An MEP for Gozo

It is indeed welcome news that Malta managed to keep its hard-earned sixth European Parliament seat, first gained in the now defunct Constitutional Treaty. This with effect from the 2009 election.

It is suggested that this sixth seat be allocated to Gozo. This would ensure that the island region of Gozo would have an assured direct representation in the European Parliament. There should be no problem about accepting this proposal as all political parties, whether in Parliament or outside, have some sort of regional policy regarding Gozo.

A presence in the European forum would ensure that Gozo's needs and problems would be fully ventilated and discussed in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Moreover, opportunities that would be beneficial for Gozo would be identified and pursued in a timely manner by Gozo's own representative.

Way back in January 2002, at a Nationalist Party seminar to which I had been invited to deliver a talk, I had suggested that Gozo should be allocated one of the seats in the European Parliament which would be assigned to Malta after accession.

This suggestion was not taken up with the consequence that Gozo has not been directly represented since the first elections after accession. Because of the way elections are held it is almost impossible for the Gozo electorate on its own to send a member to the Brussels Parliament. That is why a specially-designated seat for Gozo is a sheer necessity. The opportunity presented by the increase in seats would ensure that this representational deficit be eliminated while the five others would, as now, represent the rest of the Maltese Islands.

In my personal capacity I have written to the leaders of Malta's political parties urging them to adopt this suggestion. Since all three parties have a regional policy of sorts regarding Gozo they should, therefore, find no problem in backing it.

There is presently a Bill in the House of Representatives that seeks to amend the Constitution with a view to make Gozo a distinct electoral district. Discussion of this Bill, which, if passed by the required two thirds majority will entrench the amendment in the Constitution, has been suspended for some time and I understand it has not yet cleared the Second Reading stage.

Rumours have it that the two sides of the House have held discussion with a view to reaching an understanding as, otherwise, the two thirds majority would not come about.

Is it possible for the two sides to include in this Bill the suggestion that, for the purposes of European Parliament elections, Gozo would also be designated as a distinct electoral district? This would mean that Gozo's distinct representation would be assured both in the House of Representatives and in the European Parliament.

I urge all constituted bodies in Gozo, as well as opinion formers, to make their voice heard in this regard.

francomasini@gmail.com