PN presents EP election candidates

M.Farrugia

Apr 21st 2009, 10:58

Why all this fuss about Marlene Mizzi?

heard Marlene Mizzi on a couple of pre general election progammes on one tv. nothing impressive, she was unable to discuss an issue, wasting her time moaning about this and that, thought you were hearing aflred sant speaking. it was so clear she was only there to take revenge of her seamalta affair with dr gatt. it so clear she is not made for politics, just an opportunist.

And after all why vote for her, when she has already stated that her mission in the EU will be to shame Malta's government? Is this the spirit of the EU? Such a stance is not very encouraging in attracting new voters.

We want positive people with fresh ideas, such as Alan Deidun, who can help our country achieve the much needed leap forward in our environment. He clearly shows that he iks not afriad to speak on matters concerning the environment, even if it means criticising the govt or developers.
Vince Farrugia is another person who is never afraid to criticise and put his ideas forward when things can be improved. It is these type of people our country needs.

M. Spiteri

Apr 20th 2009, 16:11

@ Gauci Cunningham So what?? that doesn't make Marlene Mizzi qaulified to represent me and my family in the EU! . I consider Simon, Roberta, David, Edward Dem, Alan, Vince to have much better credentials to represent me and my family in the EU.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Apr 20th 2009, 11:52

More about the "incompetent" bunch...the ones some claim will emberass us in the EP---Marlene Mizzi---

In 1980 Marlene set up her own company- Amca Ltd- a retail and import company specialising in children and maternity wear. Marlene Mizzi is Chairman and part owner of Millennium Insurance Agency, set up in 1999. MIA is an agent for Lloyds of London.

Appointments. Marlene Mizzi was appointed Chairman of Sea Malta Company Ltd and its subsidiaries in April 1997 from where resigned voluntarily in June 2005. In 1998 she was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Bank of Valletta until December 2007.
Marlene is the only female member until January 2009 to be elected to the Council of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise since 1990. She occupied the post of Honorary Secretary of the said Chamber in 1992. She was also a Faculty member(FEMA) of the University of Malta. Marlene is a founder member of The Today Public Policy Forum, and the Chairman of the Academic Council of the Malta Institute of Management.

Incompetent??? You'd wish!!!!

Mike Magri

Apr 20th 2009, 09:12

@ Mr. Rapa and the rest... Please, do yourselves a favour... DON'T keep on being so pathetic, naive and childish, to say the least, in trying to undermine Profs Scicluna's Intellectual and Professional Abilities, recognized and well known by ALL, locally and abroad.. Profs Scicluna's HIGH Credentials are sought by one and ALL, and i can assure you, that people like Profs Scicluna are EXTREMELY RARE and HARD to find in this country of ours.

Consequently...My adivise is, that when anyone quote's Profs. Scicluna on ANYTHING, he/she, MUST first read and Professionaly digests the whole argument. I am sure that you will find ALL of Profs Scicluna's arguments, solidly based on Sound Financial and Economical practices, derived from deep intellectual knowledge and research of such subjects, and which in turn ends up to be of great Poltical sense..

Joe Galea

Apr 20th 2009, 08:44

Can anyone list what were David Casa's achievements in the EU?

@James Scerri: You made very obvious that you are a canvasser for RMTT. Can you tell us why she is no.1?

One has to clearly say what the PN MEP's have achieved and what the PL's ones achieved. If you go into the real detail one sees that the PL's MEP's have done a great amount of work and the new candidates are very promising and they promise concrete things accumulated from experience like Edward Scicluna, Sharon Ellul Bonici, etc.

James Scerri

Apr 19th 2009, 20:56

VOTE FOR :Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas she's the one! Forget Simon Busutill and David Casa....she's the one! NUMBER 1 for ROBERTA!

Joe Bondin

Apr 19th 2009, 19:27

Frank Portelli had a good fore sight about the immigration problem we are facing.....I will vote for him and simon in the next election. Simon did a good work in Europe, Frank will be our voice in europe too.

r rapa

Apr 19th 2009, 19:05

@M sammut

isnt edward scicluna the one who said that it was too early to join the euro?!

Joseph Borg

Apr 19th 2009, 18:07

PL's team is much better than Pn's.

I hope that if the PN manage to elect 2 candidates they won't elect David Casa again. Please elect people who really do some difference.

George Spiteri

Apr 19th 2009, 17:32

D. Muscat, I m not the Nationalist party PR but I can still point out Mr. Casa's success in the fisheries fund (he managed to attract various funds for the med region hence for local fishermen), he was the first MEP to get a European Parliament delegation over to Malta to highlight the problem of illegal immigration so that foreign MEPs can understand the gravity of our situation, he is the official spokesperson of the EPP for the social agenda and the european globalisation fund, both reports are cricual for Malta and he was the EP member to draft the report if slovakia should join the euro zone or not amoungst other important roles. He might not have good pr like other members but he gave his part unlike other MEPs who wer on a cruise during crucial voting sessions for Malta. What about PL success? There voting pattern at times is one of them votes in favour, the other one against and the third one abstains or doesnt attend the voting session.

D.Muscat

Apr 19th 2009, 15:14

@ GEORGE SPITERI
Can you please list all the results david casa achieved?

George Spiteri

Apr 19th 2009, 13:48

I strongly think that PN has the best line up of candidates fort the next MEPs elections. We have to be realistic, the present situation in the country ( a year after the general election) is not in favour of PN but this doesn't mean that people should not vote for the PN Candidates. Simon Busuttil and David Casa managed to achieve good results during the last five years, much better then the PL MEPs. People should take this into account and elect another PN representative together with Simon and David.

V Caruana

Apr 19th 2009, 10:21

PN should have gone to more vote-cathing personalities namely peppi azzopardi or Gejtu Vella. The only criteria I see in these PN candidates is that they are by far more anti-PL than pro-Malta.

christopher camilleri

Apr 19th 2009, 09:14

it's no use saying that labour opposed the EU. The are implementing and fighting for our rights - e.g. car tax. The PN candidates are aruging that LP opposed EU, but so what? I want candidates who fight for my rights. It's nonsense listening to "LP opposed EU six years ago". The fact is LP candidates are fighting for our rights. Good bye PN, not trustworthy anymore, if i paid a tax and i shouldn't have paid it, then give it back to me.

robert aguis

Apr 19th 2009, 00:59

truth is, these guys will run after each vote cos they know they will cash €80k+ a year if elected. thats how much they love to "serve their country". in the meantime the fools are happy to pick on each other's partisan politics!

M.Sammut

Apr 19th 2009, 00:37

It's true people shouldn't vote for the party but individuals. For example in my opinion we need a mixture of MEP's.

I decided to divide them in different categories:

EU law and funds - I believe it should be a difficult choice between Simon Busuttil, Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas and Sharon Ellul Bonici, although the latter tends to be sometimes controversial.

Medical Sector - I'd opt for Kyrill knowing that he already has an international experience and is a member in different committees specializing in this sector. Frank Portelli could be good but the Mater Dei fiasco isn't the perfect portofolio.

Social Sector - Without any doubt Claudette Abela Baldacchino. She's the only person qualified in social policy and gained experience from the EU Committee of the Regions and from the Commision for Economy and Social Policy (ECOS).

Economy - Definately Prof.Edward Scicluna...member of NECC,MCESD and if I'm not mistaken MFSA.

Environment - Dr.Alan Deidun for sure! Seems Borg seems enthusisatic as well but I prefer the first one.

Experience - One surely cannot forget Louis Grech who is the Head of the Maltese Delegation and seems that he worked very professionally and without using partisan tactics.

Anthony Borg

Apr 18th 2009, 22:47

The difference between the MLP and the PN candidates is that PN candidates have the guts and possibility to critisize their own party in Government, whereas the MLP candidates, do as their leader says.

If I have to choose, I will choose one who will find no problems in going against the Government to protect my European rights. Simon Busutill is the perfect case.

edwin formosa

Apr 18th 2009, 22:12

Minn dawn il-kummenti kollha l-aktar li tispikka hi IL-KONSISTENZA LABURISTA dwar L-EWROPA. Dokument storiku approvat unanimament.

GaleaL

Apr 18th 2009, 21:56

M Buttigieg
You have the gall to call Profs Scicluna Doom. Your own party does not seem to be of the same opinion as he was not only kept in his position but even given several other assignments by your PN Buttigieg. All PL candidates are valid unlike the motley collection of the PN.

Jeff Inguanez
Profs Scicluna never said that we should not adopt the euro. Apart from that Iceland's predicament has nothing to do with not having the euro but by the lax banking system that they had. The fact that such countries including Hungary with their dire economies and lax controls of the economy and banking sectors makes me shudder when they want to join the euro for other countries to help bail them out after allowing such disasters. It will only set back the euro area and increase the risks on the eurozone countries.

damian galea
Professionals built the Titanic, amateurs built the ark.

As for the unsuitability of the other PN candidates, other have already presented their comments.

GaleaL

Apr 18th 2009, 21:46

Roderick Chetcuti
The best candidates are the PL ones since they have shown who worked best for Malta in the EU. Satellite dishes tax, roaming fees, VAT on registration tax.
Profs Scicluna with excellent service to the nation under both PL and PN governments, SEB a fighter for Malta's rights, Marlene Mizzi another fighter who shall surely fight for Malta's interests, with all the rest of the PL candidates similarly valid and qualified to fight for our interests and not play lackey to the eu like PL candidates. SEB did not contest because she failed for a few votes to get the necessary number at the General Conference.

Gonezipn MEPs = Frontex ferry service for illegal immigrants to Malta.

To those who are saying that the PL was against the eu, why are yu criticizing it now when it is respecting the peoples decision and working in the present environment? Your arguments clearly show how you are all yes men and lackeys to whatever the eu says. We certainly do not need such MEPs to look after our interests in the eu. We need fighters like the PL candidates who are all valid.

GaleaL

Apr 18th 2009, 21:31

Mark Anthony Sammut
The PL MEPs only voted for voting rights for those who are LEGALLY resident in eu countries not for ILLEGAL immigrants.
Re the Guantanamo prisoners, until proven guilty everyone is considered innocent. They were abducted from European countries and will only be returned to those country if the countries accept. Furthermore, they will be under constant surveillance with their details on all the member countries databases and could be stopped if they tried to move to another country. As for detention, PL has it on record that they fully support the government in its detention policy. So stop trying to deceive the people.

M Callus
Consistency? Have a look at what Gonezipn promised and what is happening to all the sectors and workers and you get your answer.
'l-isqallin jehdulna xogholna' around 4,500 eu workers with work permit thousands others working on the black economy; 1,200 ILLEGAL immigrants with work permits; more than 8,200 other foreigners outside the eu with work permits; more than 7,000 Maltese workers WITHOUT work. EVERYBODY from the four corners of the earth qed jehdulna xogholna.

P. Schembri

Apr 18th 2009, 20:25

Well, soon the hunting (for votes) season will be open and in full swing. Looks like the PN are already looking into the past instead of the future, while the PL is looking into the future of our islands.

Of course mud-slinging and character assassination will be the order of the day till June 6th. But I'm sure that the Maltese will know who is the bogus.

I'm sure, as all Maltese knew in 2004, that the PL is the best candidate as guardian of our interests in the the European Parliament, that they will be doing the same this time around.

Alana Mangion

Apr 18th 2009, 20:22

@ all those criticising the candidates on the PL ticket, based on the fact that MLP opposed the entry into the EU in the past

Regardless of whether a section of the population opposed the entry into the EU or not, the same segment of the population became a part of the EU alongside the rest of the Maltese....and their taxes contribute in the same way and amount towards the annual Eur60m 'subscription' fee that is paid to the EU by Malta. In my opinion that is enough (although not the only issue) to place every citizen of these islands on equal footing with their fellow Maltese, and renders any other argument of why PL candidates are any 'less' than those presented by the PN moot.

J. Borg

Apr 18th 2009, 20:13

You're wrong Roderick Chetcuti

Labour did NOT win 3 -2 thanks to Alternattiva

Firstly we are speaking about EP not National elections.

Secondly, it was the PN's self-defeating policy of "instructing" that voters should ONLY vote PN canditates. This Grech got elected without a full quota, whereas Arold Cassola could have got elected with some extra PN last preferences votes.

Considering that your beloved PN adopted a similar strategy in the last two elections - i.e. factually "risking" a Labour victory (even at the expense of EU accession) - it takes some cheek from the PN to point figures at AD!

T.J. Grech

Apr 18th 2009, 19:40

@ Jeff Inguanez & M Buttigieg

I beg to differ from your comments regarding Prof Scicluna. You are simply parotting what the PN is trying to propagate about this good gentleman. If you really want to update yourselves in an unbiased way, I recommend that you look up the news articles where Prof Scicluna was mentioned (from Net tv to The Times to Illum etc)...Prof. never claimed that getting into the eurozone would be negative, but as any credible economist would have done, he cautioned that serious and concrete preparations would need to be done! I call that "Hila, Intelligenza, Kredibilta"....such a fitting motto for Scicluna to choose for his campaign.

As an intelligent person, it pains me to see such biased and unfair criticism of someone who can be so influential for the sake of all Maltese in Brussels.

@ Albert Gauci Cunningham.....spot on!

roderick chetcuti

Apr 18th 2009, 19:26

bla bla bla ........ 5 yrs ago labour won the elections 3 - 2 ( a big thank you to the Alternativa). Basically won all the local elections ........ but NOT the general election

BTW who wants the VETO !!????? shame on who is suggesting such a thing !!

M Callus

Apr 18th 2009, 19:23

I don't look only at CV's, I look at consistency and not at people who one year say one thing and immediately after say another. Only the PN was consistent in their policies. (By the way, do the MLP have any consistent policies?)

Mark Anthony Sammut

Apr 18th 2009, 19:11

I think the Maltese people do not quite get it yet. You are not voting for PN or MLP, you are going to vote for EPP or PES. So it would make much more sense if you checked out the track record of both European parties with regards to Malta.

The choice will then be clear.

PES: Voted in favour of illegal immigrants right to vote, against detention, and for the acceptance of Guantanamo terrorist prisoners.

EPP: Defended Malta in the opt-out clause of the Working time directive.

(to mention just a few)

J. Borg

Apr 18th 2009, 19:09

Simon Busuttil, Alan Deidun, Edwin Scicluna, Marlene Mizzi & Arnold Cassolla would be Malta's finest contributors.....with an eventual 6th seat to Kirill.
Pity self-defeating and petty party politics will set massive party machines in progress to our detriment.......however the vote is ours to cast with an honest and clear frame of mind.

Mario Borg

Apr 18th 2009, 19:09

When promotions and benefits will stop being given to incompetent or only to those "tal klikka" I will start considering giving PN a vote. too much is too much.

Why won't the government investigate the injustices which took place before the last elections in government corporations.

Couldn't stand corruption in the 80`s under a Labour government, can't stand it now.

Until then no voting.

Alex Borg

Apr 18th 2009, 18:52

No Way this time Gonzi PN. You've been fooling us around........just received my electricity bill ........ enemata incompitence is all PN GOVT FAULT. NO VOTE PN THIS TIME > GONZI PN YOU LIED.

PN supporters stop your negative attitude versus PL...........

Mike Magri

Apr 18th 2009, 18:49

Prime Minister.. Quote.."..convinced that through its 10 candidates, the PN was offering the country, the best choice possible.."......!!!!!!!!

Oh Boy... Now, for me, that's really the joke of the day, for the next 7 weeks, guys...

Could anyone REALLY immagine that that's what GonziPN could only come up with...!!!???

MISKIN....!!!

P. Schembri

Apr 18th 2009, 18:45

@All PN apologists. Simon Busuttil, synonymous to MIC, Frontex, Burden Sharing. All thundering successes in truth deviation!!! What more can be said?

All the other PN candidates, EU LACKEYS AND YES PEOPLE. We want fighters and hagglers in the EU parliament, or our rights will be trampled. Look at what Italy is doing to us now! Isn't Italy our friend in the EU?

It looks like when the national interest comes first, bye bye friends in the EU. But here in Malta, no. We just continue as if nothing happened. L-AQWA LI QEGHDIN FL-EWROPA!

Mike Micallef

Apr 18th 2009, 18:44

@ all of us. MEP elections are NOT NOT NOT about local politics. It is very important that whoever gets elected for whichever party goes to Strasbourg and Brussels and maintains a chorus of Maltese voices in unison. It is just as important that all those elected are well versed and knowledgable in EU affairs and law. Maybe all candidates could publicly declare their qualifications in European affairs?? So maybe we can vote on some objective criteria for once, or are we as a people going to export our village festa politics to Europe. I for one intend to vote cross party, and to vote for young people who know their stuff. PN has two lawyers with such mastery of the EU - Simon and Roberta. i'll wait to see what PL has in that department then share it out accordingly. It s not necessarily who shouts loudest who we should have there. Leave the theatricals to here. Lets send a good solid team of five or hopefully six clever young people who can deliver TOGETHER for all of us. This is the European Parliament not the Hal-Muxi local council!

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Apr 18th 2009, 18:39

K.Vassallo---The times when the PN brought a much calmer political situation in Malta are the long gone golden years of the PN with a leader who though many disagreed with ( and still do) gave the PN one victory after another and had aims and goals for this country!! The PN of today a.k.a GonziPN is just a sad joke which won power after we gave it our first and surely our last vote last March. So dont keep flogging a dead horse please!!

m.farrugia

Apr 18th 2009, 18:39

Mr Schembri the point is does the MLP merit to represent Malta in Brussels, when the party and its leader did everything possible to keep Malta out of the EU.

In the past election AD got a good part of traditionally PN votes since electorate saw the AD as a credible alternative to the PN on EU matters (AD was also in favour of Malta joining the EU in referendum), and the PL won the election at the expense of the PN, with a waste of all AD votes. For the next election, AD does not seem to be impressing much.

So the result is quite open.

My point is that in my opinion the choice for EU elections should be very clear in the eyes of the electorate. Should the vote go for a party who resented the EU and is still not quite credible on the EU issue. Only recently Joe Muscat raised doubts relating to funds received from the EU and at least 2 PL MEP candidates were all out against the EU.

A. Mizzi

Apr 18th 2009, 18:32

Finally and hopefully the full and complete list of candidates under the P.N. ticket, quite late in the day with the list of LP candidates presented in January 2009.

Is that the best that PN secretary Dr. Paul Borg Olivier can do?

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Apr 18th 2009, 18:29

Who's incompetent??? Edward Scicluna's profile----


Edward graduated from the University of Oxford with a Diploma with distinction in politics and economics; from the University of Malta with a First Class Honours BA degree in Economics, and the University of Toronto with a Masters and Doctorate in Economics.

He was appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Malta; Chairman of the Malta Council of Economic and Social Development (MCESD), Chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), Electoral Commissioner, Central Bank Director, MIB Ltd director, Chairman of Political Discussion Programmes organised by the Malta Broadcasting Authority (MBA), Chairman of the HSBC Malta Bond Fund, Chairman of CWG plc, and board member of the National Euro Change-over Committee (NECC).

Internationally he carried out consultancy work for the EU Commission, UNESCO, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and for the governments of Albania, Croatia, Libya and Turkey; served on the Council of Europe Development Bank Auditing Committee. He acts as economic advisor to the IMF delegation and the following Rating Agencies - FitchIbca, Standard&Poor’s, and Moody’s. Two years ago he was appointed as a Euro expert by the EU Commission.

Incompetent?? You'd wish!!!!!!

Julian B. Camenzuli

Apr 18th 2009, 18:21

My first reaction on seeing the list is "what a poor line-up". Surely we expect Simon to score the consolation goal and another one (probably Portelli) missing the post by a whisker but otherwise everything points to a 4 - 1 defeat. The fact that they have been consistently in favour of the EU (well, most of them) will be of little help as most people will only look at the government's recent performance and this has been lacking and disappointing in most respects.

laurence schembri

Apr 18th 2009, 18:06

M. Farrugia, if my memory is not playing tricks, the last EU elections were 3 -2, this is not an overwhelming victory to your party. MY prediction on the coming elections 4 -1.

m.farrugia

Apr 18th 2009, 17:44

In my opinion if the PN candidates unite and market themselves as I'l PN - il partit li dejjem emmen u hadem ghall Ewropa', they have a good chance of doing well.

The PL know that they cannot deny this fact.

It is a shame that we are sending people to represent us in Brussels from a party who not so long ago carried out a crusade against Malta joining the EU. Remember 'it talibani ta lewropa', 'l-isqallin jehdulna xogholna' 'lil verheugen nigdimlu lsienu' andJoe Muscat's disgusting programmes on MLP media all advocating against the EU, and then he was the first to run up to Brussels.

There's no doubt that if Malta had not joined the EU we would have lost golden opporunities in education, environment,tourism, infastructure and employment.

So come on, all those who voted yes, just take this election into perspective, that is an election on who deserves most to represent the country in the EU and just give the PL another lesson since it does not seem to have learnt a lot from past lessons.

laurence schembri

Apr 18th 2009, 17:40

Credibility? Vanessa, it all depends how one define credibility. Do you mean Vince Farrugia or Frank Portelli? If this is your conviction towards a strong European team, you might as well stay home on voting day, for you won`t be doing little Malta any favours.
IN haste and without thinking, Vanessa paid the best possible compliment to Sharon. If Sharon is to drown the credibility of such a distinguished LP team, she must be good.
Yes people should never be elected to represent us in any form of Parliament, never mind Europe. Chew on it Vanessa.

E. Vassallo

Apr 18th 2009, 17:33

What is so European being viciously anti EU in the first place!!!!!!

D Ellul

Apr 18th 2009, 17:24

Who was the Maltese MEP who raised the issue in the European Parliament to reduce mobile roaming tariffs that today all citizens across Europe enjoy? Answer: Dr Joseph Muscat. Lately, who was the Maltese MEP who raised the issue of illegal VAT on car registration tax with the European Commission? Answer: Louis Grech. More achievements of Labour MEP's: waivering of satellite dish licenses, pressure for free-to-air sports, and I can go on. It's simple: Labour MEP's deliver. It's your choice now.

Albert Spiteri

Apr 18th 2009, 17:23

GonziPN candidates, like most nationalists, suffer from a severe case of inferiority complex towards EU and EU politicians. The LP candidates are only burdened with what's best for our national interest. I believe all Maltese would rather have their EU parliamentarians pulling and pushing towards Malta's interests. GonziPN is simply not capable of thinking Malta first when dealing with EU. So the best choice would be to ignore all GonziPN candidates. They want to go there for the glory they perceive in being an MEP.

jesmond zammit

Apr 18th 2009, 17:21

it s a pitty that only two of them will be elected

J.Tonna

Apr 18th 2009, 17:18

...... In a few words - Do we want the ambassadors (MEPs) we send to the EU to help us or to make us feel ashamed with their attitudes?

Those who are intelligent enough will understand what I am writing about.

A Grech

Apr 18th 2009, 17:04

Dr. Deidun and Dr. Simon are the only two worthy candidates. I hope they, together with Dr. Micallef Stafrace and Dr. Scicluna get elected

roderick chetcuti

Apr 18th 2009, 17:00

Mind you ... for those who might have forgetten Mr Vince Farrugia is an EX MLP (1996)

Roderick Chetcuti

Apr 18th 2009, 16:49

Dear Mr Cutajar,
You couldn't have mentioned a better person than Mr Joseph Muscat ...... the same person that was against Malta joining the EU. His face is 'refreshing ' only as a leader of the Malta Labour party and that's it. We all remember his TV programmes against EU.
With all respect to the persons you mentioned, I have my doubts what they can get for Malta(the whole nation), if they were against that our country joined the EU in the first place. BTW you forgot to mention Dr J Attard Montaldo in your text. Simon Busutil and David Casa did a good job these last 5 yrs as MEPs.

Mr Ellul ..... wanna hear another Joke!!!??????
Sharon Ellul Bonici's excellent choice to represent us as an MEP ; EX CNI member and not having been allowed to contest last election.
The difference between the two parties is that in the nationalist party everybody has freedom of speech and everybody is allowed to say and express his visions while in the MLP (LP) they get a fine .... lol BIG JOKE

Vanessa Zerafa

Apr 18th 2009, 16:35

Without doubt - Pn has a more credible team. On PL's side the name of Ms. Ellul Bonici alone is enough to drown the credibility of the rest.

However this doesn't mean that PN will win. Actually, to be honest, I feel that the party in itslef is disorganised as never before. Also..why should we keep on listingg to Dr Borg Olivier ALL THE TIME!! He's not an MP, we never voted for him...so why all this attention ?

Vanessa.

charles vella

Apr 18th 2009, 16:35

Why should l vote for P> N> m e p s ( biex tidku bina ) hunting ,illegal immigrants ,were ever you look, roads disaster, car registration tax, electricity and water bills,when ever you open the letter box . Iddahaqx Gozi, onces bitten twice shy.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.

peter paul portelli

Apr 18th 2009, 16:12

what guarantee do i(we) have that these are not the same people who promised me (us) something and could not keep their promise?!??!?!? .... I agree perfectly .....once bitten twice shy. so no thank you.

Tony Abela

Apr 18th 2009, 16:10

@ Jeff Inguanez

You are nor correct in at least one fact. Sharon was not stopped to contest five years ago. She was the Campaign Manager of Dr John Attard Montalto. Please get your facts right!

K.Vassallo

Apr 18th 2009, 16:02

@Albert Gauci Cunningham
You have a right to vote as you said. It is the PN which gave you that right without being harassed or anything. I am sure the two candidates you mentioned are good. However keep in mind that they form part of a party which restricts them so much. The choices they make are without doubt, handicapped, not because they have to toe the party line, even the PN candidates will have to do that, but because the directions taken by the MLP have sometimes been, let's just say strange instead of other adjectives.

Take for example the Guantanmo terrorists. They could easily have voted in favor of closing it but against the part where it says that the terrorist could be brought to your door step as the PN Meps did. They did not - why ?
Then there is the other time where there was a vote condeming Malta as regards hunting. I am against hunting, but rather than abstaining as they did, why did they not vote against condeming their own country ?
Those are just two examples in as much the 200 words allow me. Vote as you feel the best for Malta.

Schembri Ray

Apr 18th 2009, 16:00

This team is very hard to be callenged by LP. At least these candidates don't say something and later change their mind from what they have said. We can trust such persons. They deserve to have the majority of votes. Good luck to all of them especially Dr. Marthese Portelli.

Jo Cassar

Apr 18th 2009, 15:11

A simple direct question to Mr Vince Farrugia, hoping for a direct and simple answer:

If he is elected, who will he represent, the Maltese people or the members of the GRTU?

O. Grech

Apr 18th 2009, 15:04

I would like to ask those who are saying that labour team is better, can you please go into more detail and explain why they are better. Is Sharon Ellul Bonnici better because she opposed the EU that now PL is admitting is good? Is Edward Scicluna better because of the wrong advice he was giving for not introducing the Euro? Is Claudette Baldacchino better because she was part of One TV during the election campaign which the Rapport tat telfa said used wrong tactics? Not to mention Montaldo.
The track record is clear. Simon and David worked hard to get the best possible for the country, for the maltese (irrespective of the political colour). With these other valid candidates from different aspects of life, from different age brackets, different genders witha a common believe...they always believed in the EU and always worked for the good of Malta in the EU. My vot on 6th June will be for continuity of a successful story that PN MEPs worked and will work for.

R Agius

Apr 18th 2009, 14:59

Reading through the comments in here you get the feeling that the MEP election will (unfortunately) be based on local issues, which are irrelevant in this context. Our vote on the 6th of June should be to elect the people who can best represent our national interest at EU level.

There can be no question about the ability of Dr Simon Busuttil - who is passionate about bringing out the best from EU membership - for Malta and not for the PN or Nationalists! Simon can boast of a track record and results. There are also several other names on the PN ticket that we can see will get the best for Malta if elected to the EU Parliament.

Sadly, on the PL front, we have had three MEPs who's contribution to Malta has been negligible. The choice is like chalk and cheese. I would like to know the contribution of Glenn, John and Louis. What logic is there to 'punishing the PN' by electing incompetent (or uninterested) representatives? It will be like cutting your nose to spite your face and we can all see it coming!

M Buttigieg

Apr 18th 2009, 14:50

Labour's team is much better.!!! Joseph Cuschieri, Glenn Bedingfiled, Sharon Ellul Bonici, Prof. Scicluna (Mr Doom). Shall I continue....

Would prefer to vote for candidates who were convinced of the EU even before joining five years ago. All the PN candidates are EU knowlegable and professionals in different subjects and will definitely bring the best for us.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Apr 18th 2009, 14:34

contd/..........

10)---what is so european in leaving out tourist zones like Bugibba drowning in dirt, apathy and lack of enthusiam to the detriment of all the businesses there?
11)----how European is a government that dreams pathetic projects up, keeps them under wraps for months and then presto, presto declares a discussion about them when no studies would have been done?? And to complicate matters when things go against its will the government or better still its acolytes unleash hell and fury in a disgusting and anti-democratic attack on Astrid vella!!

...........my point is clearly this; The fact that the PN worked for malta to join the EU does not give it the right or the automatic "brand' of being pro-European it just makes it a very good victor in 2003!! What makes a party "European" is its that it handles the country in a way that reflects a European image, where full democracy, accountability and togetherness reign!! While we still kind of have the former the latter 2 are spectacularly lacking!!!!!!!!!

Paul Ellul

Apr 18th 2009, 14:27

Dear Mr Roderick Chetcuti, what is the basis of your candidate evaluation? Such a narrow-minded approach reminds me of civil servants (apologies if you are one of them) who everyday still walk into 20th century government departments with the 'In-Taghna' or 'It-Torca' underneath their arm.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Apr 18th 2009, 14:24

1)----What is so European about the pitiful state of our roads and our disgusting bus service??
2)----What is so European about the government ignoring Civil society and "influencing" the regulator to take a stand that goes diametrically against the ones he should protect???
3)----What is so European in a government which works hard to reach the Maastricht criteria and then squanders everything in order to retain power????
4)----What is so european about the fact that this government persists in prolonging social injustices like Divorce and certain basic gay rights because it is petrified of the Curia????
5)----What is so european about stopping a project after signing contracts with businesses?
6)----What is so European in doing exactly the opposite of what other EU countries are doing i.e. reducing the burden from families??
7)---- What is so European in having "civil servants" working for their party at their working time??
8)----What is so european about having to endure farcical and never-ending projects like the St.Paul's by pass hugely exceeding the cost to the taxpayers detriment??
9)---What is so european in paying a ridiculously hefty car tax that goes against EU principles for 4 whole years after membership???


contd/.....

Brandon Camilleri

Apr 18th 2009, 14:22

I cannot understand what type of democracy the GonziPN supporters profess. They say they are in favour of people airing their voices...and then becuase Sharon Ellul Bonici of PL is a euro sceptic it is like she is the devil in persona.

Do these people know that the EU is made up of those in favour and those that are sceptic of the EU. And don't they realise that with a mix of both the EU has a better stand to succeed. It does not make sense to have only YES people in the EU parliament, but also those that say NO constuctively...as it is not a NO to everything.

In my opinion, the best people of all are Edward Scicluna and Simon Busuttil. I do not think that people such as Glenn Bedignfeld, Sharon Ellul Bonici, Joseph Cuschieri, Maria Camilleri should be given a chance. As regards to the PN members after Simon Busuttil I think that the other candidate that can make it is Tedesco Triccas.

C.Cutajar

Apr 18th 2009, 14:10

Dear Mr. Roderick Chetcuti,

You argued that LP is the same party with same faces. Let me remind you that Muscat's face is much more refreshing than Sant's was.

I think that Prof. Scicluna, Marlene Mizzi, Steve Borg, Dr. Micallef Stafrace, Christian Zammit are first time faces to our national political sphere. Of course, the LP wouldn't be wise to get rid of people like Louis Grech.

PN is also presenting same faces. Dr. Portelli used to be President of the PN's executive a long time ago. I remember Vince Farrugia's face on tele since I was born. Simon Busuttil is also the same face of the ex-director of MIC who used to convince himself that he is impartial. Honestly speaking, the PN would have committed suicide not to maintain this same face in its list. He seems to be the only stalwart in the PN voters' eyes. The contribution of David Casa in politics isn't a new one, he used to serve as the Manwel Cuschieri of the PN..

So try to be a little bit more mature in your arguments Mr. Chetcuti.

Regards,
Christopher

Emmanuel Mangion

Apr 18th 2009, 14:07

My vote will go for candidates with social conscience. My first preference will be Claudette Baldacchino, than all the other on labour list.

M. Catania

Apr 18th 2009, 14:04

The matter of voting one party or another is based on principles and consistency. Something which the MLP has been changing constantly over these past years.

David Zarb

Apr 18th 2009, 13:58

Nooo way, once bitten, twice shy. I'm sorry GonziPN and his ametuer team, I've got no trust anymore in any of your belongings or derivatives. The candidates of Partit Laburista are by far more superior and hence, YES, I proudly say that my EU-MEP vote would go for PL. Goodluck Partit Laburista.

D Ellul

Apr 18th 2009, 13:56

@Roderick Chetcuti
Try this for a good joke: you have a candidate on the PN list that was with Alfred Sant in 1996 opposing the introduction of VAT, which eventually led the Labour Party to victory and the freezing of our EU accession application. EVERYONE in the Labour Party is pro-Europe now. Nationalists find this hard to take in as they think they can keep on using the same old strategy over and over again. You have another 1 month where you can use this tactic, after the June 6 landslide Labour victory, you will have to admit: 'Labour is the natural choice of the Maltese in Europe'.

Peter Grima

Apr 18th 2009, 13:46

Very interesting list !! Practically half of the candidates on the list have either just recently criticise the governments` decisions or else they have an electoral manifesto which speaks about issues that are non-existent according to Gonzi himself !!

Frank Portelli - a 4 year crusade again Mater Dei`s contracts throwing serious accusations about the way money was spent, then a three week break for the election and here we go again - the one to have practically brought to an end the capping to the heavy electricity users, then is accused of not paying the bills for his hospital (oh .. that is why the mater dei mud-slinging then!) and now a manifesto where he speaks of how to stop illegal immigrants, how to break Enemalta`s monopoly and how to make sure we get all the money from the EU.
Alan Deidun: against Mepa, against speculators and asks for parties to publish the list of money donors
Vince Farrugia: crusade against the tariffs, crusade against Ecotax, crusade against VAT
RTT: against the government`s stand on the car registration VAT.

Will a vote for these be counted as if in favour of the PN`s performance in Government?

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Apr 18th 2009, 13:46

As long as my vote will be interpreted as a vote of confidence in 'post-March GonziPN' (which is as sure as eggs are eggs) I will not vote to any of these candidates!! Some of them are very worthy no doubt and had this government not made such a mess of "governing" throughout this year I'd go for Simon Busuttil!! So this time I'm going for Edward Scicluna and Marlene Mizzi who are undoubtedly 2 very good, seasoned and fresh candidates on the PL side!! Sorry Pieta guys but my vote is nobody's property!!!

Stephen Farrugia

Apr 18th 2009, 13:34

This election has no legitimacy because its a unfair contest, not to allow a candidate, based on discrimination.

R Borg

Apr 18th 2009, 13:29

Sorry could not do any better. There is a crisis in the PN. Lost!
Lost of ideas and lost for human recourses.

Anna Maria Gatt

Apr 18th 2009, 13:17

A good team from a wide spectrum. At least these candidates are people who have ALWAYS supported EU membership!

Martin Spiteri

Apr 18th 2009, 13:16

@ c Calleja

Are you serious? could it be that you believe that the labour team is more serious with sharon ellul bonici? I think you should rephrase your comment. I can never vote to a party who is still under shock from 2003.

mario gellel

Apr 18th 2009, 13:13

a mirror with a double image---- gonzipn

Andrew vella

Apr 18th 2009, 13:09

C Calleja expressed an opinion though he tried making it sound like a fact. I would suggest next time he expresses an opinion, he rewords it this way:

Personally I feel the PN team is superior to the PL's.

mario zammit

Apr 18th 2009, 13:08

Good luck Marthese Portelli

Roderick Chetcuti

Apr 18th 2009, 12:57

Dear Mr Calleja can i ask you who is superior!!!!!!???? Sharon Ellu Bonici ? Joseph Cuschieri?Glenn Beddingfield? Actually can i ask you another question. Please tell me who is pro Europe in the Malta Labour Party ( or LP whats in a name) it is still teh same party with same faces...... what a joke!!!!!

damian galea

Apr 18th 2009, 12:53

With the likes of simon busuttil, as compared to sharon ellul bonici or glenn beddingfield the choice is relly between professionals and amateurs.

I suppose if you add the experience on EU matters and related qualifications and compare them with the PL candidates you would get a ratio of something like 4:1.

So what, you might say.... We are not after qualifications and experience... oh yes i do agree, but when it comes to pushing something in the European Parliament this experience and professionalism is what will make the difference .... not party allegiance... or nice homely faces.

We would be better off by voting persons and not parties for the MEP elections!!!

Jeff Inguanez

Apr 18th 2009, 12:43

Labour team's inferiority is in its deep scepiticism of Europe
most notably in Sharon Ellul Bonici's brilliant choice
(not having been allowed to contest last time).

Also in economist Edward Scicluna's obviously mistaken opposition to the euro.
If it were not for the introduction of the euro in January 2008,
you can only look at Iceland and Hungary to see in what state we would have been.

D Ellul

Apr 18th 2009, 12:35

Expected better from the PN. Labour's team is much better.

G. Camilleri

Apr 18th 2009, 12:33

Does GONZI/PN expect a better result than the 38% five yearsago? I forecast a worse result following Gonzi's arrogant attitute towards the 11 Unions icw the Water and Electricity tariffs. Let us not forget that a good number of these Unions supported the PN in its campaign to join the EU. And what about the serious situation at Mater Dei. Today's PR by the Ghaqda tat-tobba ghall-Emergenza is indeed worrying and serious.

C Cilia

Apr 18th 2009, 12:29

PL team much much better.

C Calleja

Apr 18th 2009, 12:14

Labour team is superior.

Jeff Inguanez

Apr 18th 2009, 12:02

An excellent team by the PN showing e
nthusiasm and experience,
breadth of civil society representation and
depth in European conviction.