Malta could have its first women MEPs
Roberta Metsola, left, and Marlene Mizzi.
Malta could finally have its first women MEPs next year thanks to the decisions of Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil and Labour MEP Edward Scicluna to enter the local fray.
In the very likely event that Dr Busuttil gets a seat in Malta’s Parliament, Roberta Metsola Tedesco Tricca is next in line and stands most to gain from a casual election.
Meanwhile, business-lobbyist Vince Farrugia is tipped to replace PN’s other MEP, David Casa, who was yesterday also confirmed, together with Dr Busuttil, as a PN general election candidate.
PN’s executive President Marthese Portelli is the third contender in line, giving rise to the possibility that Malta would get two women MEPs in one go, depending on the way the votes are inherited. (Dr Portelli was yesterday also announced as a PN general election candidate for the ninth district.)
From Labour’s point of view, the election of Prof. Scicluna would likely result in Marlene Mizzi gaining a seat. The businesswoman placed seventh in the polls – the best-scoring woman in 2009.
But since Dr Busuttil had earned an impressive 70,000 votes, the likeliest candidate remains Dr Metsola, who has recently shortened her mouthful of a surname.
She had earned almost 6,000 votes, but inherited most of Dr Busuttil’s surplus votes, after Mr Casa.
Dr Busuttil and Mr Casa would have to vacate their MEP seats if elected to Malta’s Parliament, triggering a casual election.
After the PN candidates who contested the 2009 election register their interest, the votes making up their quotas would then be opened and distributed to the candidates according to voters’ preferences.
Sources who analysed the voting preferences of the 2009 election data said there was an almost “mathematical certainty” that Dr Metsola would finally be given her seat in the European Parliament.
This would put an end to the current situation where Malta is the only EU member state with an all-male group of MEPs.
Contacted yesterday for her reaction, Dr Metsola said she had followed the news of Dr Busuttil’s candidature and was pleased that the PN would have his help at the next election.
“If I were in Malta and my family circumstances were different, I would do the same,” she said.
Dr Metsola is lawyer specialised in EU law who works in Brussels on a secondment by the Government as a legal advisor to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton.
She said it was “too early” to comment on her chances since Dr Busuttil’s seat was not yet vacant.
“If and when the seat will become vacant, I will take that decision,” she said.
Asked how she felt about the fact that Malta could have its first woman MEP, she said: “I maintain what I used to say during the election... It is always healthy to have both genders represented on bodies, especially democratically-elected ones.”
“The will of the electorate is what it is. In 2009, the candidates elected were all men. Now we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Dr Metsola, who had first contested the MEP elections in 2004, would have been elected in 2009 had the PN not suffered such a resounding defeat, enabling Labour to elect a fourth out of six seats.
Mr Farrugia could not be contacted.
Meanwhile, it yesterday emerged that the candidatures of Dr Busuttil and Mr Casa have been strategically placed to counter the support of the two MPs who tested the PN during this legislature: Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Franco Debono.
Dr Busuttil will be contesting the 11th district – the stronghold of now independent Dr Pullicino Orlando, while Mr Casa will be contesting the fifth district, the stronghold of Dr Debono.
Mr Casa was yesterday appointed rapporteur on a report to set up a Quick Reaction Mechanism to tackle VAT fraud in the EU. The report will establish the European Parliament’s position on a Commission proposal presented last July.
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29 Comments
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Brian Farrugia
Sep 20th 2012, 07:52
Nothing to do with quotas, read the article properly.
Peter Murray
Sep 18th 2012, 15:07
Is this part of the EU quotas for women perhaps?
Francis Farrugia
Sep 18th 2012, 14:56
My personal idea is that Dr. Busuttil`s and Mr. Casa`s places are as MEP`s. It is through there efforts that Malta managed to get what we are getting from the EU. But the PN is now showing that the Party comes before the Country.
Michael Sammut
Sep 18th 2012, 18:46
In that case and with your reasoning - both parties have the same agenda!
Pule' Carmel
Sep 18th 2012, 14:22
The first that women should fight for is for women mothers to have, paid two year sabbatical leave as some University staff have! rather than the thirteen week that they are allotted at present, I believe!
An Unpaid mother and a paid teacher during summer holidays and sabbatical is a subject for consideration.
My own mother cared for six children and she never received one penny for caring for them on a full time basis. she had no sabbaticals!!!! Food for thought women!!!
This morning I was listening to a female employee at University and the above was her words and not mine, but I cannot say that there was no substance in it. Incidentally she also mentioned why is it that Politicians and Court Magistrate and Judges have uncapped pensions while she in her time was paid less that £M6000 in her time and does not receive enugh pensions. It seems that we are not equal under the sun!
I bet this puts the cat amongst the pigions that women are MEPs.
R. Agius
Sep 18th 2012, 12:27
Having a woman as MEP just for the sake of gender equality is just wrong. I think that the most capable persons should be in the EP. That being sad I am all for a full compement of women MEPs provided they are the most competent for the job.
S. Bonello
Sep 18th 2012, 12:52
SAD as in SAID ??
GL Calleja
Sep 18th 2012, 13:06
Well said Mr Agius.
R. Agius
Sep 18th 2012, 13:33
*said. Apologies.
GL Calleja
Sep 18th 2012, 12:15
Finally a hint of hope that Malta will be properly represented by these two capable women. Also it would be a consolation for the PN to see Simon Busuttil take a leading position in the Party. Who knows maybe he will even run for the PM position. Never say never.
S.M. Cuschieri
Sep 18th 2012, 11:45
Go girls...........hee Hee! make Malta proud!
Clint Cassar
Sep 18th 2012, 11:30
Dr Roberta Mettsola Triccas - You are definitely the best contender to succeed Dr Simon Busuttil. You are ideal as an MEP and always remained loyal to the post. Good luck!
Charles Sammut
Sep 18th 2012, 19:00
..always remained loyal to gonziPN....
D. Xerri
Sep 18th 2012, 11:27
Deviating the Nation`s attention, to second probably even third matters when it comes to priorities that need to be done in this country as usual when general elections are on the way.
J Martinelli
Sep 18th 2012, 14:45
Since when is electing MEPs a 'third priority'?
Go tell it to the Labour Party which for months on end trumpeted the momentous event of electing a fourth MEP! According to you, then, electing Edward Scicluna MEP to a Labour MP is a third priority? He would be so glad to hear that.
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Sep 18th 2012, 11:19
It would be a very nice development to see Maltese Maltese women MEPs in Brussels and would prove to Europeans that we are well past the phase of being sexist or chauvinistic. But let us not speculate especially as a local general election based on districts is very different from an MEP election based on a single constituency with no direct personal egoistic considerations for the voters. Probably Simon Busuttil given his the standing within the PN where he is treated as the crown prince will be elected without difficulty and likely to top the list for the PN. I am not sure that the other MEPs will be elected unless there is a clear directive from their party's headquarters to prefer them to other candidates.
Victor Rodenas
Sep 18th 2012, 11:17
A lot of women are going to be happy now, good things will be written about the female gender,they will be shown on TV etc,etc.........women it is about time you start voting for women as much as you vote for men....the saying goes that the worst enemy of women are women themselves,....do`nt let it be any more....we will see at the next elections.
John Zammit Ph.D.
Sep 18th 2012, 11:08
At last what I have been saying is going to happen - Maltese women MEPs. Congratulations to Dr. Roberta Metsola and Ms Marlene Mizzi. Malta is becoming more European. All that is needed now to have more political parties in both the Maltese and European Parliaments like the Liberals - www.malta-liberals.org -and the Greens.
R. Azzopardi
Sep 18th 2012, 10:19
Go girls! Show us what you're made of!
Sue Borg
Sep 18th 2012, 09:57
I wish Dr. Roberta Metsola Tedesco Tricca all the best and every success. I just hope that she´ll be visiting Malta every now and then, given that she´s living abroad.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Sep 18th 2012, 09:44
Vincent I taught you were next in line?
Sorry I must have missed a beat
Ninu
V Mercieca
Sep 18th 2012, 09:31
Is this a case of counting the chickens before they hatch?
A.M. Galea
Sep 18th 2012, 10:55
I don't think so , Mr.Mercieca . It looks like they allready know that Dr. Simon Busuttil will be replacing Dr.Gonzi as PN leader after the next General Election .
G. Abela
Sep 18th 2012, 11:10
Birds of the same feather flop together!!!!!!!
joseph borg st john
Sep 18th 2012, 11:40
I m glad A.M.Galea can tell us what is happening in the future maybe he can give us the super 5 numbers for tomorrow he should be very accurate as it is closer than the elections.
Joseph Camilleri
Sep 18th 2012, 13:17
@G. Abela: Indeed Mr Abela. That is exactly why we are so scared of Joseph Muscat. When we look at him we see Alex Sciberras Trigona, Joe Grima and Karmenu Vella. As you said birds of the same feather flop together.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 18th 2012, 15:39
Joseph Camilleri: AST and Joe Grima are not going to stand for elections. Why keep on repeating this blatant untruth?
A.M. Galea
Sep 18th 2012, 19:04
Mr Joseph Borg St.John . I am not predicting the future . I am just guessing what is the real reason for pushing forward Dr.Simon Busuttil to try to gather all the pieces from a party that is falling apart . If you want someone who can predict the future , I advise you to make contact with that Minister who predicted that the Nationalist Party is going to stay in power for another 20 years .
Joseph Camilleri
Sep 18th 2012, 20:07
@Andrew Camilleri: So what if they're not contesting the election. They're still rubbing shoulders with the future PM and it is clear that he has no intention of distancing himself from them. AST is the PL's international secretary for crying out loud! (Of all posts!)
Karmenu Vella is still contesting though..
Please choose the reason of your report below: