elections was an "adequate" decision.

Prof. de Marco signed the writ that was then presented to principal electoral commissioner Carmel Degabriele.

"I have just signed the writ which will give life to the resolution that the House passed on the question. Naturally, as written in the writ, this vote should be secret and free," Prof. de Marco said.

Dr Fenech Adami then tabled a copy of the writ in the House.

When asked later why the government had felt that holding the referendum and the local council elections simultaneously was an "adequate" decision, Dr Fenech Adami said it would save the electorate from having to vote on two separate occasions.

"The local councils had a fixed date while the referendum had to be held quite soon. A general election also has to take place some time this year, so we decided to spare the electorate from having to go out to vote three times, by combining two events," he said.

"There's also another consideration - we'll be saving some money because every election costs a considerable amount," he added.

Did Dr Fenech Adami feel such a move would lead to a higher turnout? The idea of the Labour Party boycotting the referendum has been mooted and this was confirmed by Alfred Sant yesterday.

"I cannot say, but I imagine it could lead to a higher turnout for both the local councils election and the referendum," the prime minister said.

Local Councils' Association chairman Ian Micallef said holding the referendum on the same day would not disrupt the local council elections. "On the contrary, we feel this could lead to a higher turnout for the local council elections and the result would be more representative," he added.