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MALTATODAY 22 May 2019 Midweek

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12 OPINION THERE is, sadly, the popular impression is that when MEPs are elected to the European Parliament they are on to a five-year fun ride. Truth offers a vastly different picture as the whole institutional EU scenario manifestly unfolds itself before the very eyes of those who win the people's vote. From then on it would depend on them as to which way to navitage, success- fully or not, the corridors of Eu- ropean power. As an EU lawmaker, new MEPs will gradually establish for themselves the desired di- rection that best represents the interests and aspirations of the citizens living in the cities and regions of Europe that have elected them. In the process, MEP swould need to maintain a political lifeline with those very same people, interest groups and business- es as they wield the newly- gained privilege of, among many other things, being able to quiz the Commission and the Council of Ministers on their behalf. At the same time, an MEP has to play an essential role when it comes to discussing and taking action on such big, global issues as migration, cli- mate change, human rights and financial matters. This dual character of the role of an MEP needs getting used to, as distinguished from the role of the national MP who has, more or less, the traditional Government vs Opposition setting to deal with. Some may be tempted to think I am painting too rosy a picture of the ideal MEP. However, having worked in a European context for sev- eral years, I feel free to look at things without resorting to the use of tinted glasses. The MEP's job, if carried out dili- gently and genuinely enough, can be a major source of both satisfaction and dedication to the benefit of those many citi- zens who accord him or her the privilege of representing them at Europe's highest in- stitution. Split between work for their constituents back home and the work in the committees, political groups and, natu- rally, the plenary sessions, the daily life of MEPs can be quite heavy-going. This apart from the need for them to form part of EP delegations working on relations with non-EU coun- tries across the globe. It certainly means the suc- cessful EP candidate cannot afford to lack the technical know-how and the profession- al acumen to take an active part in the drafting process of EU legislation. I consider myself privileged to have ac- cumuated substantial work- ing experience within the EU system, at various levels in- cluding the Council and the European Commission. This was the impetus behind my decision to follow it up with a parliamentary role if the elec- torate so decides. EU strictures apart, perhaps what is more important is the role of a Maltese MEP in Brussels. While it is defined by those very same reponsi- bilities and obligations, there are some particular realities one has to consider. Malta's six-voice presence inside the European Parliament is the smallest, but this does not necessarily mean it is the least influential. Suffice to say we have had, in the past, MEPs whose interventions – on is- sues of concern to European and Maltese citizens alike – made a difference. Prime Minister Joseph Mus- cat, for example, was the MEP who highlighted the issue of unfair mobile phone roaming charges, an issue then suc- cessfully followed through by Marlene Mizzi who has also been a stalwart in the defence of animal rights. Alfred Sant has been, all along, the re- straining force fighting the anti-Malta campaign in the European Parliament while al- so doing important legislative work in the area of taxation. Miriam Dalli got accolades for her no less splendid work on the issue of car emissions de- spite a not-so-subtle backlash from big car business interests and lobbies. The EP election on May 25 offers Maltese citizen the op- portunity to elect a group of six competent MEPs who are able to put aside their ideo- logical differences to defend Malta's interests in the face of seven hundred other MEPs with their own targets and strategies. The national in- terest is far too important to continue to be the victim of selfish, treacherous attitudes on the part of those who are where they are thanks only to the citizens who trusted them with their votes. Our demo- cratic system happily and consistently offers time for retribution, when each and every serving MEP who seeks re-election finally has to stand and be counted, to be judged on his or her performance. It is where the ideal MEP again comes in. He or she can be found from among those who do well in the people's cross examination of their performance during the past five years, as well as from among the crop of new can- didates who can provide the required alternative and, in the process, bring back the harmony that once existed among Malta's MEP group. My pledge is, in fact, to re- instate Maltese unity in Brus- sels on the basis of my own EU perspective. I know what the EU needs of Malta, but, more important, I know what Malta needs of the EU. It is my hope to be able to traverse this course on behalf of my fellow citizens. And that, certainly, is no fun ride. maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 MAY 2019 Robert Micallef is a Labour Party candidate for the European Elections Robert Micallef The ideal MEP We have had, in the past, MEPs whose interventions – on issues of concern to European and Maltese citizens alike – made a difference OPINION Robert Micallef CAREER OPPORTUNITY Lands Authority is seeking applications from interested persons to fill the following position: Senior Professional Officer - Lawyer Jobplus Permit Number – 131/2019 ESSENTIAL Qualifications In possession of a law degree and a valid warrant to practise as an Advocate in the courts of Malta and Gozo WE ARE RECRUITING https://landsauthority.org.mt/about-us/careers/ Experience Having previously worked in other legal roles will be considered an asset Interested persons are kindly requested to submit a letter of application and a detailed CV only by email, as one pdf document to: hr.la@landsauthority.org.mt by Monday 3rd June 2019. Emails are to indicate the position being applied for and the name of the applicant in the subject. Applications will be acknowledged and treated in strictest confidence. For more information visit the link below:

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