Labour leadership contenders fume over Schulz endorsement of Muscat
Formal complaint made to the PES
Four Labour leadership contenders have complained that the endorsement of Joseph Muscat by PES chairman Martin Schulz was “deeply offensive, totally irregular and highly unethical”.
The four voiced their anger in a letter sent to Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists after Mr Schulz came to Malta to express his backing for Dr Muscat at a press conference.
The letter, written by Michael Falzon, reads:
“Dear Mr Rasmussen,
“As you might remember, my name is Dr Michael Falzon, Deputy Leader for Party Affairs of the Malta Labour Party.
“I am writing to you on behalf of the four contenders for upcoming Labour leadership election: George Abela, Evarist Bartolo, Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca, and myself, to express our disappointment and dismay, at the fact, that Mr Martin Schulz, was in Malta today, to endorse the candidature of Joseph Muscat, the other contender for the post of Leader of the Malta Labour Party.
“We are sure you agree that it is deeply offensive, totally irregular, and highly unethical (and uncalled for), to have an official of the Party of European Socialists endorsing one particular candidate, to the detriment of the other four Party members contesting for that same post within our Party.
“This act, in our opinion, amounts to interference in our Party’s internal matters. Not only so, but we are sure you would agree, that it is the Malta Labour Party as a whole which is a member of the PES, and not just one particular individual, and therefore we expect the PES to disassociate itself categorically and promptly from, and to condemn Mr Schulz's actions.
“We feel that we do not need “Big Brother” to tell us who we should elect as Leader.
“We would be grateful if you could kindly pass on this communication to the other members of the PES, whilst awaiting your reply.”
See also -
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080523/local/muscat-wins-endorsement-of-european-socialists-head
Picture: Mr Schuz with Dr Muscat yesterday.