Former union chief, EC official interested in becoming MEPs

A nurse and an official of the European Commission Representation in Malta are interested in contesting next year's MEP elections on behalf of the Nationalist Party.

The former president of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, Rudolph Cini and Edward Demicoli, the press and political officer of the European Commission Representation, confirmed their interest when contacted by The Times.

Their potential candidature for next June's election still has to be approved by the party's executive. "It is the party that will decide," Mr Demicoli said when contacted.

Mr Demicoli's involvement in EU affairs goes back a number of years, even before Malta's accession in 2004, when he was the deputy head of Malta EU Information Centre.

"I was always involved in EU-Malta matters, so it is almost a natural progression," he said when contacted yesterday afternoon.

The 38-year-old father-of-two said it was still early days to discuss his priorities if elected, but said there are a number of issues which are important, such as security, especially when this refers to food and migration.

Mr Cini - an infection control nurse who sits on the International Council of Nurses' 15-strong board of directors - said irregular immigration will be at the top of his agenda if elected to the European Parliament.

"A lot has already been done, but we need to see how to encourage other countries to support Malta to reduce the impact that the influx of immigrants is having on the country," he said, adding that it was also important to ensure that Frontex continues to work effectively.

The 44-year-old father-of-one said he plans to listen to people's concerns during the next nine months, and try to understand what is still unclear in people's minds.

Mr Cini continued that it was imperative to obtain more funds from the EU for the environment and try to increase the female participation in the workforce by raising the number of childcare centres. "We also need to promote teleworking," he said.