Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520947
9 ANALYSIS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 MAY 2024 naive pacifism to small island realism Another vague Labour com- mitment is its call for a "substan- tial reduction of bureaucracy" to make "European Union as- sistance more easily accessible". The reality is that there is good bureaucracy, which protects cit- izens and workers from abuse, and bad bureaucracy, which sti- fles job creation. For example, the EU Socialists advocate more bureaucracy when calling for "stricter procurement rules in- cluding for EU funds" to "ensure that recipients of public money respect workers' rights and col- lective bargaining." And in contrast to the EU so- cialists' commitment to "make sure taxes are paid where prof- its are made" the PL's manifes- to is devoid of any commitment for tax justice, which is a salient theme in the European socialists' manifesto. Another major omission in the manifesto is any reference to food inflation, an issue on which MEP Alex Agius Saliba has taken a pro-active stance by calling on the EU commission to investigate local cartels in food distribution. This was a rare case of Labour MEPs using EU tools to curb abusive practices in Malta. With regards to inflation, which is a top concern of the Maltese, the manifesto only references the government's commitment to the "bold decision to keep our energy prices fixed." Immigration pressures While rejecting racism and far-right politics, Labour's man- ifesto vaguely hints at a "robust policy to prevent deaths at sea and combat human trafficking" through "collaboration with transit and origin countries". In the past years this collabo- ration has taken the form of un- official and dubious agreements involving the Libyan coast guard to stop departures. Unlike Labour in Malta, the European Socialists qualify their support for agreements with transit countries by insisting on "accountability and transpar- ency", something that has been lacking in dealings between Lib- ya, Tunisia, Malta, and Italy. Moreover, the EU Social- ists make it clear that they are "against any form of EU bor- der externalisation," a proposal floated by the European People's Party which favours detention centres in third countries which will be responsible for process- ing their asylum applications. Unlike Labour in Malta, which has often clashed with charity organisations rescuing migrants at sea, the EU Socialists also promise "never to criminalise humanitarian assistance," while supporting "a European mis- sion for search and rescue in the Mediterranean." Labour's most radical propos- al is its stance for the "repatri- ation of immigrants without the right to stay in the Europe- an Union". On this aspect even the EU socialists are somewhat vague when they advocate a "well-functioning system" where "return decisions" are "carried out effectively, in a safe and dignified manner." This sug- gests that Labour is not alone in the progressive camp to feel the pressure to address public concerns, fuelling the rise of the far right. Moreover, European socialists also tend to speak a different language than the one used by their MEPs in EU insti- tutions when they are in power in other member states. While advocating the repatria- tion of failed asylum seekers La- bour also advocates "more incen- tives to attract skilled workers to the EU, whilst respecting existing national schemes." This intellec- tually honest stance reflects the demographic realities and the la- bour shortages facing Malta and other EU member states. But it also begs the question on why failed asylum seekers, especially those who have been working in Malta for decades are not reg- ularised in a way that they can contribute to economic growth without being exploited. A rule of law black hole? Despite the crisis gripping the country following the conclusion of a magisterial inquiry on the sale of public hospitals, the PL's manifesto does not even include a single reference to the 'rule of law' issue. In contrast, the European So- cialists insist that upholding the rule of law is "the best defence against abuses of power." They also underline the crucial role of a "trustworthy judiciary," civil so- ciety, and media pluralism in fos- tering democracy. Moreover, the socialists also "want clear rules and sanctions, using all available tools to ensure that no EU fund- ing reaches autocratic govern- ments." Not so feminist anymore? But the most shocking omission in the PL's manifesto is any refer- ence to gender equality, a central plank in the campaigns of other European socialists. This is es- pecially damning from a govern- ment which once prided itself on being the most feminist in Mal- tese history. In contrast, the European So- cialists proudly underline their feminist credentials by express- ing pride in being "the party of feminism" while insisting that women should be "in control of their own lives and bodies with free and full access to their sex- ual and reproductive health and rights." This further underlines the rift between continental progres- sives, for whom abortion is a ba- sic right, and the current crop of Labour MEP candidates, none of whom have taken a pro-choice stance. Also awkward is Labour's fail- ure to take pride in its impressive track record on the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community, a sec- tor where Labour turned Malta from a laggard to a global lead- er. One way of doing this could have been by calling for enshrin- ing these rights across the Eu- ropean continent, especially in view of the EU socialists' pledge to "push for the adoption of the European Anti-Discrimination Directive." Above: The European Socialists underline their support for the European defence industry through targeted and smarter spending fully aware that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a 'turning point in history'. On the contrary, the commitment of Labour MEPs to "ensure that the Europe we are part of serves as a promoter of peace amongst people worldwide, rather than a source of conflict or division," sounds like empty declarations made by Eurovision or Miss World contestants. (Photo: European Defence Agency) The Labour government's nominee for European Commissioner five years ago, Helena Dalli, was handed the equality portfolio after having championed civil rights advances in Malta. But in its manifesto for the 2024 election, the PL omits any reference to gender equality and women's rights. (Photo: Claudio Centonze/European Commission) Labour's manifesto takes a dig at Roberta Metsola for her stance on Gaza but falls short of advocating sanctions against Israel's relentless violations of international law. (Photo: X/EP President)