Young European Federalists Malta (JEF) recently organised a launch event for its European Parliament Elections Campaign titled “This Year, Your Europe.” It was attended by two local MEPs as well as a considerable number of candidates running for the upcoming MEP elections. JEF Malta’s vision for the upcoming elections was unveiled and its programme presented.

The first event, the announcement of which was met with great enthusiasm, was to be a Kick-Off Leaders’ Debate to be held on the 26th of February between Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat, Opposition Leader Dr Simon Busuttil and Professor Arnold Cassola, Chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika.

JEF said that “as of January 10th, all three speakers had confirmed their participation and stated that they would inform this organisation if any other, more pressing issues cropped up. Through such a debate, JEF Malta hopes to draw on the Dr. Muscat’s, Dr.Busuttil’s and Professor Cassola’s experiences of the European Parliament in order to contextualize the importance of the upcoming MEP elections.”

When callling to confirm participation, JEF Malta said that it was “informed, a mere three weeks before the booked date, that the Prime Minister would not be able to attend as he will be overseas. Thereupon, JEF Malta has been working tirelessly to reschedule the event with both Alternattiva Demokratika and the Partit Nazzjonalista willing to cooperate. As of Monday 3rd February, no information has been forthcoming from the Office of the Prime Minister.”

JEF Malta added that “regrettably, it cannot deliver on its promise of a Leaders’ Debate so far, as stated at its launch event, although it shall endeavour to work with all parties concerned to set a new date for the debate.”

Young European Federalists (JEF) is a supranational, political movement active in over 35 European countries which brings together around 30,000 members at local, regional, national and European level. European youths in this organization share a vision of a united and democratic Europe.

JEF Malta is a member of the European Youth Forum and the Union of European Federalists, having close ties with the European Movement International. JEF Malta is also a member of KNZ (Kunsill Nazzjonali taz-Zghazagh), KSU (Kunsill Studenti Universitarji), European Movement Malta and the Euro-Med Youth Platform.

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