Race starts for place on final candidates' list

The Nationalist and Labour parties are each likely to field eight candidates for the June 2004 European parliament elections and several individuals are already mounting pressure on their party's hierarchy, hoping to be on the final list of candidates.

Former MPs and prominent personalities are among those involved in a scramble as they hope to occupy one of the five seats Malta has been allocated in the European parliament.

The Labour Party has demonstrated itself as the most eurosceptic of political parties but where it concerns the European parliament elections, there seems to be enthusiasm.

Though only two individuals have officially confirmed their interest - MLP general secretary Jimmy Magro and renowned eurosceptic Sharon Ellul Bonici - several other stalwarts have expressed their wish to contest under the MLP banner.

The MLP's spokesman for industry, John Attard Montalto, is tipped to be among the front-runners for the June elections even though he has not officially declared his interest to stand.

Former Air Malta chairman Louis Grech, Maltastar editor Joe Muscat, Captain Morgan and Hotel Fortina's Michael Zammit Tabona, MLP candidate Edward Zammit Lewis and lawyer Siegfried Borg Cole are among the other names being rumoured as candidates.

Party sources said Labour candidates Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Keith Grech and journalist Joe Mifsud could also be interested in filling a slot - although all are awaiting the outcome of their elections in the MLP general conference.

The Nationalist Party is in the meantime biding time with the central administration doing its utmost to be seen to be fielding a united team.

Sources said the party's candidates will be a blend of "well-known faces and personalities, with preferably a good political background".

"One has to remember that the MEP elections would be contested on a national scale and not along 13 districts so we need individuals renowned everywhere," the sources pointed out.

A number of individuals being tipped as candidates yesterday described the run-up to the elections as a big waiting game.

"I will only submit my name if I have the guarantee that the party will back me all the way," one prospective candidate said.

For the PN, the names being widely touted as candidates are Iva spokesperson David Casa and Water Services Corporation chairman and former minister Michael Falzon.

Nationalist MP Michael Frendo could also be among the candidates for his party. Yet, some say he could be the ideal person for the post of European Commissioner, or foreign minister, should Joe Borg be chosen for the post in Brussels.

Popular journalist Karl Stagno Navarra is expected to be the youngest candidate on the PN ballot paper.

Former parliamentary secretary and Malta's ambassador to Ireland, Richard Muscat, is known to have expressed his interest as did Malta's High Commissioner to the UK, George Bonello Dupuis, according to party sources.

A big question mark remains whether President Guido de Marco will emulate former Portuguese President Mario Soares and contest the election for MEP, which will take place just a month after his term expires.

One of the few candidates who possesses any hands-on experience in EU affairs is Greens general secretary Arnold Cassola, the only Alternattiva Demokratika candidate who, many believe, will capitalise on the votes of disgruntled Nationalist supporters.

Another individual who has publicly declared his intention to contest is Norman Lowell, whose far-right policies have often raised eyebrows.

Salaries of MEPs are linked to the pay structure of the local parliament but each member has a set of special allowances. However, discussions are currently ongoing with a view to harmonise the pay packet of Euro MPs to a level of about €100,000 (some Lm40,000) annually.