As the European Parliament election approaches, Caroline Muscat speaks to two officials who represent the EU's political institutions in Malta.

Julian Vassallo

Head of the European Parliament office in Malta

In the latest Eurobarometer survey, 13 per cent of Maltese voters said they "would definitely not vote". Is this a cause for concern considering the country's usual high turnout for elections?

Malta's traditionally high turnout at elections is something to be proud of because it is an element of a healthy democracy. Nevertheless, some voters are clearly tempted to stay at home either out of lack of interest or out of a wish to send a political message.

There is little we can do to convince those who insist on staying at home for purely local political reasons but we are doing our utmost to target those who still need to be convinced of the significance of their vote.

Throughout our bring-out-the-vote campaign, we have challenged those who plan to stay home with the idea that if they do not decide who will represent them, their neighbours will decide for them. Do they really want other people to decide for them on crucial issues, from illegal immigration to the length of maternity leave; from who regulates the Internet to the political colour of the next President of the European Commission?

How would you evaluate the contribution of Malta's last five MEPs?

Several of our MEPs have proved they can single-handedly make a difference on issues that are important to Maltese voters. It is not easy. It takes people who are able to build a reputation of seriousness and hard work, people who are able to convince their political groups and often their political adversaries of the strength of their arguments.

It is such characteristics that we should be looking for in our candidates. Our MEPs will not have strength in numbers. But they will no doubt harness the strength of their political groups to seek to get their way in the interest of Malta and, one would hope, Europe.

Do you think partisan politics still guides voters in the MEP elections?

Yes, but it is not the whole story. I think a majority of Maltese cannot get themselves to vote for candidates who are not from the party they traditionally support. But these past five years have confused the issue somewhat. We often saw our MEPs co-operating across party lines to bring Malta's argument to the table, showing citizens that they are just as likely to benefit from MEPs from the opposing camp as from their own.

So we should not be surprised if we see more cross-party voting in this election - as well as gaps in the usually solid list of preferences for one party.

That said, partisan politics and party loyalty are an important part of the electoral equation. They certainly help bring out the vote. Parties have programmes and political visions for Europe and these also need to be at the centre of citizens' choices. After all, the European Parliament is no talking shop but one of the most powerful and influential parliaments in the world legislating for half a billion people.

Immigration is the highest concern among citizens, followed by unemployment and purchasing power. What difference can MEPs make on these issues?

These are concerns of all Europeans, and strategies and solutions will continue to be elaborated for all three. Where will Malta feature in these solutions? And if new EU funding is part of the equation, will Malta get its fair share?

This election is important because it will decide whether we elect MEPs with the calibre and vision to ensure that solutions proposed address our needs as Maltese and as Europeans. We need hard workers, tough negotiators, effective communicators and convinced Europeans. Not only do we need to choose, but we need to choose the best.

Joanna Drake

European Commission Head of Representation

Second time round, do you think Maltese voters are approaching the MEP elections differently?

Over the past five years EU membership helped to catalyse change in various spheres of life, such as the economy, the political sphere and the environment. One major change was the de-politicisation of the EU issue.

This time round, the people's vote will be based on their personal experience of how membership affected their lives. Local political issues will also have a bearing; evidence of this is the way the two major political parties have crafted their respective campaign messages, although this is not a phenomenon unique to Malta.

An increased dose of scepticism can also be expected as the novelty wears off, and more voters may feel inclined to abstain, which is in line with the trend in other EU countries. People's participation and choice may also reflect their assessment of the role of the MEP and the work voters perceived as having been carried out by the incumbents during their mandate.

How successful have MEPs been in standing up for the rights of Maltese citizens?

The rate of success can be measured through the various events and issues in people's lives and how these are attributed to the work of MEPs. The reality is that the Maltese MEPs had to work harder because of the limited number of MEPs Malta is allocated.

They also had to meet the very high expectations of their constituents. In fact, the public has incorporated MEPs in the list of 'complaint forums' resorted to when in need. This is not necessarily a bad thing since one of the benefits of EU membership is precisely the empowerment of citizens.

The MEPs also had to be involved in the persuasion process of their respective EP groupings to highlight issues and matters that are concerning the country rather than individuals. There are a fair share of good examples, such as immigration.

What should Maltese voters be looking for in MEP candidates?

They should definitely look at the person's ability - which is not just about being informed on issues and the decision-making process itself, although these are important for prospective MEPs to master.

In my view, ability is also reflected in the strength of character and personality needed to persuade, which is central to the process within the European Parliament. The ability to network, to create alliances across party lines and to present workable solutions are other key qualities. Any MEP must also remain close to constituents by being available, approachable and accessible.

Why is it important for Maltese to vote in these elections?

Simply put, because the European Parliament has a large, influential and decisive say on so many things we are passionate about and that affect our daily lives. The creation of the euro, the distribution of funds, the drive for safer cars, cleaner water in our bays and more rights for air passengers are all important issues that have improved our way of life.

The European Parliament had a decisive say in such initiatives. Today, EU membership is our shared reality. We have a responsibility to get the best out of it and to help reshape it for our needs.