Malta lobbying for sixth seat in next EP

Malta is lobbying for a sixth seat in the European Parliament as soon as the revised Lisbon Treaty is approved.

The government is insisting with fellow member states that Malta's sixth seat should be given immediately after the Lisbon Treaty enters into force and not in 2014 when the next European parliamentary elections are due after those of 2009.

The treaty, which revised the allocation and number of seats in the European Parliament, added a seat to Malta's complement of five. In all, 25 of the present 27 member states ratified the reform treaty, which, in essence, streamlines the workings of the EU and amends its fundamental treaties, agreed on over the years.

However, the process of ratification came to a screeching halt last June when the Irish voted against it in a referendum. An agreement is now expected to be reached with the Irish government on how to resolve the legal impasse.

As things stand, Europe will be going to the polls next June to elect its representatives in the European Parliament but the position with regard to the seats is still unclear.

"Malta has been working behind the scenes over the past weeks to make sure that if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified after the next EP elections are held it would still have the right to increase the number of seats immediately after the new rules enter into force," government sources said.

The problems, obviously, do not affect only Malta.

"There are other member states in the same boat as Malta," an EP official said. "According to the new Lisbon Treaty, some member states will lose seats and some will add when compared to the present composition of the EP. We are insisting that this issue is clarified by the EU member states in order to make sure which rules should apply."

During this EU summit, Malta is insisting that the pending issue be discussed and tackled as part of the overall agreement with Ireland on the way forward for ratification of the treaty.