Peter Agius questions scale of spending by MEP candidates backed by ‘millionaire patrons’

PN candidate Peter Agius claims Labour candidates’ election spend suggests their loyalties lie elsewhere 

Thousands of euros are being spent by MEP candidates for their weekly rallies and public meetings
Thousands of euros are being spent by MEP candidates for their weekly rallies and public meetings

How much are MEP candidates spending in their bid to get elected? 

Thousands of euros, probably far more than the €18,000 spending limit last imposed on European elections. 

Peter Agius, the Nationalist candidate for MEP, posted three photos of the outdoor meeting tents set up by Labour candidates Alex Agius Saliba, Josiane Cutajar and Cyrus Engerer, who have already held more than a dozen such events altogether. 

“I asked for a quotation for a similar set-up, including audio and video facilities, and I was quoted the price of €6,500,” Agius said on Facebook. 

“I was somewhat surprised when I was told certain Labour candidates had organised at least 10 such events. We hear these candidates often saying it is ‘Malta first’ for them, but I suspect there are others around them who will expect their share well before Malta and the Maltese,” Agius said. 

The PN candidate, who is a spokesperson for EP president Antonio Tajani, said that he has been hosting his events inside local council meeting rooms and band clubs, describing himself as one of the “candidates without millionaire patrons”. 

Malta’s expenses rules during elections remain controversial despite recent party financing laws to regulate the disclosure of donations to parties. They are now allowed to spend up to a maximum of €50,000.

In 2009, one PN candidate had admitted exceeding the legal limit for personal campaign expenditure by a staggering €30,000. 
Maltese electoral law stipulates a maximum limit of Lm600 (€1,300) per district in a general election, or €18,170 when applied to the European parliamentary elections – when Malta and Gozo are considered one single district. 
Demicoli had admitted to having spent over €58,000 on his personal campaign: more than triple the permissible amount. 

Candidates must take a public oath when declaring their expenses, but those that breach the limit generally do not submit the declarations themselves. 

When independent candidates Emmy Bezzina and far-rightist Norman Lowell filed a judicial protest on the matter,  the Electoral Commission appeared completely unfazed by the implications that well-heeled individuals could simply secure their place in the European parliament through illegal campaign funding.  “There is no scheduled meeting to discuss the matter,” Joseph Calleja had told MaltaToday, adding that the issue does not fall within the Commission’s competence.