Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/191652
3 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2013 Alfred Sant says he wants to serve Maltese not Europe LABOUR MEP candidate Alfred Sant said he has no intention of becoming European Commissioner, as his priority is that of defending Malta's interests, and not those of Europe. "I had, have and will absolutely have no interest to be considered for the post of European Commissioner," former prime minister Alfred Sant said during a political event in Iklin. "As an MEP, if elected, my primary aim would be to defend Malta's interests. An EU Commissioner however has the duty to first and foremost defend the interests of Europe. I would not be able to assume such a function, even if some people have told me that's what I should have aimed for," Sant said yesterday. Noting his approval to the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's insistence that he would always defend Malta's interests if he had to choose between Europe and China, should a dispute arise between the two blocs, Sant said, "That is exactly how I feel about any contribution I could make to Malta's participation in the EU." The former Labour leader explained how in his view, Malta had failed to maximise the benefits during its first ten years of EU membership, while limiting its adverse effects. He however said that in the future, this could change, through a coher- Alfred Sant is taking full advantage of the general resentment towards the European Union amongst hardcore Labour voters ent and committed stance to ensure that Malta's national interest is really taken into account. The new Labour government has kick-started this process, Alfred Sant said, adding that the government's stand should be fully supported at European Parliament level. Asked whether his previous – and firm – anti-EU stance is an obstacle in his bid to win one of Malta's six seats in Brussels, Sant said he had never been against the EU. He said that the EU was a positive step for Europe and the rest of the world. However, membership entailed an acceptance of the benefits and burdens arising from its rules and Malta needed to take it into account, which, according to Sant, it hasn't done properly so far. "Once the people decided, by means of a general election, to go for membership, the duty of all was to accept the decision and make the best of it," he said. Gas supply winner to be announced today AFTER last week's announcement that Yildirim Consortium has been dropped from the shortlist for the Long Term Power Purchase Agreement and a Gas Supply Agreement for the new power plant in Delimara, today the government is expected to announce the winner from the final shortlist. The choice is between the two remaining bidders. One has a direct Maltese connection, while the other includes US interests that could balance the growing Chinese influence through the acquisition of part of Enemalta by a state-owned Chinese company. ElectroGas includes the participation of the Malta-based Tumas and Gasan groups together with the state energy company of Azerbaijan. The other bidder is a consortium made up of two Texan based companies namely Endevour Energy and Exodus Crossing and the oil trading company; BB Energy. The winner of the tender will provide natural gas at a fixed price for the first five years of an 18-year agreement. Enemalta, which will be partly Chinese-owned, will be committed to buy fuel from the company to fuel its own power station, while the new operator will also sell energy directly produced in its own power station. The new operator will own the LNG terminal providing gas for both power stations. This will practically put the fuel procurement process to an end, as the energy supply will be devolved to one company. MT SURVEY The switchers and the loyalists CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The MT survey coincides with the first parliamentary skirmishes, which included a walkout by the Opposition in protest against a ruling by the Speaker. The survey suggests that while Busuttil has consolidated his position as undisputed leader of his party, getting the trust of 86% of PN voters (up from 73% in June), he still has a long way to go to win over other niches, even if he makes some significant advances among a minority of the switchers. In fact, while Muscat retains the same level of support among PL voters and the switchers, Busuttil makes significant advances among PN voters and the switchers. Muscat increased his trust rating, mainly thanks to a surge of support among the respondents who did not disclose their vote in the last general election. This indicates that Labour voters were over-represented in this category. ESTELLE Trust barometer: Muscat more trusted than Busuttil June July October Joseph Muscat 43.3 39.7 47.4 Simon Busuttil 25.9 26.7 31.1 None 9.2 8.4 7.2 Don't know 21.6 25.1 14.3 PN Voters PL Voters Switchers Undisclosed* 90 (-0.2) 66.2 (-0.6) 30.4 (+10.2) Simon Busuttil 85.5 (+4.8) 5.1 (+3.5) 23.5 (+14) 19.6 (-2.1) None 5.8 (+2.4) 2.8 (-1.2) 4.0 (-10.3) 12.5 (-) Don't know 5.8 (-5.6) 2.1 (-2) 6.3 (-3.2) 37.5 (-8.1) Joseph Muscat 2.9 (-1.6) *Respondents who did not disclose how they voted in 2013 election 5 Years to Celebrate, 125 Years to Remember OPEN ALL DAY FXB, Mdina Road, Qormi, QRM 9014, Malta, T +356 2147 0047, F +356 2149 3639 E info@fxb.com.mt /FXBfurniture