Well, I wonder...

AD recently remarked on the fact that nearly 1000 EU residents in Malta were struck off the electoral register. This ‘apparent mishap’ was quickly solved, after timely interventions by the European Commission Representation and the European Parliament office, and many of my constituents have even reported this to their respective embassies.

A happy ending? Maybe, but who has been ‘struck’ off the register must now re-apply, and there are many people who now may have changed their mind after this ‘accident’, and cannot really be bothered. The same situation applies to old and ill people who have go to Evan’s Laboratory in Valletta to do all the necessary paperwork.

Sometimes I wonder if, five years on, the Maltese government realises that it has taken us in Europe. For certain attitudes smack of insularity and surely do not reflect well on our European commitment. Many of these EU residents have made Malta their home, are married to Maltese, and contribute to the economic well-being of the country, and yet their right to vote for EP elections (something which is normal in all other EU countries) is being, if not denied, made more difficult.

One should also remark that these people are among the wealthiest and the best connected individuals in the EU. The financial, logistical, political and diplomatic implications for Malta at EU level as well as bi/multi-lateral EU relations for Malta are dire, when confronted by such confusion for such a basic right.

As a columnist mentioned recently, it seems that we bend over backward to make things difficult when it comes to voting rights. The same can be said for the ridiculous quibbles about voting rights to the Small Nations Games athletes and many expats such as those working in the European institutions.

I was under the impression that EU accessions would serve to make the Maltese - especially the younger generations - more outward looking and less insular. But it seems that everybody is moving on, except the decision makers and the powers that be.