Mark Micallef
Muscat cancels endorsements by MEPs
More high-profile MEPs were being lined up to pledge their support for Joseph Muscat's bid for Labour's top job but the endorsements were cancelled after the negative reaction to that of Martin Schultz, The Times has learned.
On Friday Mr Shultz, the head of the Party of European Socialists (PES) in the European Parliament, made a surprise appearance at a press conference in Malta, pledging his support for Dr Muscat's leadership bid. He lauded the MEP's European credentials, saying that he was here to support "his MEP".
The move, however, sparked an angered reaction by the other contenders, who immediately wrote a strongly-worded letter to PES president Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, calling for the group to condemn and disassociate itself from the endorsement.
"This act, in our opinion, amounts to interference in our party's internal matters," said the letter, sent by Michael Falzon on behalf of the other contenders. "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."
Contacted yesterday, Dr Muscat confirmed he had called off endorsements by a number of MEPs as a result of the reaction to Mr Schultz's endorsement.
He would not name the MEPs but said that given the "malaise" that the endorsement had created within the party, he decided to call off similar pledges that were being planned.
He qualified that this didn't mean he agreed with the position taken by the other candidates, insisting that such endorsements are common practice in democratic countries.
Nonetheless, he said he would rather not further the acrimony.
Fielding questions during an activity on Sunday, he said that he took note of what the other contenders had said on the matter and he would now let the delegates decide.
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Jennifer Cosaitis
May 31st 2008, 01:31
Mr Galea are you blaming the NP for the sorry state the MLP in? Of course it is currently the highlight of the news - I actually believe it should have its own section in the newspaper - under "Joke of the Day"
Joe Galea
May 30th 2008, 08:31
As Joe Muscat gallantly called off other endorsement (and for those who are politically ignorant, should inform themselves about democratic practices in such circumstances) for the PN innate spinners in here, it is a U-Turn (J. Grech)
If he still went on with the endorsements, then he would have been called an instigator, undemocratic, etc etc.
You PN blindfolded lickers can prepare your ammunition against the new Labour leader especially if he is J. Muscat, as you know that your GonziPN government is digging us deeper underground everyday, so to ditract the attention from this already failing government, shoot the new Labour leader. MMM a good idea for a video game!! lol
Get a life you people and take a break from your nonsense pls.
Francis Attard
May 30th 2008, 07:53
Do you remember what Martin Schulz said in his endorsement of Joseph Muscat? He came here to declare that Joseph Muscat is a deeply convinced pro-European and that Muscat helped him solve problems within the socialist group.
Is there anyone out there who could have expected Dr.Alfred Sant to endorse, openly, Dr.Muscat instead of Mr.Schulz? Imagine Dr.Sant appearing in a press conference with Dr.Muscat and declaring that the latter is 'a deeply convinced pro-European' and that he had such 'diplomatic abilities' that he helped in solving problems whitin the MLP.
Joe Vella
May 30th 2008, 06:16
@ Edward Darmanin
In regards to the endorsement issue you make reference to freedom of speech. May I ask you if freedom of speech within the MLP is a concept that it is only practised by a few when it is convenient to them?
R Camilleri
May 28th 2008, 22:34
Trouble with JM is that he needs the support of his mentors and bosses. Given that his mentors are responsible for the mess the labour partry is there is not much hope for success here.
On the other hand GA has already neutralised the usual fierce critics and columnists of the labour party. That gives him the competitive egde over JM who has already suffered attacks from the usual columnists as he is an easy target.
Edward Darmanin
May 28th 2008, 21:22
I personally see nothing wrong with endorsements. They're brought up all over the world (where there is freedom of speech). And think back to the days of the Foreign Intereference Act (or whatever it was called). That has long changed but some may perhaps still find it difficult to accept? What I find most interesting in all this however is the fact that Mr Muscat is appearing to some as acting like a gentleman, to others he's gone on the U-turn trail. In reality, by announcing to all just how many 'hgh-profile MEPs' were ready to endorse him but had to be cancelled, what is he doing? Blowing his trumpets in a way just as effective, if not more effective, than had there been an-ill received list of endorsements. Someone has a brilliant PR assistant here!
Jennifer Cosaitis
May 28th 2008, 21:08
Of course I'm referring to Joseph Muscat Mr B Grech - who else could I be referring to? If Mr Muscat is the Mr Know it All that he pretends to be, then of course one could have foreseen the "malaise" created in the party as an adverse reaction. And if he had really not foreseen these reactions, but still believed that his actions were truly innocent in instigating these endrosements, then why on earth did he go back on his actions and cancel the other endorsements?
m.portelli
May 28th 2008, 18:33
What about being Schultz's MEP. Will he ever be the MLP's man ? (Not that I'm going to get an answer from the horse's mouth.) Labourites take the value of loyalty very seriously. How will he put to rest the minds of the thousands who voted against membership?( after all he did nothing to convince them otherwise in 2003). How will he seek to please them? That is going to be some juggling act!
RE JM's surprise at reactions ,.......not further acrimony ........good of the party etc etc...
I really fail to see how any marketing strategist forgets to take into account and anticipate adverse reactions. Is it a case of not enough market research or sloppy strategy because the kigdom is surely his? What this shows is a naivety in gauging and anticipating reactions. I suggest he takes ‘theory of mind’ to heart it might come in handy. Is there any one he does not want to please?
Charles DeMicoli
May 28th 2008, 18:12
@Joe Grima: I suppose Joseph Muscat was taken aback by the reaction to the endorsement by Shultz as much as a lot of people were. Maybe in his sphere of operations, the European Parliament, he is more exposed to this style of electioneering, a style, which I predict, will be adopted in Malta in the future. I feel that the reaction by the other contenders was over the top and actually tarnished their image. Our party needs to free itself of achieving the same results by doing the same thing over and over. As a front runner, Muscat is already the target of the biased, negative media - the knives are being sharpened and the insults started already. The more things change, the more they stay the same. I appeal to the delegates to weigh all measures, local and international; current, intermediate and distant goals when making their choice.
George Abdilla
May 28th 2008, 17:42
@John Grima: The reaction over the Schultz endorsement was so out of place and out of touch with the present European status of Malta, that I for one could have never imagined such a reaction. On the contrary I was deeply shocked by the reaction for it confirms that most Maltese (especially Labourites) still have no idea what being part of the EU really means.
It seems that the notion of a European citizenship as enshrined once again in the Lisbon Treaty has still not seeped into the Maltese psyche. Moreover it must be pointed out that Mr. Schultz is Chairman of the Parliamentary Group which is independent of the PES political group which is headed by Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. In fact a Labour MEP can align himself with a different faction within the EP even though the MLP is a member of the PES. To be fair, I do not expect many people to know of this technicality.
Finally I must say that I was very much enthused by the fact that a potential MLP leader has solidified by this endorsement his pro-European credentials. I would have hoped that this was a positive thing for Labour.
John Grima
May 28th 2008, 17:01
@ George Abdilla. Joseph Muscat may be putting the interest of the party first but does not the fact that he accepted the endorsements from Martin Schultz , and that he was was going to accept even more endorsements, show lack of judgement on his part. He should have anticipated the reaction he got had he thought the whole thing through.
Ben Grech
May 28th 2008, 15:44
An endorsement from the leader of the european socialists, says a lot about Joseph Muscat. If anything its one heck of a recommendation from a reliable source. Criticising Dr Muscat for accepting such an endorsement, is being pretty harsh. Its interesting to note that the individuals and organisations making the most raucous about this storm in a teacup all have their own reason for discrediting Dr Muscat.
Ben Grech
May 28th 2008, 14:21
@Jennifer Cosaitis; Could you please explain your comment? If you re referring to Joseph Muscat, could you kindly explain he's so pathetic in your mind? So what if he was endorsed by the leader of the european socialists. If anything that s what a sane person would take as one hell of a reccomendation from a highly reputable source. Its quite clear that Dr Joseph's superb work in brussels has won him the admiration of his colleagues.
Jennifer Cosaitis
May 28th 2008, 13:07
Everyone has the right to be pathetic...but some people seem to be stretching it to its maximum
Joe Vella
May 28th 2008, 12:50
@ Ramon Casha
Contrary to you assertions such endorsements are not common around the world. I challenge you to cite examples. You do not find Foreigners interfering with the internal affairs of a Political Party in another Sovereign State.
I believe that all five of the Leadership Candidates are members of the MLP, not just Joseph Muscat; and as such they should all be treated equally by the PES. The President of the European Socialist, through his spokesperson, condemned the actions of Martin Schulz.
What comes to question in all of this is Joseph Muscat's judgement and his ability to lead. He should have never sought nor accepted such endorsement(s). Period
louis ebejer
May 28th 2008, 12:43
@ kieth chircop
Its not a bunch of people but MEPs.Remember before the referendum and the 2003 election Mr. Prodi and Mr. Van Huesien coming to Malta to urge the Maltese to vote Yes and in favour of the PN in that election.How about the likes of Elieen Montesin on Xarabank praising EFA.
May I ask, of when its a sin to praise somebody in public and show support to him? Mr Shultz and many other MEPs have been working close to Mr Muscat for the past 4 years and by now I am sure that they have built a positive opinion about Mr Joe Muscat
M. Brincat
May 28th 2008, 11:36
J Grech, please stop talking nonsense. Please!
I did not like Mr. Schulz endorsing Dr. Muscat. I said it and I repeat it. Not only I did not like that endorsement, but many others did not like that endorsement, including the other 4 contestants.
So Dr. Muscat showed a good gallant spirit (and lots of common sense as well) by canceling the other endorsements. It has nothing to do with U-Turns!
George Abdilla
May 28th 2008, 11:29
There's nothing wrong with these endorsements, they happen in all democratic processes. However it is good to see that Joseph is putting the interests of the Party first and foremost seeing that his endorsement by Schulz has so hurt his colleagues, a fact which he acknowledged. This shows how ready he is to unite the party.
Ramon Casha
May 28th 2008, 11:08
Such endorsements are commonplace around the world. Those who can't vote can still wave a flag.
Muscat probably left a good impression at a European level. The MLP is a member of the PES, so if they see in Muscat someone who would elevate the MLP's role in Europe, they show that through their support. The voters on the other hand have to balance that against what is best for the MLP at a local level.
R. C Conti
May 28th 2008, 10:45
He may seem to be pathetic to some but it's his campaign and he's got every right to do so.
J Grech
May 28th 2008, 10:37
Its reassuring to see that he is already well trained in U-turns.
(like his predecessor)
victor caruana
May 28th 2008, 10:16
If Joseph wins the leadership he would surely invite his distinguished guests from the EU after the event. The nationalists will hate this, as the carpet will be pulled from under their feet. With all their european and christian credentials and their presence on the decision table nothing of note has yet been generated. In fact our economic indicators/standards are diminishing, rather than reaching the EU bloc average.
Josheph's behaviour (stopping the edorsement process) indicate a new way of doing politics - away from parochialism and other stupidities such as those employed by JPO.
Keith Chircop
May 28th 2008, 08:46
So Mr Muscat had organized a bunch of people coming to Malta one by one to endorse him.
"Mummy, look!"
Pathetic.