Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521709
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JUNE 2024 MEP 2024 Q&A Is the European Union relevant to the Maltese? The relevance of the European Un- ion to Malta can best be appreciated if we think of what we would have fore- gone had we fell to Labour's campaign not to join. Malta would not have had unhindered access to the largest sin- gle market in the world. Young peo- ple would not have enjoyed myriads of opportunities to study and work in the EU. Malta would not have benefited from hundreds of millions of funds to upgrade its infrastructure. If Malta was still using the Maltese lira instead of the euro when the global financial crisis hit in 2008, this would have resulted in ex- change rate volatility that would have affected very badly trade, investment and people's standard of living. The eu- ro brought about other benefits such as greater attractiveness for foreign direct investment. You appreciate what you have when you lose it. Hopefully Malta will never go through such a trauma. The Maltese electorate is motivated by issues which are local and often partisan, does this not make it more difficult for you to campaign? Not at all. People's concerns are a con- cern for all politicians, both at local, na- tional or European level. At least from my experience, people want to converse with politicians and relay any message that they want. Unhealthy partisanship will thrive if the Maltese electorate is not educated and trained to resist and refute it. The independent media have a crucial role in this education. Joining the EU was a way for the Maltese to an- chor our young democracy in a system that can have some leverage on national governments when these go against the fundamental pillars that are the basis of the EU, most importantly democracy and the rule of law. Speaking in EU in- stitutions, like Roberta Metsola and Da- vid Casa did, against rule of law abuses, threats to media freedom and corrup- tion sends a clear signal that such issues matter to all democracies and not to Malta only. A healthy democracy means that all politicians, wherever they are, stick to what is right. The country needs politicians with a spine who stand up to be counted when they still have power to do so and not do so when they are out of power. Malta has a small representation in the European parliament, can we be influential? Influence requires skills of building al- liances through attentive listening. Be- ing informed of important issues and understanding the real motivations be- hind proposals to address such issues are key characteristics that a politician needs to have. Frank negotiations and being true to oneself are crucial ingre- dients. If politicians metamorphose into others, then they lose their capability to see issues as they would normally see them. Trust in politics is fundamental. If a politician lies, then I find it difficult to see how politicians holding opposing views would want to trust such a poli- tician in negotiating certain positions. Perhaps in politics, the most important virtue is not what position politicians have on an issue, but whether they are sincere or not, whether they are true to themselves. The message that words convey has a meaning. We cannot say what we do not mean and mean what we do not say. Why are you so motivated to stand as a member of the European parliament? I decided to contest these elections to be of service to my country and to the Mal- tese and Gozitan people. I believe in the importance of accessibility to essential services, particularly health. We still have a lot to do, on a European level, when it comes to mental health. It is affected by many factors such as the environment, employment, air quality, food, education and noise pollution, amongst others. I al- so believe that we must work more on an educational model that prepares students for life and does not focus only on an ac- ademic level. We must include commu- nication, collaboration, creative think- ing and critical thinking in every aspect of the educational system. Apart from this, there is still a lot to be done when it comes to the role of women in society. In my current and past roles in the vol- untary sector I have always given impor- tance to the collaboration and empow- erment of others. I support vulnerable groups, emphasising mental well-being as the foundation of a healthy society and economy. With my involvement in an or- ganisation at a European level in the last 16 years, I realised how important it is to make your voice heard for your country and negotiate for what is good for us as a nation. N o r m a C a m i l l e r i Nationalist Party MEP election candidate Is the European Union relevant to the Maltese? The European Union is not perfect and celebrating our membership of the EU while keeping a critical voice is important to continue to improve both the EU itself and Malta's partic- ipation as a member state. However, the EU is relevant to the Maltese as it has helped us modernise our coun- try and raise the bar in several are- as. However, much more needs to be done by our national government to ensure that the promises of EU ac- cession in the areas of good govern- ance, environmental rights, a higher standard of living and modernising the economy towards sustainability are achieved. The Maltese electorate is influenced by issues which are local and usually partisan, does this make it more difficult for you to campaign? Maltese and Gozitans are rightly concerned by the many issues they face in their daily lives. They feel that politics should try to work towards resolving these social, environmental and governance issues. When these issues are then get caught up in a partisan battle, it becomes very dif- ficult to find sustainable solutions to the real problems people are facing. This may be why people are getting more and more disheartened and cynical about politics. Can you blame them? We seem to have accepted that corruption and abuse of power are the norm. The destruction of the natural environment has become a daily threat. The rights of citizens to live quietly at home is being threat- ened by the unrestrained construc- tion that has taken over our coun- try. The number of people living in poverty is increasing. Together with a good number of volunteers who are helping me, we are saying that there is another way. My friends and I do not believe that the country is re- signed to accepting the situation we are in today. On the contrary, we be- lieve that the country is crying out to give a message that Malta and Gozo can grow and develop in another way. We believe in a country that re- spects people's rights. That rewards courage and initiative. That supports those who need help the most. That protects the common good and the environment. We believe that 8 June is a unique chance to give this posi- tive message of hope for our country. Malta has a small representation in the EP, can we be influential? Experience has shown me that if you work seriously, with a sense of open dialogue, while remaining con- sistent to your principles, you can build alliances with other deputies from all over Europe and make an impact. I served for several years as Secretary General of the Green Party in Europe. There I think I managed to convince and convey my voice, al- so in favour of issues that affect our country, despite our small size. There are other stories of Maltese who have made an impact. Roberta Metsola has reached the highest office in the European Parliament. Other Maltese MEPs influenced and brought about changes in important laws passed by the European Parliament. This atti- tude of openness and trying to build bridges between different ideas is crucial. I believe this is something I have always tried to do throughout my career and will continue to do if I am elected. Why are you so motivated to stand as a member of the European parliament? I believe that I can serve my country and its people by working in favour of those values that should shape us as a nation. I believe that politics should stand up for the right of everyone to live in a healthy environment. The Maltese and the Gozitans should not live in fear that the natural, cultural and social environment will contin- ue to be destroyed to line the pock- ets of the few. Politics should work for a fair society where you succeed because of your ability and poten- tial, not because of who you know. Politics should strive for a beautiful country that creates a welcoming so- ciety for children and young people and not pushes them away to go and live abroad. I have always tried to live and work in favour of these positive values. I believe that in the European Parliament I can be a voice of hope that these positive values can prevail in our country too. A r n o l d C a sso l a Independent candidate for the MEP election