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In a week’s time, the Maltese public will be using their democratic tool to participate and vote in Malta’s first elections for the European Parliament.
This electoral campaign is a chance to have an inclausive debate about how Malta can best face the challenges and opportunities provided by EU membership. Within the current realities and time frames the discussion should be focused on the future. The debate should not only be looking at what Malta can get from membership but should also deal with how Malta can contribute to the evolution of Europe’s constitutional development.
The European Union is based on the ideals of democracy, institutional building and citizen’s participation. One should not forget that the Union historically derives from the need to overcome differences and curb wars on the European Continent. In light of recent international events, Europe has been attempting to avoid conflicts even beyond its borders. Although the European Union does not have a united voice on foreign policy the majority in Europe have condemned the war against Iraq.
The new European Union should be a union of equal partners. Some time ago, there was a tendency to discuss the core Europe consisting of France and Germany. Enlargement is re-focusing Europe on to other states that may geographically lie on the periphery of the European map.
Europe is living a new era; one of internal change and constant challenges. To be able to stimulate the process of development there is a need to develop a new identity for the European Union setting its character, goals and aspirations. This should not be carried out only in Brussels and Strasbourg but within all member states particularly by the grassroot societies.
Integration within the European Union does not only have a political and economic dimension, but also cultural and social ones. Participation in European institutions should also be perceived as an opportunity to reassess our own norms and methods, look at issues from a wider perspective, exchange ideas and benchmark against other European societies.
Members of the European Parliament are a sort of double representative. They represent the Maltese people in the European parliament, but they also represent the spirit and activities of the EP in Malta. MEPs are members of political groups in the European Parliament. Political Parties can act as a bridge between the institutions and civil society. On one hand we can help transmit the efficiency associated with institutions to the work of representative NGOs while on the other hand helping to infuse the energy of NGOs and civil society in the European institutional set up.
Members of the European Parliament should help foster a greater sense of belonging to Europe amongst the electorate by explaining why the work of the institutions is relevant to the daily lives of the Maltese people.
Robert Micallef was employed as an economist with the European Commission and worked for the EU Delegation to Malta. He is an MLP candidate for the European Parliament Elections
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