Mark Micallef
Schulz 'defended Muscat from press attacks'
Martin Schulz.
The president of the Party of European Socialists has failed to condemn Martin Schulz's support of Joseph Muscat, as he had been asked to do by the other contenders for the leadership post who were aggrieved by that endorsement.
In a short reply addressed to the contenders (Dr Muscat included), Poul Rasmussen said that his party does not take positions on candidates of its member parties as leadership contests such as Labour's are an internal matter.
Mr Rasmussen instead characterised the comments on Dr Muscat made by Mr Schulz, the president of the Socialist Group within the European Parliament, as really an attempt to defend Dr Muscat "from attacks in the right-wing press".
The letter comes in response to an angered complaint made by Michael Falzon to the PES last Friday, on behalf of his fellow leadership hopefuls George Abela, Evarist Bartolo and Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, following Mr Schulz's endorsement of Dr Muscat in a surprise press conference.
The letter, sent on the same day as the press conference, called 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," Dr Falzon wrote, going on to call the endorsement "deeply offensive, totally irregular and highly unethical".
Mr Rasmussen replied: "I wish to make clear that the Party of European Socialists does not and never has taken any positions on leadership candidates of our member parties. As PES President, I consider that this is a matter for national party members themselves to decide, in accordance with the election rules of each party.
"That is also the conviction of Mr Schulz. I have been informed that Martin Schulz was defending Mr Muscat from attacks in the right-wing press and (Mr Schulz) stated that all candidates were valid in this leadership election."
Mr Rasmussen wished all the candidates the best for the election.
In the press conference Mr Schulz had said: "The Malta Labour Party has a chance of being led by a man who has gained very important experience in European institutions and how to represent the specific interests of Malta, the smallest EU member state and, in doing so, influenced the Socialist Group."
Asked whether he thought that his support for Dr Muscat was unethical or discriminatory in respect of the other contenders, he had replied that he did not think so, adding that he thought all candidates were valid and whoever won was acceptable to him.
The reaction of the other contenders to the endorsement, however, has led Dr Muscat to cancel other endorsements he had lined up, citing the "malaise" that Mr Schulz's support has created within the party.
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, but he would rather not further the acrimony.
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john fenech
May 30th 2008, 12:02
Who informed Mr. Shultz about Dr. Muscat plight because in Mr Rasmussen words “Mr Schultz was defending Mr Muscat from the attacks in the right wing media” So we have a German Gentleman who wishes to teach our dear grandmother how to suck eggs!
Since when did the right wing media influence the Labour Party delegate’s way of thinking or more important whom to vote? Because they have to elect the new leader, and according to most sources this is almost a foregone conclusion.
This might be the case --‘that in politics, your enemies can't hurt you, but your friends (colleague) will kill you’.
Either Mr J.Muscat is politically naive or else he is following in some else’s footsteps! This could put him at the helm of the party but might seriously endanger the ship’s final destination
Malcolm Seychell
May 29th 2008, 21:10
This piece of news is fantastic,.
He wants to be protected from daddy Schulz becuse of the right wing media
Can anybody tell me which this right wing media is in Malta?
If Malta has a problem is that we have an extrem left party, 2 center left and AN center right
Charles DeMicoli
May 29th 2008, 17:38
What's wrong with endorsements? Why are some people so afraid of endorsements? And, Sergio, what's up with your comment, "Whenever did we Maltese need to resort to seek refuge in foreigners against fellow Maltese?" Malta is physically an island, but it's not an "island" any more in this day and age. This wasn't an endorsement "against fellow Maltese", as you put it. We have a difference of opinion on who should lead the MLP, but do not resort to such bombastic statements, please.
V. Cauchi
May 29th 2008, 17:09
I think that it would be more than appropriate for someone to publish the whole text of Mr Poul Rasmussen's short reply to the letter originated by Dr Michael Falson and signed by Dr George Abela, Dr Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and Mr Evarist Bartolo so that we can draw our own conclusions on this storm in a teacup.
@Sergio Galea Vincenti
Please do stop referring to citizens of the European Union as foreigners. The European Union is now made up of 25 nations gatehring around 500 million people calling themselves European citizens. Mr Martin Schultz is a European citizen just as much as you are. Non-EU citizens are correctly referred to in Italy as extra-communitari
@ Cynthia Busuttil
Did you read what was revealed a couple of weeks ago about what happened in the 70's when a delegation from the Nationalist Party travelled to Rome to persuade Aldo Moro from continuing to give his assistance to Malta in its fight to obtain real independence and rid itself from foreign military bases?
C. Scerri
May 29th 2008, 15:15
"was defending Mr Muscat from attacks in the right-wing press " - attacks in the sense that the presumed right wing papers were reminding everyone about the famous words of Joe Muscat - i.e ''It would lead to an erosion of competitiveness for our country,'' and that the structure of European Union government meant that a country like Malta ''really doesn't have any type of voice.'' These were said on the morrow of the referendum - that is really deep rooted pro-Europeanism!!!
martin portelli
May 29th 2008, 14:48
Why would Joseph Muscat need defending from press attacks? Surely as a native Maltese within the confined social space of the Maltese political theatre he is accultured to the sling /pen shots from the right and left? I think there must have been a blip in communication. How did Mr. Schultz flog that one? With respect to the concept of diversity, I would advise Mr. Schultz to read up on the value of 'irgulija' in Maltese culture. There are rules to playing fair. Fighting your own battles in the playground or elsewhere is the first step to being your own man/woman. If one is as good as one’s tongue and pen proclaim then whistling for big brother's( or sister’s) help, does not quite earn you points with the seasoned onlookers in the village pjazza or the glocal one .
Joe Vella
May 29th 2008, 14:12
Now we have BIG BROTHER in Brussles and Bonn to shield the likely leader of the MLP; and God help us, after what is being laid in front of us over the last few days. a possible future Prime Minister of Malta.
The MLP and Joseph Muscat never stop to amazed me!
Sergio Galea Vincenti
May 29th 2008, 12:00
Shame on you Dr. Muscat! Whenever did we Maltese need to resort to seek refuge in foreigners against fellow Maltese?
And if push comes to shove, we Labourites all know that all candidates in this leadership (with, of course, the exception of Dr. Abela) were criticised in some way by the 'right-leaning' media.... (and not only that, to be fair).
The more time passes, the more undignified this race is becoming... and this thanks to this and similar antics.
c.t. busuttil
May 29th 2008, 09:57
Ehh who was it who created the FOREIGN INTERFERENCE ACT in the 70's? The Malta Labour Party. And why? To stop German financial contributions towards an institution that taught democracy, also during the 70's. This Act still exists. Has it been broken? Will action be taken? (Cynthia Busuttil, Sliema)