Thursday, 23rd April 2009 - 15:04CET
Updated: Voting rights for migrants 'a red line issue'
Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil said today that the issue of voting rights for migrants was crucial for Malta because the country could not afford to give such rights to the 5,200 immigrants currently living here.
“This is one of the red lines that we cannot cross," Dr Busuttil said at a press conference, pointing out that the last general election was decided by a mere 1,500 votes.
A right-to-vote clause for migrants was included yesterday in a European Parliament report on a common EU policy on immigration. The report was penned by Dr Busuttil, who, however, unsuccessfully resisted the inclusion of the clause by the socialist, liberal and Green groups of the European Parliament.
The Maltese Labour MEPs voted against the granting of voting rights, but Dr Busuttil said they had not put enough pressure and they had not managed to convince their fellow socialists to vote in Malta’s favour. This was in contrast to how the European Popular Party had voted.
He argued that granted voting rights to migrants who arrived illegally would send the wrong message, that this was a free-for-all. It could also constitute a pull-factor and in Malta's case, it could give the migrants the power to elect a government.
He said this report provided a common policy towards immigration which the European Parliament could now push forward to the EU as a whole. He said the recent stand-off between Malta and Italy was proof of the need for such a common policy, but the human tragedy was reason enough for such a policy to be implemented.
The report, among other proposals, calls for a revision of the Dublin regulations so as to enable immigrants to move freely around Europe without being sent back to the country of first arrival
LABOUR REACTION
The PL in a reaction said Dr Busuttil was trying to be deceptive. The PL MPs, it said, had voted exactly as Dr Busuttil did. Therefore, if he was trying to criticise their voting pattern, he was criticising his own.
Furthermore, despite the influence which Dr Busuttil claimed to have in the European Peoples Party, he had not managed to include, in his report, a clear reference to compulsory burden sharing. Indeed, the report welcomed the Immigration Pact, which only spoke on voluntary burden sharing.
And when Labour MEP Louis Grech had proposed the setting up of an Immigration agency, Dr Busuttil had not even turned up for the vote and the PPE voted against.
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Comments
Does anyone believe that illegal immigrants including asylum seekers, no matter how long they have been here, would cast their vote with this in mind?
PL never voted in favor of migrants eligibility to vote in elections. I think Mr. Busuttil is just trying to trick a deceive voters.
Ideas please....
How childish of you!
It is you , the nationalist apologists, who think you can influence the whole of the European Union by just opening your mouth. Go on, tell your beloved Gonzi to phone Berlusconi. Perhaps he can convince him to issue an apology on behalf of his Minister Maroni.
When you voted for membership of the European Union you did not realize how Malta will be used as border of the Union! Now you want to blame it on us. Stop talking and solve this mess you ushered us in.
Dear Mr Callus, do you really believe that there is a homogeneous opinion on everything in the People's Party grouping? God forbid. Likewise do not try to play the hypocrite by feeling scandalised by the Socialist group having different opinions on different subjects. What is good for the German Socialists is not necessarily good for Malta and vice versa. This is what democracy is all about; having the freedom to differ!
As for the unsustainable increase in illegal immigrants to Malta, law or no law, PL said we are full up and the PL still holds at heart the philosophy of "Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox"! On the other hand PN is afraid of rocking the boat by using the VETO to defend Malta's vulnerable interests.
“Decades ago giving women the right to vote was also 'a red line issue'. Today, it seems that we have learnt nothing. What a shame.”
Sir if you are comparing women to illegal immigrants they you disgust me even more than people who practice gender discrimination and it is you who has definitely learnt nothing.
After years of silence and wasting voters time barking in vain for Frontex pressure, while Malta was being invaded, he finally realized that unless he makes some noise now, he risks being swept away. The PN are confronting this election with people like Mr. Vince Farrugia who let down his GRTU members by riding a political carriage while he was meant to be defending his Union members from the claws of Government.
Labour politicians are relativley ineffective as well so the best thing our electorate should do is abstain from voting showing the political parties that this nation is fed up of soft politicians who are powerless on EU level and whose only motive is financial gain instead of a better life for their voters.
And how about some pressure from your friends in Brussels.....Wasn`t it FLIMKIEN KOLLOX POSSIBLI???
How did Joe Muscat's mentor Martin Schulz (head of the European Socialists) direct the Socialist group to vote? Muscat should have phoned him up to give us a hand since he was happy enough to parade him for the leadership contest raising the ire of fellow contestants. Come on labour apologists go and tell your leader to make some pressure on his friends!!! Remember that song by Dionne and friends "That's What Friends Are For"
(Dionne & Friends: Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder)..
Or are you still stuck with the only way is up??!?!?!?!
Quote
Any first year law student knows that a criminal act is made up of the intent and the act itself. If these immigrants had no intent to come to Malta, one cannot talk of an illegal offence and of them being illegal migrants. Irregular indeed, but not illegal.
Unquote.
Dear Mr, Ellis,
The intention of these immigrants was to come to Europe and where is Malta right now ? In Europe. So with your own reasoning this makes them illegal. I never studied law by the way but I know my English.
Malta has shown solidariety in the past by housing and accepting refugess from many countries who had civil wars which we heard daily on CNN. Numbers were in the past, in my opinion, acceptable to hold the identity and character of the maltese people. Now this mix of cultures and level of imposition on the Maltese is not giving us time to absorb the impact and is being an over saturated situation.
This has to stop before things run out of control in one way or another.
How can we even think of giving migrants voting rights? These people do not contribute anything towards our economy. Instead they are a burden on our economy for having to maintain their well being while in detention over here. And what would these people do with their vote? These people couldn't care less about Malta's economic situation until we keep maintaining them.
Now we are expected to give them voting rights too. Might I ask, what have these people done to deserve such a right... to influence a country's vote which is based on its history and it's political performance. How can someone who has nothing to do with a particular country except to take advantage of it, ever be given the right to decide its future?
The people who would truly gain from such a move would be illegal immigrants themselves as they would vote for the party that would stoop to its lowest and support such a move to garner votes to win an election. True political greatness is not achieved in this way, on an opportunistic platform, but on the party's delivery and its character.
Scoring an election victory based on an opportunistic agenda, simply shows that party's approach to doing politics. Shame indeed !!!
In a few years time we'll be out numbered and much more problems will arise! then what?
If you think that multiculturalisim is so great and beneficial, why don't you go and indulge in it yourself, in another country? to get the taste of the culture you are after? Why do you have to impose on us the idea that we should bring mulitculturalism here? Your own words are contradictory, when you say "We have to brace ourselves for a multi-cultural society". You don't have to brace yourself for something which is welcomed and desired do you? You only brace yourself for the unwanted and unwelcomed. Why should we brace ourselves? We are not a nation who brace ourselves to whatever is thrown upon us, but we are a nation of choosers and determinators of our own fate and destiny. That's what's kept this nation's name on the maps over the years. And so we will again choose our destiny...
I do not agree that they come here and start voting for my government. I have been here for years paying the taxes, n.i. surcharges etc, as have been my ancestors. And they come here and we give them the vote. Mhux Hekk!
We fought the war not to be overtaken (the great siege), we chucked out the British, so we come independent.
AND NOW WE ARE LETTING OUR COUNTRY BE TAKEN OVER BY THESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. Please do not mention colour. If a blond race had to come here and live off my the tax money, i would feel the same.
Agree that voting rights are a major issue for Malta, but as what happened in other countries, there will be a future when in Malta there will be sons/daughters of immigrants that will be members of parliament and who knows, prime ministers as well. It happened in the US, so who knows what will happen in Malta in the next 100 years. Better start packing, IGalea.
Shame on the PL for making such a suggestion some months ago.
I can't help feeling that this hullabaloo is solely due to the colour of these migrants. We have to brace ourselves for a multi-cultural society and overcome racist prejudices. As a French philospher quoted by Massimo D'Alema recently stated, the mixing of bloods makes a great civilization. It's nothing new and has been happening for millenia.
Also, I would like to point out to the british gentleman, Brian Maloret, I would like to point out one thing, don't over try your luck because here you feel yourself a Maltese citizen. Just remember that here you are a citizen while back at home you are a 'subject' = and aw i believe you know between being a citizen of a sovereign state and being a subject there's quite a difference. While i appreciate the fact that you are here legally, paying taxes etc, please do not try to impose your colonial traits in Malta. We're way past that.
This topic is of NATIONAL Concern.
Why on earth is the EU Doing this ??
Why on earth shoud a politician elected by the EU Nationals even think of this ?
Why on earth should we feel threatened of loosing what our forefathers built for us ?
I know that many will stay bringing up arguments of racism, humanitarian aiid, good old religion and sharing with others but it all boils down to this simple question.
IS THIS EU REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT US the EUROPEAN BORN NATIONALS or NOT ?
I hope that this idea never goes through as if it does it would really mean that Europe might be engulfed by immigarnts and Malta being the smallest/weakest and southernmost nation will be the first to got. And as a common myth of today says, WE WILL NEED THE SAME BOATS TO MAKE OUR EXODUS. EU Please help or else we might as well bid farewell.
To Brian Maloret:
With all due respect to you Brian and all British nationals, It is precisely the situation in the UK which is why we CAN NOT allow non-Maltese the vote in OUR country. We surely don’t want to follow in your footsteps. Ask yourself one question: Was Enoch right after all or was he not?
OK, I accept the empirical evidence that you give about National Elections in Malta although it seems strange that what is permissible in one EU state is not in another. I thought that the purpose of the EU Parliament was to create uniformity as to what and what not EU citizens can do in another EU state in which they are resident.. This smacks of discrimination and I will do some research into this to see what the voting situation is in other EU states such as France, Spain and Germany.
Sorry Brian but you are wrong. You may vote and stand as a candidate in local councils elections, you may vote and stand as a candidate for the EP elections, but you may not stand as a candidate and vote for the National Elections.
Is-Socjalisti Maltin ma qalulhom xejn? Jew gew injorati minn shabhom stess ?
1. The Parliament voted on a resolution to give **LEGAL** immagrants the right to vote in **LOCAL** elections. Let's stop distorting this.
2. The resolution has no binding force. The European Parliament can only make laws in certain defined areas of responsibility, and with joint approval of the Member States ( the Council). In other areas, such as this, it can still express its opinon by means of resolutions.
3. @Brian Maloret "as a British national resident in Malta am entitled to a vote in all elections in Malta." Wrong. You , as an EU citizen resident in Malta, can only vote in MEP and local council elections. Non-nationals cannot vote in national elections, and the EU has no power to change this. (Mind you, I personally wish EU citizens resident in Malta could vote in national elections...).
I came to live in Malta in January 2004.After 3 months I had to apply for 'Freedom of Movement' and prove that I had enough money to support myself and my then fiancee had to sign that if I had not, she would support me( we are both pensioners). Two months later this was granted and only then could apply for an I.D.card.With this I can vote in local council and European elections.We were married in May 2004. My wife is Maltese and as Maltese law stands I can apply for citizenship when we have been married for five years. I have to prove that we are still married and have lived together for all of the five years.If this is granted only then can I vote in a General Election.
This is not the Europe I voted for. First they want to mess the workers right to do overtime, then let the Turks join now this. I will vote to any party who promises to get us out again. NO 2 EU.
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I have no doubt that there are many many more who are of the same opinion now...... EU: more thorns than roses! Throughout history Malta has shed blood and tears to gain independence, being neutral, and self-governing: but it seems like it has been all for nothing. We're back at square one.
Simon Busuttil has been working tirelessly within the EU parliament to help us overcome our problems with illegal immigration. He has stuck out his neck over and over again ... while the other MEPs (three of whom are PL MEPs) have done close to nothing during their term of office. The very least they could have done is to throw up a fuss about the whole matter and tried their utmost to influence the Socialists Group.
Yet notwithstanding all this some commentators here are calling him a liar and trying to portray him as the bad guy. Wouldn't it be more credible if at least these same commentators pointed out the complete invisibility of the other MEPs?
Having the right to vote in Local Council elections and National Elections are not the same. The issues and scopes in these elections are totally different. Brian Maloret, if not mistaken you already enjoy the right to vote to elect Local Councils.
My question to you, if you were given the rights to vote in National Elections and there is an issue that have some consequence on your country of citizenship and the political parties had opposite views, which party you would vote for?
Elections that have and effect on how Malta should act on the International scene should only be for Maltese Citizens to decide.
Mr. Maloret, I am sure when the times comes for the Brits to decide on whether to keep the sterling or adopt the Euro you do not want immigrants to decide the issue.
www.europarl.europa.eu%2Ffactsheets%2Fdefault_en.htm " target="_blank">http://www.ask.com/bar?q=European+Parliament&page=1&qsrc=121&ab=3&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.europarl.europa.eu%2Ffactsheets%2Fdefault_en.htm
It would seem that as an EU national resident in Malta not only have I got a right to vote but I am legally (under EU law) entitled to stand as a candidate for election to the European Parliament as a MEP for Malta.
We had it coming when we joined the EU. Self governance and the Independence are things of the past for us. We are being ruled by the traditional colonists. The sooner we get out of the EU the better for all Maltese.
Edric Micallef Figallo
No,no, it is not British legislation but the legislation of the European Parliament. Malta, like the UK, is a European Union state and so like the UK Malta is also subject to applicable EU legislation. So I will state yet once more, under EU legislation if you, as a Maltese national were resident in the UK you would be entitled to a vote in all elections in that country. By the same token, I as a British national resident in Malta am entitled to a vote in all elections in Malta. It is not British or Maltese legislation but European Parliament legislation which, I should imagine, is legally binding on all EU states including Malta. Perhaps this is something that the Maltese electorate overlooked when they voted in favour of Malta joining the EU.
You are legally incorrect, from what you've shown and from the little I know. Without a link to the page you are consulting I cannot be totally certain but I'm already nearly so.
The legislation you quote seems to be UK legislation, provided by the will of the UK legislator of his own accord. It is not in any manner EU legislation applicable to Malta but merely the UK's domestic law applicable in the UK, exclusively. There is no parallel Maltese legislation which confers similar rights and neither is there EU legislation in that regard.
Technically speaking, you seem incorrect. Given what I've stated and what you've come up with, there is nothing else to add on the question. Good evening.
P.S. You should rather check the Maltese office of the European Parliament, rather than the UK one - http://www.europarlmt.eu/view/en/rights_eu.html?search-element=voting%20rights
Perhaps we should up and leave Malta and move to another EU state such as Spain, France, etc. where our human rights will be respected.
This is a paragraph taken from the web site of the UK office of the European Parliament:-
"If you are a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, the Commonwealth (including Malta and Cyprus, which are both Commonwealth countries and EU Member States) you can vote in all elections in the UK, provided of course you are resident in the UK"
It is clear that if you being a citizen of a EU state (Malta) were resident in another EU state (in this case the UK) then you could vote in.all elections then surely I being a citizen of a EU state resident in another EU state (Malta) then I'm legally entitled under EU law to have a vote here.
The report was apparently amended in relation to voting rights due to SOCIALIST pressure on a European level, and this is European politics. Does PL deny that it is part of the European Socialists, which have exerted such a pressure? Does PL deny that their elected MEPs might have a logical problem in pushing forward whatever they propose in Malta to their European Socialist counterparts since what they are now proposing in Malta runs contrary to the standpoints of the bulk of the European Socialists they are allied with on a European level? Joseph Muscat has an answer through fact not words, he voted like a European Socialist to grant such or similar voting rights. What does his idol Zapatero say?
Is this is a man who is contesting in the name of a party which has failed miserably in tackling the migrant situation in Malta, and, a party which, not more than a month ago, had the minister on a local talk show defending migrants with all his might and even claiming that screening these people for Aids and other infectious diseases was unnecessary!?
So has the PN suddenly found its Rightist roots just before the local election!?
Is this the same party that called PL populist for raising this problem in parliament!?
Incidentally, is Simon Busuttil the same SImon Busuttil who deceived a number of Maltese with false promises when head of the MIC?
I always thought that SImon Busuttil looked the part of a gentleman, but as the saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover.
Giving those illegals the right to vote gives new meaning to the word "INSANE", let alone even hinting at giving them the right to vote! By definition, they are illegals so they should not even be in Malta in the first case. They have absolutely NO RIGHTS at all when it comes to Maltese laws, they are not Maltese citizens, it is the Maltese who have every right to kick them out of the country before this unabated invasion gets even more out of control.
If someone doesn't take some DRACONIAN measures about the whole situation, Malta will fast become the dumping ground of these undesirables, which to an extent it already is.
I apologize for the strong language but there is nothing better than saying it like it is!
Bill Millam
Los Angeles
You speak of inexistent "rights" . As a law student, I can assure you that the British legal order is notoriously different from continental ones. We're not subject to British law and will since 1964. We have distinct rights and obligations, rights which do not include what you state. That's the law. Politically, what you seek shouldn't be approved and is not so by the bulk of the Maltese. Outrageous is what you seek.
Paying taxes is distinct from the right to vote. Determining the future of a nation cannot be bought. Some Maltese do not pay taxes, yet same Maltese have a right to vote. This situation is so in practically all European legal orders.
Someone stated that there are quite a few thousand foreign residents. Their eventual right to vote could affect Malta's future in a potentially drastic manner. We are already experiencing too much foreign pressure at the moment. Don't add insult to injury. This is independent Malta, so get naturalised if you have the right to and then you'll have the right to vote according to Malta's laws and not British ones.
It seems that our politicans want to have the cake and eat it. It obvious there aim is to get the popular vote. Such antics ain't going to get mine.
In support of my previous comment I have just googled this:-
"If you are a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, the Commonwealth (including Malta and Cyprus, which are both Commonwealth countries and EU Member States) you can vote in all elections in the UK, provided of course you are resident in the UK."
So, if you being a Maltese citizen are entitled to vote in UK elections if you live in the UK then I as a British citizen living in Malta am entitled to vote in Maltese elections. Anything else would be disciminatory.
I might be slightly wrong about people living in the UK from other parts of the world than those quoted above who it seems do need to acquire a British or EU passport before they can vote in UK elections.
Very silent, but very real.... imposed infiltration. People wake up, this is just the beginning!
Are you referring to the ones who were sure of a Labour victory on March 9 and were celebrating in the streets? Or perhaps the ones who hailed Mintoff as 'Salvatur' only to then call him 'Gagbin u Traditur'?
Now go on and precisely quote when and where did Simon Busuttil say/write that the Maltese Labour MPs voted in favour of the voting rights to illegal immigrants. Only then will readers here doubt Simon and believe you instead!
In my opinion Simon Busuttil has worked tirelessly for Malta and Europe over the last few years – he’ll get my number 1 vote in June. The PL MEPs failed to convince more members in their Socialist group, but we should forgive them - perhaps they still feel like makku ;)
No one has the right to vote for Parlement, unless they have the nationality of that state. It is like this in all EU countries.
I'm sorry but that is not the case. I am English and my ex-wife was neither a British or a EU citizen. Although on marriage she was entitled to a British passport she refused preferring to retain the passport of her country of birth. Because she worked and paid tax and national insurance she was entitled to vote in British elections. Having worked in government in the UK I know that people from all over the world who are given permission to remain definitely in the UK are entitled to a vote whether or not they are married to a British citizen or hold a British passport. I can't see that it would be any different in any other EU state.
Now he is warning of a red line issue.
I am 100% against Migrants voting rights,But since you are one of the frontman who persuaded Malta to join the EU, are you going to take a stand agianst the same EU,if it goes in favor of the migrants?
I remember somebody said once .If the EU wants us to do that, that is what we must do
only EU citizens, not all foreigners, and in EU as well as council
No one has the right to vote for Parlement, unless they have the nationality of that state. It is like this in all EU countries. So unless immigrants are legally residing in Malta, they will not have any voting rights. That makes sense also, and I doubt that anyone in the EU will want to change it. I'd like to read the whole resolution that was voted upon in EP.
We must never give them a vote, either to the regular or the illegal immigrants. They are not Maltese so they have no right to decide for the Maltese. Hekk baqa jonqas issa.
What an outrageous statement. Any EU citizen living legally in another EU state such as Malta and who is working or paying taxes in support of that country' economy, has as much right as a member of the indigenous population to a vote. If I contribute financially to the Maltese economy I have as much right as you have to vote to determine the political party who I think is best suited to govern the country.
You yourselve is saying that, quote...".. the Labour MEP's Voted AGAINST the granting of voting rights.".. So what;s the point of your blantant political lies Simon..!!
OHHH YESSSS... You PN Politicians are famous for blatant political lies when ANY election is on the horizon, right...!!!
Is it so possible that you PN bloggers don't see this political TRICK...?? Of course you do..!!
I will surely never give my political vote of confidence to ANY such politician..
GROW UP PLEASE... WILL YOU...!! STOP TREATING US LIKE A BUNCH OF DUMMIES...!!
In the meantime well done Simon. I thought only our socialists have internal problems, but it seems the scrouge is common even within the European socialists. EPP voted as one whole body but the euro socialists didn't, judging by how our socialists voted! It seems Simon is even convincing our own socialists now!
Why is it that the Socialists, communists and Greens/Liberals are so determined to destroy Europe? It would be interesting to hear Prof. Cassola's opinion on this.
unless i am mistaken, eu citizens who reside in malta are not eligible to vote in maltese general elections. so my answer is a definite no ! illegal immigrants who end up in malta uninvited and forced on us will not decide the future of my children. that is a red line which shall never change to green !
Moreover, it should be also stated that granting voting rights to any immigrants is out of the question unless the same can be naturalised according to our prevailing naturalisation provisions when it comes to citizenship. This, by a emendment to our laws, should be precluded to all those whose presence in Malta is the result of illegal immigration.
Given the current Maltese reality with issues such as immigration, we should also look at tightening the naturalisation provisions and make such a process is less available.
Even in the case of legal immigrants, such legal immigration does not constitute per se the right to vote in local and national elections as things stand. Immigration does not bestow voting rights and citizenship by the mere legality of it. I am all for citizens of other EU Member States having voting rights in the European Parliament elections if they are resident and tax-paying in Malta, but it should end at that as far as those not having Maltese citizenship are concerned. This should be the norm applicable across the EU, unless extraordinary and improbable scenarios come forth.
What are they doing in Brussels??? Are they on holiday??? Wake up!!!
In this case, I agree with granting such right to refugees, ONLY after they reside in Malta for a minimum of say 5 years. Just like there are limitations for Maltese nationals when it comes to the right to vote, there should be similar limitations to those granted refugee status.
Now, with respect to the claim that this could lead to a government run/decided by such refugees, I have two comments to make:
a) this is highly improbable for a number of reasons, foremost of which is the fact that at most, there would be one elected candidate for such a 'refugee party' or whatever you'd want to call it. And still, if such refugees are granted a vote I don't distinguish between other immigrants voting and such refugees.
b) By all means, such refugees are human beings and have a right to live in a democratic country that acknowledges their input.
PS: I am talking about refugees, not all of the irregular immigrants.
If I recall correctly when I was reading about this, the vote was not in regard to illegal migrants but to those migrants in countries in which they had been living for a number of years and had been given identity cards by the state.
Caw
Is it only illegal immigrants or all immigrants such as myself living here in Malta legally who you object to having a vote so as to determine which political party should govern the Country?