Labour MEPs caught in constitution dilemma

The three Malta Labour Party members of the European Parliament were yesterday unable to vote on the European constitution during a session of the Parliament's 200-strong Socialist Group.

This was due to the fact that the MLP has not yet taken an official stand on the European constitution.

In a declaration, the Socialist Group said it voted in favour of the new constitution and called on the EU's 25 member states to ratify it.

The Group backed a report highlighting improvements in clarity, efficiency and democracy that would come about as a result of the constitution.

Socialist Group leader Martin Schultz said: "The new constitution will improve people's rights and make Europe work more smoothly. It is an important step forward".

The French Socialist MEPs participated in the vote but decided to abstain. All the other European Socialists voted in favour.

Sources close to the Socialist Group in Brussels told The Times the three Maltese MEPs decided at the eleventh hour not to take part in the vote and informed Mr Schultz about their decision.

Contacted by The Times, the head of the Maltese Socialist MEPs, John Attard Montalto, confirmed that his delegation had decided not to vote due to the fact that the Malta Labour Party has not yet adopted a position.

"The Labour MEPs felt it was more prudent not to take part in the vote as we have no official position yet," he said.

The situation could become even more embarrassing for the Labour MEPs in a month's time when the plenary session of the European Parliament meets in Strasbourg to take its final vote on the ratification of the constitution.

That vote is set to be taken on December 15. The MLP is planning to hold a debate and take a stand on the issue in mid-January during a general conference for party delegates.

Asked whether this situation would be embarrassing for the Labour MEPs, Dr Attard Montalto replied that "it is a very difficult situation for the MLP and the Maltese delegation as we have to wait until January 16 in order to have a position".

He said he was sure the MLP administration was already aware of this particular situation.

The timing of the MLP's general conference might also cause problems on the home front. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has already publicly declared that the government will soon be presenting a resolution in Parliament for a debate on the constitution. He wants the ratification process over by the end of the year.

Asked whether it would make more sense for the MLP to hold its debate before both parliamentary votes, at national and European levels, Dr Attard Montalto said: "Everyone is aware of the Prime Minister's declaration and if he decides to undertake a parliamentary vote before the MLP has decided on its stand I would then assume that the MLP would have to adopt the same strategy that my delegation has adopted at the Socialist Group meeting".

Dr Attard Montalto said that under the circumstances it would be in the national interest for the issue to be raised in Parliament after the MLP makes a formal decision.

He denied a report by European news organisation Agence Europe that "the Maltese Socialist Party, alone among the 32 parties making up the Party of European Socialists, has come out for a 'no' vote".

The report said: "If this is followed at home, is it imaginable that the years of effort, the miracle of the Convention and the 'yes' vote of the 25 governments are thrown into the abyss because of a few thousand Maltese?

"The 'no' vote emanating from the Socialists (they don't go any further than the Maltese Socialist Party and a tendency in the French Socialist Party) is claimed to reflect the attitude of the workers. The workers, however, are represented by the European Confederation of Trade Unions (ETUC), which has come out with a hearty 'yes'."

Dr Attard Montalto told The Times it was absolutely untrue that the MLP has already decided to vote against the constitution. He insisted that this was up to the party's general conference.

He also stressed that it was not true that the MLP was the only Socialist Party without an official stand on the issue.

The French Socialist party, he said, had still not adopted a stand and would be taking its decision at the beginning of next month.