MEPs accused of acting illegally
The seven candidates who did not take an oath on their MEP election expenses but had their agents do this on their behalf had acted illegally, MEP candidates Emy Bezzina and Norman Lowell are insisting.
The candidates were the six elected MEPs and Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas.
Addressing a news conference this morning, Dr Bezzina and Mr Lowell accused the agents of taking a false oaths and the six MEPs and Dr Metsola Tedesco Triccas of hiding behind the agents.
They called on the Attorney General to investigate this matter and on the Police Commission to probe the candidates’ expenditure.
They presented another judicial protest this morning to follow that which they had filed on July 6 and to which only electoral commissioner Edward Gatt had replied to say that his legal obligations were that the declarations were filed.
“This reflected the arrogance of those in power,” Dr Bezzina said. He called on the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader to disassociate themselves from the alleged abuses.
The electoral law states that candidates cannot spend more than €18,635 on the campaign, including personal expenditure and that by third parties whether financial or in kind.
If the limit is exceeded, it was possible candidates would not be allowed to serve if elected. If not elected, the person was liable to a fine.
Mr Lowell and Dr Bezzina insisted that if the law was broken, the election should be annulled in terms of the electoral law.
They asked the authorities to investigate all spending including advertising and promotion on newspapers, online advertising, mail shots and billboards.
Dr Bezzina said he knew of one specific candidate who was given a donation of €500,000 by a major businessmen. Once the court case was opened, he said, he and Mr Lowell would make this information public.
Mr Lowell said he wanted to see justice prevail.
“This is a perverse establishment worthy of a third world country,” he said.
See also:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090731/local/meps-expenses-within-limit
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Ludwig Flask
Aug 1st 2009, 13:49
"The seven candidates who did not take an oath on their MEP election expenses but had their agents do this on their behalf..."? Whom did the Maltese elect, the MEPs or their agents? - if I were a rich man...
Anthony Magri
Jul 31st 2009, 18:33
"What's good for the goose is good for the gander". What applies to the MEP elections should more appropiately apply to the last general elections when the power of incumbency prevailed from the P.N. side. ABC please comment! By the way incumbancy was an Iran's election irregularity.
David Borg
Jul 31st 2009, 17:35
Lead by example ha ha. Why pay your taxes? If they break the law why can't we...?
Robert Callus
Jul 31st 2009, 17:25
@Joe Galea
''If you don't afford it, don't go for it.''
That's how things are being done now. THAT's exactly the reason why they should change. Being rich/having rich friends DOES NOT make you a good politician.
Apart from that, rich friends do not contribute for nothing. They will expect preferencial treatment (to say the least) that law abiding citizens will be deprived of.
c. camilleri
Jul 31st 2009, 16:37
This reminds of George Orwell's novel 'Animal farm' All animals are equal but some are more equal than others. The question is this. Can anyone have any confidence and trust in these people who blatantly broke the electoral law and of course refused to take the oath of adhering to the electoral rules.
G.Schembri
Jul 31st 2009, 16:02
I am more interested in who sponsored these people and how, rather than by how much these people spent. As Charles Sammut said a donation of 1000s of Euros is not a donation but an investiment.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jul 31st 2009, 15:52
"one specific candidate was given a donation of €500,000 by a major businessman." Imagine what a lot of major businessmen must give to the political parties.
No wonder we are not all treated as being equal.
Will I, who never donated anything to any political party be treated equally to this fine major businessman? I wonder.
Adrian Borg Cardona
Jul 31st 2009, 14:44
@ Joe Galea: the law is the law and some candiates obeyed the law and this did not help them in their campaign. Why should disregarding the law advantage anybody? Isn''t it time for all political parties and candidates to declare all donations? And to all those who a few days ago were shouting that the law is the same for all and that nobody is above the law when Astrid Vella was interrogated, I hope you still believe what you said then! Now we will see.
Charles Micallef
Jul 31st 2009, 14:32
@ Joe Galea
Some of us cannot see what is just and right for their political blinkers!
Although we might not have always agreed about their approach to some of the key issues they raise, in our hearts we know that have a good reasons for doing so, please be assured that these two gentlemen have nationwide backing on this particular issue.
This is simply, a case of fiddling the figures / cooking the books call it what you like.
As far as I am concerned, I and I am sure many others are concerned, we will treat future EU Elections as one big joke just like the rest of the political issues on these blessed Islands
Charles Sammut
Jul 31st 2009, 14:12
@ Joe Galea
Time will tell whose grapes will turn sour. I am also eager to learn what sort of returns are expected by those who invested heavily in certain candidates.
€500,000 is not a donation, it is an investment. It is for this exact purpose that the campaign spending is capped. This is more serious than just breaking a law. It is taking a false oath, bribery, corruption and influence peddling. All the things which undermine a democracy.
Joseph Schembri
Jul 31st 2009, 14:11
I may not agree with Norman Lowell on most things that he says but I do agree here. Meanwhile I also like what Emy Bezzina says even though he sometimes does it in a flamboyant and unusual manner. But it is the message that counts not the messenger.
C.Sammut
Jul 31st 2009, 14:10
I would be proactive about this and ensure that next elections, any activities are to be registered prior, so that limits are enforced before they are overreached. Activities can be categorised eg printing, distribution, parties, personal enhancements etc
J Farrugia
Jul 31st 2009, 14:09
Joe Galea - the law is the law and no one should break it. As long as you are a law abiding citizen. Dont you agree?
G. Fenech
Jul 31st 2009, 13:46
"All animals are equal, yet some animals are more equal than others"
i find this quite fiiting.
Joe Galea
Jul 31st 2009, 13:38
Norman Lowell and Emmy Bezzina are reaching at sour grapes.
Come on, what do you expect, taht we have electoral campaigns with just some balloons? If you don't afford it, don't go for it. Or else, go for it with a sound and concrete manifesto and be charismatic enough to reach a majority of the country.