By Ivan Grixti, Times of Malta

Having submitted my doctoral thesis, I am now waiting to be called for my viva as I continue campaigning across Maltese towns and villages. Therefore, the first six months of this new year are, definitely, important for me and my family.

Obtaining my doctoral degree is top of the agenda having spent eight years juggling around since I was only allowed to do my PhD on a part-time basis. Being given the privilege of representing the Maltese people in the European Parliament would be yet another possibility of putting in play my competencies for the good of my fellow citizens.Only time will tell what’s in the waiting for me. Whatever happens, I will face everything with great humility and be thankful to the Lord for all my blessings.

 

The EU, as a major economic bloc, is also bracing itself for major events ahead, not only because Greece has assumed the presidency but also because of the bad feel factor most citizens have due to debt-laden EU states, Greece included. This will, needless to say, manifest itself when EU citizens go to the polls in May to select their 751 representatives, six of whom from Malta. Rather than refraining from going to the polls, it seems that most EU citizens will be using next May’s elections to deliver their own verdicts on the European Union itself.

According to recent surveys, anti-establishment parties seem to be picking up support. Why? For the very simple reason that EU leaders are being accused of being cut off from the reality that their citizens are living through and of being unaccountable.

This is, definitely, a call for EU politicians to instil confidence in the people they represent. Doing so will not be easy and Greece has a very important role to play.

Having gone through the great pains of economic recession with recovery still being slow there, it can reach out to other austerity-hit countries such as Spain and Portugal. Unfortunately, there are still prospects of more social unrest as the economic crisis lingers on.

In a recent interview with Euronews, Jan Techau, director of the European think-tank Carnegie Europe, said that the need to save is essential because it is evident that “over the last three or four decades we have quite massively, systematically lived beyond our means and now this is coming home to roost, that’s quite clear”.

The biggest challenge will definitely be how to trigger off economic growth and, thereby, improve employment opportunities while again implementing the culture of savings.

The Greek presidency will, undoubtedly, push ahead for this though any positive effects will only be felt way after the end of its six-month presidency. However, the European Parliament that is elected in May will be engaged for the next five years and a new Commission, together with a new leader, will be installed by November.

Addressing the biggest challenge mentioned above will be up to the next generation of MEPs and EU commissioners.

This is precisely why it is utterly important that all EU citizens, including fellow Maltese, should go to the polls. May 24 will be an important day that will decide whether the right talent is elected to assist in the promulgation of adequate policies.

 

Installing the right policies and engaging in a concerted effort to generate new wealth within the EU can then help to cultivate yet again confidence in EU institutions.

*Ivan Grixti is a Labour candidate for the European Parliament elections.