Wednesday, 29th April 2009
Ask your MEP
Voting rights for migrants
Note: On all occasions the Greens voted in favour of granting migrants the right to vote.
The issue of voting rights for migrants resurfaced last week when my report on a Common Immigration Policy for the European Union was adopted by a large majority in the European Parliament.
It all started on March 31 when the Civil Liberties Committee was voting on 234 amendments that were tabled to my report. During this vote, I successfully resisted a number of amendments that I opposed, such as the weakening or the removal of references to repatriation, detention and cooperation with third countries.
On voting rights for migrants I also successfully resisted an amendment tabled by the Socialists, which called for access to social rights (including housing) along with political rights (the right of long-term residents to vote in local elections). This reference was rejected.
Nevertheless, a majority composed of Socialists, Greens, Communists and Liberals prevailed on another amendment, albeit a milder wording, which still called for immigrants to be given "the opportunity to vote in local elections".
Now we all know that this issue is politically very controversial and, for some of us, it crosses the red line. This reference complicated matters unnecessarily and sowed political controversy when unity of cause on a common immigration policy was by far preferable.
It is for this reason that when the entire report came up for adoption in plenary last week, I tabled two reports and not one. The first was an "alternative report", which removed the reference to voting rights, and the second was the report as adopted in the committee, that is, including this reference.
Over the past month, I worked relentlessly to seek a compromise on this issue with the other political groups that everyone could live with. Regrettably, however, the Socialists refused to compromise and voted against the alternative report, which was therefore rejected. On the other hand, the original report was adopted overwhelmingly.
It has to be said that all four Maltese MEPs present for the vote (two PN, two PL) voted together in favour of both reports. Nevertheless, this incident exposes serious contradictions in the track record of Maltese Labour MEPs.
The first is that the Labour delegation proved unable to persuade its own Socialist group to support the alternative report without a reference to voting rights. Had they done so, the alternative report would have been approved. In contrast, I secured the support of my group.
Now let us not forget that MEPs are not simply elected to cast their own single vote one way or another. That would be all too easy. They are also elected to persuade their own political group on crucial issues. Their ability or inability to do so makes the difference between MEPs who are effective and others who are not.
The second is the stark contrast between Labour's macho attitude on immigration in Malta and the pro-immigration agenda of their own Socialist group in Brussels. In Malta, the PL shuns immigration and plays the veto card whereas in Brussels the Socialists play a different tune and go as far as wanting to grant migrants voting rights.
Thirdly, even on the very issue of voting rights for migrants, the track record of the Labour MEPs is anything but consistent. A look at the table clearly shows how, on four different occasions, Labour MEPs voted in four different ways on the same issue. It seems incredible but, unfortunately, it is true. Last week they voted against. But on other occasions they abstained or even voted in favour. And last September they did not cast their vote despite being present in plenary - clearly refusing to stand up to be counted.
Except for last week, all occasions took place when the current Labour leader was still an MEP. This means that the Labour leader's rhetoric on immigration does not match his own voting record. Quite the opposite.
It is important for voters to know about these contradictions when, on June 6, they decide who is best suited to represent their interests in the European Parliament.
To Ask Your MEP go to www.simonbusuttil.eu. Support the Stop The Dust campaign on www.stopthedust.org.
Dr Busuttil is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.
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Comments
we need a breath of fresh air! we need a new political party who does not engage itself in stupid twisted facts. we want a new party that really put our country first
http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/register_to_vote/eu_citizens_form.aspx
I trawled the Maltese Electoral Commission pages and could not find a simple guidance on voting rights for foreigners living in Malta (maybe I have not looked hard enough, if not I suggest setting it up asap). I have no doubt Simon Busuttil is working very hard 6 weeks ahead of the EP elections... but please pull the spin plug. For those under the impression the European Parliament has been turned over its head this past 2 weeks, have a look at this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2009/04/s_22.html
I also lived oversees for 30 years in two different Countries. The right to vote was only enjoyed enjoyed by those who had citizenship.
In Canada, till the late 70's, Maltese being considered British subjects, enjoyed the right to vote in municipal elections only. That is no longer the case.
Perhaps any Maltese National, residing in a foreign Country and not a citizens of that Country, would like to tell us if they have the right to vote in National elections.
@ Anthony Magri
You are connecting the right to vote with the right of citizenship.
Europe’ dream is emulating USA experience. Please I would like to ask how do you define citizenship in the light of the United States of Europe?
I say so while I know USA and EU aren’t the same. The latter still many decades backwards in terms of agreed-up common immigrants policy. Until we have an Obama contesting an European election, EU remains backwards.
You say: ‘Voting rights cannot be given to non nationals.”
How AD chairman Arnold Cassola contest on Italian election?
@ D Attard
It’s unfortunate Dr. Simon Busuttil putting his sterling works at stake.
He fully understand the Maltese obsession with immigrants (so obsessed that they could not distinguish between legal immigrants and illegal immigrants) yet ignoring another fact: Third country nation could be an European but not EU citizen (a Swiss citizen for example)
The above article indirectly fuelling the public against immigrants, yet you here same Dr. Simon Busuttil speaks about integrations! What a two-facedness in order to have votes!
Please put this in your head. I lived in Germany and the UK, payed my taxes and was entitled to a electoral vote, being General, Local or EU. Hope you got it now. To know the laws of a country one has to leave the limits of Mellieha.
Just what we need in a country with thousands of immigrants were the government is decided with a threshold of 1500 !
Only Maltese Nationals, that is Maltese citizens, should be able to vote in national elections that as a consequence could effect Malta's Sovereignty or could pit Malta's Interest on the International scene against that of another Country. Period.
In my previous post I have asked Willian P Flynn to name me which country grants the vote to non citizens to vote in National Elections; I ask you the same question to substantiate your point.
The right to vote has nothing to do with democracy; it is simple that a right - which is earned by either being born in the country in question or taking out citizenship in that country.
The only deficit that is missing exists only in your reasoning in this matter.
"All the European emigrants were given the right to vote wherever they settled ."
Can you please tell me which countries you are refering to in your statement above?
Well said! Unfortunately Simon Busuttil is actually using the word "migrants" and "immigrants" in the hope that people who aren't sharp enough (and there seem to be many) mistake them for the illegal immigrants that make their way to the Mediterranean ILLEGALY.
Unlucky for him, not everyone is that thick.
Few question to Dr. Simon Busuttil.
Do you contribute in EU economy?
So is the case with third country nationals (legal immigrants) living in EU.
Do you pay your taxes and national insurance …etc?
So are third country nationals living in EU.
Do you have the right to choose your government or who to present you in European Parliament, local councils or local government?
Here the big issue. Dr. Busuttil says legal Third Country National that living legally and permanently in EU should not have the right to vote.
This means legal immigrants should be living among EU citizen and while fulfilling their entire financial obligation they should never have the right to vote for a government that effect all citizens’ lives. Is this the type of equality and democracy EU promotes?.
This is a crystal clear democratic deficit I am afraid!
Old Europe will depend heavily on manpower from courtiers outside Europe. Does Dr. Busuttil suggest depriving a section of EU societies from their right to choose their government?
Here we see Zimbabwe type of e democracy not EU democracy style.
Dr.Busuttil-who pays must have the right to vote.
I will repeat. My late wife (died two years ago),a German National has lived in Malta from the year 1990-2007. Having an Alien ID, she was not allowed to vote in any General Election.
Once in the EU (2004) she was given the right to vote in Local Elections only, even in the European Elkections (MEP) she was denied the vote. The question is; Why should illegai emigrants be even be considered to have a right to a vote, it doesn`t make sense. Of course, unless this is another ploy, or better still, a different way of campaigning towards the coming June elections. Simon please change the record, this argument is getting rather boring.
Dr. Busuttil would be well advised to focus on matters of much more immediate relevance and concern, such as the voting rights of non-Maltese EU citizens in respect of the June 6th European Parliament elections.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/mepelections/view/20090427/news/960-eu-nationals-struck-off-malta-electoral-register
Oisin Jones-Dillon
Would I be right in saying that these migrants are not illegal?
All the European emigrants were given the right to vote wherever they settled . It is only reasonable that Europe should show its magnanimity by allowing those whom it allows to stay and reside in Europe to have a say in government.
Malta in particular, should re-examine and make public the reasons why its citizens living overseas cannot vote in Maltese Parliamentary Elections without many having to come half way round the world to do so. I'm sure that if there is a fair reason why we'd all understand.
One reason bandied around in these comments is "you don't live here; people living in Malta have better judgement as to who should lead Malta".
That seems an opportunistic argument as any expatriate who happens to be in Malta or makes the effort to go there can vote anyway without "living there".
- Voting Rights for immigrants
- Open our borders to terrorists from Guantanamo
- Not to return migrants illegal migrants to their countries
I bet PL MEPs will be campaigning at the Marsa open centre next week.
Dr. Busuttil would be well advised to focus on issues of immediate concern, such as the voting rights of non-Maltese EU citizens in respect of the June 6th European Parliament elections:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/mepelections/view/20090427/news/960-eu-nationals-struck-off-malta-electoral-register
Oisin Jones-Dillon