Labour aims at bigger candidate line up for MEP elections
Elections are Muscat's first test
The Labour Party is aiming for a bigger and more varied line up that includes at least two women and a Gozitan for the forthcoming European parliamentary elections.
At the forthcoming extraordinary general conference, which is meant to elect the new administration, including the general secretary, delegates will be asked to vote on a series of amendments to the party's statute which raise the number of candidates for the MEP elections from eight to 10.
The changes also make it mandatory for the line up to include two women and a candidate resident in Gozo. Another significant change is the lowering of the threshold of delegate support needed to be accepted as a candidate.
So far, it was 70 plus one and the amendments propose to lower that to 50 plus one. If less than the targeted number of candidates present themselves for the elections, they will be approved by the national executive but if 10 or more candidates come forward, then the delegates will be asked to approve them at the general conference.
The elections may be just under a year away (June 2009) but the party is already focusing on them, a party source told The Times, pointing out that the polls are seen as the Labour's first test following the leadership change last month.
A number of new candidates have already been mentioned but none have committed themselves. Among the names being mentioned are those of George Abela, former Sea Malta chairman Marlene Mizzi, and One News journalists Charlon Gouder and Claudette Baldacchino. The former No2EU campaigner Sharon Ellul Bonnici has declared an interest to run on a Labour ticket.
MPs Evarist Bartolo and Leo Brincat's names were also being floated but they both categorically excluded the possibility when contacted yesterday.
On the other hand, the incumbents are most likely to include former One news journalist Glenn Beddingfield who is expected to take over Dr Muscat's MEP seat, when he steps down to take on the job of Opposition Leader in the Maltese Parliament.