Labour contenders fume over Euro-Socialist endorsement of Muscat
"I never thought it would be an issue" - Joseph Muscat
Four Labour leadership contenders have described the endorsement of Joseph Muscat by European Socialists head Martin Schulz as "deeply offensive, totally irregular and highly unethical".
The four voiced their anger in a letter sent to PES president Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, after Mr Schulz surprisingly made a flying visit to Malta on Friday to express his backing for Dr Muscat.
The letter, signed by deputy leader Michael Falzon, also on behalf of the other three contenders George Abela, Evarist Bartolo and Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, suggests there is a rift ahead of the June 5 leadership election.
In the letter, the contenders say it was unfair for a PES official to endorse one particular candidate to the detriment of the other four party members contesting the same post.
"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 (dissociate) itself categorically and promptly from, and to condemn Mr Schulz's actions." The four insisted that they did not feel the need for a "Big Brother" to tell the party who it should elect as leader.
During a news conference on Friday, Mr Schulz said the MLP had a chance of being led by a man who had gained significant experience in European institutions.
Mr Schulz is best known for his interlude with Silvio Berlusconi in 2003 when the Italian prime minister suggested that the heckling German MEP who had criticised him would be perfectly cast as a Nazi concentration camp guard in a forthcoming film.
When contacted, Dr Muscat admitted he was surprised at his colleagues' statement, which he described as strongly-worded.
"Endorsements are perfectly normal in any democracy. Martin came here in his own personal capacity and I never thought it would be an issue," he said.
Asked whether he feared that the letter could have dented his leadership chances, Dr Muscat said: "I'll let the delegates decide on that. I'm just looking forward to clearing the air."