Friday, 23rd May 2008 - 12:02CET
Updated: Muscat wins endorsement of European socialists' head
(Updates with Labour electoral commission reaction)
Labour leadership contender Joseph Muscat this morning won a glowing endorsement from Martin Schulz, the chairman of the Party of European Socialists, currently visiting Malta.
“I am here to express my support to my friend Joe, a very important member of our parliamentary group. I know Joseph Muscat as a deeply convinced pro-European,” Mr Schulz said at a press conference.
He praised Dr Muscat for his “diplomatic abilities” which, he said, had helped him solve problems within the socialist group. He said Dr Muscat's experience in the EU institutions would be an added advantage should he be elected MLP leader.
Dr Muscat thanked Mr Schulz for his backing and said that should he be elected leader, his work in the European Parliament was a useful experience in his efforts to change the way things worked in Malta.
He promised that if he was not elected he would help the new leader and support all efforts to further the strong relations with the European socialists.
Mr Schulz said when questioned that he viewed all the other leadership contenders as valid people.
Meanwhile, following a decision by Labour’s electoral office which is overseeing the campaigns of the five leadership contenders, One TV this evening did not broadcast what Mr Schulz said about Dr Muscat and did not carry footage showing Mr Schulz. It however carried comments by Dr Muscat.
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Comments
I agree in part with you. I do think that MLCP is a valid individual. But not as leader. She would fit perfectly as Deputy Leader for Party Affairs. She knows how to gather people round and she's quite determined in her speeches.
But as a leader we need something more. We need a man with a vision and who's energetic enough to go through with the challenge. He also needs to be a person that love Labour and who people can trust into. Joseph Muscat is the man who can do perfectly as leader.
Time will tell.
If you're still thinking about the 1981 election I think you're due for a heavy update. The year is 2008.
Just like your party when you have no reasonable argument you resort to personal insults. Why is it that the likes of you always stop at the year 1981, if you had any intellegence you should go further back i.e to 1930's. On the other hand your world must have begun in 1981 so you were still in nappies then and as such you were brought up with all the benefits of MLP Social Services and for that you should be thanking you lucky stars.
I do not have a vote for the 5th June, although I am sure of what I believe. Our party needs a leader who bleeds labour.
Unfortunately the most promenades two are the most not required for the MLP.
Joseph you are on a good track for future leader. Today, if you really love the MLP please continue with the job you are doing at the European Parlament.
George, no please, not now. I have to see and feel your come back first.
I suggest the delegates to Vote for the Lady, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.
She knows exactly what she wants and how to do it. Her election results explain.
She knows exactly what she believes.
She is a lady, and our party requires a lady to do the MLP ONE PARTY.
George Azzopardi
I cannot see the hatred that is coming out of us Nationalists. Even ONE News did not broadcast and censored what Mr. Martin Shultz had to say about our most beloved DrJosephMuscat. As I said before, and this many agree with me, what Mr. Martin Shultz did is disgustingly UNETHICAL, UNPRINCIPLED, DISRUBTABLE and so on and so forth.
And what on earth have the university students have got to do with Schulz’s visit?
Since Mr. Catania mentioned them, now we know that, the poor show by DrAlfredSant in that instance is one of the main reasons that helped the MLP lose the last general elections and this comes out from the report (full of lies, as per Michael Falzon of the MLP) that was issued by the party about their third consecutive electoral defeat.
And by saying that the Nationalists stole the last general election makes you simply RIDICULOUS Mr. Catania. Were you in Malta in 1981? Did you ever know that the MLP governed Malta for more than five years with just 49% support of the Maltese population?
Again Mr. Catania, do not be ridiculous.
To cite Edward Kennedy endorsement of Obama to Justify the endorsement of Joseph Muscat by Martin Schulz is totally ridiculous. There is no comparison between the two instances.
Firstly, Edward Kennedy is American like Obama; and not a FOREIGNER as is Martin Schulz in this case.
Secondly, Dr. Joseph Muscat is running to be Leader of the MLP; and
Thirdly, Martin Schulz endorsement could only be justified of Dr. Joseph Muscat was running to occupy any position within the European Socialist Movement.
If, Dr. Joseph Muscat have any leadership qualities he should have never sought nor accepted such an endorsement.
Endorsements can backfire: The Maltese saying goes 'Ma min rajtek, xebbahtek' but we all know that it does really, always work like that. Example? The endorsement of sorts by Dom Mintoff of Dr. George Abela...
Some candidates have chosen not to seek public endorsements in order to present an image of being 'their own person' - which is a wise strategy in a way and is certainly more respectable than the charades we see in the US and other countries.
On another matter, for those who have chosen to criticise Dr. Michael Falzon because of this letter, they should note that the letter was signed by Dr. Falzon - as is clearly stated in the article - on behalf of the other three candidates as well.
Likewise, on commenting on the MLP's document on the last election result, I would wait to read it in detail and see the reactions of any people mentioned in the report.
was one of the main people in the MLP that was anti EU before the MLP did a U-Turn (such as is its nature since A.S & Clique became at the helm)?
George Vella also endorses J.M and since he is part of the LOSERS and U-TURNS, will J.M do more U-Turns if he is elected as MLP leader.
'Remeber Svizzera fil-Mediterran'!!!!!!
Elementary my dear Watsons!
Power at all costs....
Martin Shulz would have been very wise indeed had he shut up and not tried to involve himself in the workings of the MLP... but, honestly, I wonder who really approached him... If it was Dr. Muscat or someone from the 'old guard'...
Let's wait and see but - I repeat - this campaign is now beyond a farce.
I would have thought that if one would want to give exclusivity (since it has to do with the MLP leadership race), it would have been One TV, although in my opinion no-one should distinguish between one TV station and another. Is this why One News did not report it, because it was left out? Why, may I ask, was the news of a European Socialists' head arrival to Malta was reported exclusiely on Net TV and not at least on PBS? It doesn't make sense?
Would it be that Dr Muscat is trying to give the impression that now he is truly Pro-EU?
I simply cannot see any hope and future with a person who is an identical replica (most probably cloned) of DrAlfredSant.
Actually we will be very much worse off. We are going to have a situation were the Leader of the MLP and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament is not the same person , but as they are cloned, there will be two of them incorporated in one person. Poor MLP
What is your third question please?
@ MLP king makers
I would have never imagined that when you held that "l-MLP huwa l-partit taz-zghir" you were referring to age. You can't stand people who dare to challenge you and define loyalty as being blindfolded.
Thanks for that reminder. Funny ... but man what a clown! And to think he was re-elected.
We're not that bad after all but if we do not have decent parties that endorse ALL voters, we can easily end up in the same situation. Let the MLP be the first like GA suggested and enough with this internal politiking.
I do not think that it was fair to all the other contenders and Dr. Muscat is an opportunist. I believe that the report that has been leaked already regarding the successive electoral defeats of the MLP should also take into consideration Dr. Muscat's role in it as well.
Yes I do believe that get Dr. Muscat will give us another five year term of Gonzi in 2013!
Is this approved by the electoral commission of MLP for all candidates with reference to abiding to a level playing field?
Is this approved by the statute of the Party? Is there any clause in the MLP statute confirming that endorsment of a contesting candidate may be carried out by local or foreign individuals although such an endorsement may put other contestants at a disadavntage?
One News did not air the press conference Schultz and Muscat gave because it's simply unethical to do so.
" All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others "
Any other comments are .............................. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In their infinite Wisdom, Labour delegates definitely don’t need to be told what to do by 19,000 MLP members, let alone share their voting rights with them; BUT OF COURSE the Wisest One has discovered that they definitely need Martin Schulz from Strasbourg to instruct them on WHO TO VOTE FOR on 5 June.
Certainly that would have been a great step forward, five weeks ahead of a general election in which quite a number of thousands of labourites voted for the Nationalist Party and not the party they supported to affirm that for them Malta was first and foremost through European Union membership and not partnership.That might perhaps have tipped the scale in favour of a labour govern against an already fatigue NP administration.
Unfortunately Mr. Schulz you stayed at home and we labourites missed the boat, in 2003 and 2008, despite the success achieved by the MLP deputies in the Europarlament.
Has Dr. Muscat seen Berlusconi’s exchange with Schultz on YouTube?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bPqaqGJ5Js
If Dr. Muscat is interested in the future you may wish to draw his attention to the vacancy of PES Deputy Secretary General which closes on 12 June.
http://www.pes.org/downloads/Notice_of_vacancies_Deputy_SG.pdf
Joseph you are our hope and our future.
The groaners seem to have passed their expiry date.
The other candidates? They can bring their own supporters. It is a true race - who works harder wins.
I still fancy Abela for the role - but after the race I will support whoever wins - because all 5 have very good qualities
The most telling word you used is "irrevocably".
Now I understand what Dr Sant meant when he said that he "resigned irrevocably"!
By the way, hasn't Mr Schultz told us last January that Dr Sant will be elected as Prime Minister and that he is the best leader?
Can anybody send a copy of Dr Joe Muscat's productions 'Made in Brussels' (aired on Super 1 in 2002) to Dr Schulz? Pity that few joined Dr Sant and Dr Muscat in believing that patnership won in March 2003! Dr Shulz would have joined ic-celelebrazzjonijiet tar-rebha tal-partnership.
It must be Labour!
Today, you convinced me that, if you are elected as labour leader, Labour would be a pro-european party and I will, finally, be free to vote labour again.
but what continues to surprise me is that many, within the labour party (as it is evident here in this blog) remain anti-eu. what is wrong of having Mr Schulz endorsing one of the candidates? I truly cannot understand why some persons are so critical of his visit to malta.
I wish I was a delegate, because I would have definately voted for Joseph! And my appeal to all delegates is.......if you want people like me (who are floaters or new voters) to vote again labour, or vote labour for the first time, vote for Joseph!
I am not going to enter into the merits of whether your support to Dr.Muscat was ethical or not, I do not really care, but at least now Malta can rejoice because we have a confirmation that, by having Dr.Muscat as leader of the MLP, all its inhabitants will be united as a pro-EU supporters. Under the past MLP leader half of the population was not sure whether to proclaim itself pro or anti EU. And Mr.Shultz, I am not kidding.
@Bocca : Please, do try and get a life
Yes, it is very obvious that Muscat will be the outright winner, for reasons that are also obvious: the delegates like him best.
This is not just perception, this was confirmed in a survey among the delegates.
Joseph Muscat: why did you bring Martin Schulz to Malta to speak on your behalf?
Need I point out to someone with 'European credentials' like yours that chairpersons of political parties in the European parliament are expected to show impartiality?
Martin Schulz represents 216 MEPs from all over the EU as chairman of the socialist PES parliamentary group. Today's official endorsement by the chairman throws the weight of the PES behind one candidate - ONE out of FIVE - in the Maltese Labour leadership contest. The president of the second largest party in the European parliament was ill-advised at best to get involved by taking sides in the leadership election of a PES member party.
Is this the 'European' way of doing politics? Is this the future that beckons for your 'Generazzjoni Rebbieha'?
You have a trait of supporting losers.
Come next elections floating voters will readily choose Gonzi again over Muscat who is perceived as an opportunist adjusting his EU policies for convenience rather than conviction.
Age has nothing to do with this. Fenech Adami beat a much younger Alfred Sant in 1998 and in 2003.
But than you still prefer partnership to membership so you must be completely out of touch with the views of the general electorate on whose preferences the new leader will stand or fall come 2013.
I`m glad to notice that you broke the silence after such a long time, but isn`t it obvious that you are only interested to see george abela as a leader? what if george abela is not elected, will you remain socialist....or will you follow the same path of george abela ( like he did for 10 years)
I see nothing wrong in having such a person from a european institution endorsing joseph muscat! don`t you think, that if any of the other candidates had the same good relationship with any important person like Mr Schulz would have done the same move? I think so at least!
The most positive thing about this event is that we are now assured that if joseph muscat will be elected as labour leader, we will definitely have a pro-european party. There is no doubt that this is what everyone is hoping for!
...................but couldn't Mr.Shulz have waited a bit more before coming to Malta and passing such comments right in the middle of a "campaign" ? people out here (outside the Glass Palace I mean!!) are not naive and stupid and this has all the smells of "hbieb tal-hbieb"!!............Mind you if Abela, Falzon and Coleiro Preca are happy with this Shulz affair, than heeey who am I to criticise??...........yet somehow I really doubt it!!!!!!
I wonder if the other contenders will say this - oh! But Europe is one country now, eh? Well, it seems that every knife has two edges, and the labour surely know how to use the 2nd edge!
Anyhow, good luck to Mr. Muscat, then.
Perhaps the MLP can save some cash and simply call off the election.
Dr. Sant in the background? don't be silly!!! He's never left the foreground!
It reminds us of an infamous law enacted by the Socialist Party of Malta, to which Mr. Muscat is hoping to become the leader, when it was in government undemocratically and against the WILL of the Maltese population.
It was a law that did not allow any FOREIGNERS to speak about Maltese politics in Malta. And now you come to hail Mr. Muscat at the detriment of the other four contenders in the same Socialist Party. You should have not done this. It is very unethical of you.
Something else. DoctorJoesephMuscat a pro-European? My foot!!!!!!!!!
The same would have been said by the PPE leader if either Casa of Simon Busittil where contesting for leadership
Dr Muscat achieved positive results in the EU, but to run a country is totally different
Also nobody can forget that Muscat was one of the main people in labour who was against the EU membership
The comments by Mr Schultz were crystal clear. He describes Joseph Muscat as a deeply convinced pro-European member of the PES parliamentary group. whose diplomatic abilities had helped him solve problems within the group.
Mr Martin Schultz has worked closely with Joseph Muscat for the past 4 years and knows very well what he is talking about.
Apart from this, Joseph Muscat's track record and the results he achieved as an MEP speak for themselves. Don't you think so Professor Fenech?
@ Others: This talk of Joseph Muscat being anti-EU is sadly imbecile and it reminds me of Orwellian 'doublethink' i.e. the act of holding two contradictory beliefs simultaneously, these being 'anti' and 'pro'. Yes, Joseph Muscat out of loyalty for his party followed the party line in 2003 but people conveniently forget that he chaired a party conference to adjourn MLP's politics in favor of the EU. People conveniently forget that he has done sterling work in the EP. People conveniently and persistently continue to create animosity and division where there should be none, perhaps because maybe they have been ingrained with the mentality of 'divide and conquer'. How people sincerely believe that Joseph can be anti-EU is beyond me.
Dr. Muscat good political qualities are already being noticed in the EU Parliament.This confirms of what the opinion of the majority of Labour supporters think of Dr Muscat.Mr Muscat record in the EU Parliament confirms that he is the New Star OF Maltese Politics.I am sure that come Friday the 6 th of June the Labour delagates will be expressing the wish of the thousands of Labour supporters opinion and choose Joe Muscat as the new party leader.
@James vella
What has Kennedy endorsement got to do with this. This is as if Gordon Brown would endorse Obama over Clinton!!
Frankly I think such things puts off ordinary members like me seeing how the party apparatchiks are leaving no stone unturned to see their candidate elected rather than the one who gives the best propsects for winning where it matters. It seems that Labour are comfortable in oppositon. We are NOT!!
Schulz comment about the diplomatic abilities cannot be more true. Which one of the 5 candidates showed this ability?
And the most important thing about Joe is that he knows how to smile. He must be really worrying most of all the PN strategists. They are the ones who are doing their best to push other candidates in this race with the hope that later they will have enough fire power to shoot at.
Congratulations Joseph, we will back you, however we will be loyal to whoever the delegates elect.
So, do we have to take these reactions that we humble socialists are not fit to do the same things the nationalists power gods have done over and over. Is this a simple gesture of having different classes of people in this country.
And as for those of you asking why are we waiting for 5th June....We are waiting because being considered a favourite doesn't mean one is already elected. Once the delegates vote for the new leader, we'll move on!
GOOD LUCK Dr Muscat!
With both national and now even international endorsements you are casting aside the legacy of Old Labour and Labour`s failure so that once and for all move the Labour Party towards success. Many thanks for promising to rebuild a modern, moderate, centre left, compassionate Labour Party that will recapture the centre ground from the Nationalist Party
Victory on the 5th of June will give you a decisive mandate to change the way the party looks, thinks and behaves.
With you as Leader, the Labour Party will abandon the Punch and Judy style of politics for a new political season.
One more note . Dear Dr. Muscat please do not for the sake of the MLP keep ending your interviews with ‘proof of the pudding is in the eating’ if there is one phrase that will link you indelibly with Dr. Sant it is that. Tell your campaign manager to come up with an original if you want true credibility as your own man.
Nothwithstanding though I have to agree with the other comments. Mr Schultz no matter the quite substantial weight his word carries is only helping out a friend. The position of party leader is still a local affair with a totally different angle for which experience within the EU circle has lower priority at the moment.
Thank you, Mr. Schultz. I see we poor iterant Maltese socialists do seem to need the confirmation of outsiders then, to help us in our choice. The new MLP vision incorporates the Nationalist trait of being totally exonormative (ie. A group that is wholly dependent for its norms on another community outside of itself) Just what exactly is this suppose to mean? That we can’t tell a pseudo penitent (because he has no choice now) anti – EU membership politician from a convincing pro –membership one? I am afraid it’s a case where it is easy for Mr. Muscat to posture as more European than heartland Europeans in Brussels & Strasbourg. However the exercise itself denotes he is having a hard time convincing a good number of us Maltese Labourites or otherwise who heard him and some of his endorsers speak prior to 2003. What are we meant to do, accept that European Socialists can now through this endorsement dictate who should be the leader of the Malta Labour Party? And you thought the certain elements of the Maltese media wanted to act as Kingmakers but this is the mother of all gimmicks.
As time goes by, us in Malta, will be even more desperate to have a PM with a foreign style and attitude.
Kennedy is the brother of the ex-president of the US and not the current president of the Democratic Party. In fact the current chairperson of the Democratic Party is Howard Dean. I don't think that any commentator has any problem with an ex-leader endorsing a particular candidate but for the current President of the PES to support a particular candidate in a political party member of his group is outragous! This is not fair towards the MLP in general! If Alfred Sant wants to endorse Muscat than let him be my guest, if Mintoff wants to endorse George Abela then again be my guest! But this is not acceptable in any democracy. The constituents of Schultz are all the European Socialist Parties, so he should not go directly in any campaign and try to influence.
So now we should have Gonzi go down to the Zabbar PN Committee and choose who the members should vote for? Is that democracy? I guess not!
Dom Mintoff endorsed Abela few weeks ago.
Mr Schulz is telling us that Dr Muscat is a deeply convinced European. Good for him. However Did Dr Muscat show Mr Schultz any of the programmes he used to produce prior the referendum.
In the US Kennedy has endorsed Obama for examaple.
It is just that Mr Schulz happened to have worked with Joseph and he knows he is capable; He also said that the other candidates as capable too.
Comments on Sant interfering - are so stupid.... does anyone here believe that Schulzreports to Sant and does what Sant says?!!!
Grow up. MLP has very good candidates and talents and will surely flourish in the near future.
1. Is this the same Schulz who endorsed the error infested MLP electoral manifesto!
2. Is there something wrong with all socialists anywhere! This endorsement, to put it mildly, is surely unethical from someone occupying the post!
3. Is Jason aware that Joseph is abusing his copyright plastic smile!
with great and sincere respect: a man of your calibre should not cast these doubts on the integrity and sincerity of Mr Schultz. Why do we have to remain ingrained in the siege mentality of the past and continue to discredit whoever does not toe our line?
I'm sure Mr Schultz chose to endorse Mr Muscat not out of personal proximity or friendship but because he truly believes what we said.
If we continue to choose to believe that people the stature of Mr Schultz can easily be fed the words one/s want to hear then there is no hope that this country will ever grow up.
I choose to accept Mr Schulz's judgement.
Glad to see that the MLP has moved on with the times...
btw in the article schulz is also quoted as saying that the other contenders are ' valid people '.
Are we now going to try and discredit people of such calibre as Martin Schulz? And are we now going to attack Joseph Muscat's true and sincere European credentials?
Reconsider the words 'statesman' and 'world leader' oh and 'successes'
If not mistaken, Mr Schultz didn't say Mr Muscat is the best. He pointed out Mr Muscat's positive points. He worked with him, so it's only about him he can pass comments.
Besides, the Group of Socialists in the European Parliament knows well what is going on in the Labour Party's leadership campaign and it is following it very closely. The type of endorsement being given by Mr. Schulz to Joseph Muscat is in conformity with what is done in all European and American democratic organisations and confirms how healthy is this contest for the Leadership of the Labour Party in Malta.
I will never understand
Professor D. Fenech should have at least congratulated Dr. Muscat before posting his comments.
I think he deserves this endorsment as this is the result of 4 years of exceptional work within the European Parliament.