CNi hails Ireland's decision to reject Lisbon Treaty

The Lisbon Treaty "is dead" according to the Campaign for National Independence, which yesterday hailed Ireland's decision to reject it in a referendum.

"Ireland's vote exposes the EU's democratic deceit in ratifying the treaty without popular consensus. It highlights the people's sentiment against the politicians' arrogance," said CNi leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici, former Prime Minister and Labour leader, criticised Malta's Parliament for unanimously rubber-stamping the treaty in one sitting in January, rushing the process though without debate.

"Our Parliament approved the treaty in under three hours. We are ridiculing our country in the eyes of other member states," he said at a press conference.

It was pointed out that MLP's new leader Joseph Muscat had taken a stand in favour and expressed his disappointment at Ireland's decision to reject the treaty in a referendum. Did he feel this was a mistake?

"I absolutely disagree with the stand. I never agreed, I don't agree and never can agree, because it (the treaty) goes against the democratic principles of the majority."

How did he feel that Malta stood to lose its sixth seat in the European Parliament as a consequence of Ireland's rejection?

"Malta has enough, if not more than enough, seats. The politicians stand to lose, but the country has lost nothing," he said, smiling wryly.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici questioned how the EU could press ahead with "business as usual" and attempt to salvage the treaty ratified by 18 of the 27 member states, when Ireland had rejected it. The treaty has to be ratified by all member states before it comes into force.

This further accentuated the EU's "hypocrisy and arrogance" he said referring to The Times's editorial on Saturday, even though he admitted he did not always approve of what this newspaper had to say.

Quoting from the editorial, he said Ireland and the rest of the club had to wait and see if the freedom of the Irish voter would fall foul of "collective bitchiness".

Dr Mifsud Bonnici felt there were three main reasons why the Irish rejected the treaty: It would strengthen the Union's military power, transfer greater power from member states to the European Parliament, and extend the areas where the EU could forge ahead on certain decisions without consensus.

"To be European we don't need to eat the same food, wear the same clothes and vote the same way. We speak of diversity, but when it comes to leading a country, this concept seems to be non-existent."

He now feared the EU would try to pass the treaty through a general referendum by getting member states to vote at the same time they were voting for the MEP elections.

"If this happens, a majority of 'yes' votes will bind everyone, while those against will have to bow their heads. I believe there should be consensus from everyone," he said.