Labour MEP Joseph Cuschieri said last night that he would not be seeking re-election because the PL had already decided who it wanted to see elected and he had been put among the losers. 

His comments were backed by Labour MP Marelene Farrugia, who has already said she will not contest the next general election. In a facebook comment she said: "Well said Joseph Cuschieri... The party machinery is destroying the Labour Movement ....the people voted for fair , transparent, accountable politics....".

Nominations for next month’s EP elections opened today.

Speaking on Xejk TV last night, Mr Cuschieri said every candidate should be treated in the same way and no one should enjoy an advantage or disadvantage.

He said that the past seven elections he had contested had been fair, with no interference or anybody making abusive use of the party machinery.

However he felt that this time, the situation was not the same.

“Unfortunately, this time the situation is not the same, I never participated in elections which had already been decided, but elections where the candidates were on equal footing.”  Because of this reason he would not contest the EP elections, he said.

He said he was heartbroken by his decision. He had confidence in the prime minister and would continue to militate in the PL.

But he said that although he had complained to Dr Muscat and to the president of the Labour Party, nothing had changed, and the PL had already decided   who should be elected.

He felt he should not take part in an election when the party machinery would put him among the losers.

Mr Cuschieri was elected as Malta's sixth MEP five years ago. He was previously an MP but gave up his seat so that Dr Muscat could be co-opted.

Mr Cuschieri said he never sought preferential treatment but a level playing field.

He said he was currently on long leave because of his duties in the EP, and when that was over he would return to his job in the PL.

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