Malta Referendum Swung By EU Funds, Says Pressure Group

by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels

09 May 2003

The European Ombudsman has rejected a complaint from the anti-federalist pressure group, The European Alliance for EU-critical Movements, that the European Commission unduly influenced the result of the referendum by actively supporting the 'yes' campaign.

The group, which is more commonly known by the acronym TEAM (The European Anti-Maastricht Alliance), alleges that the Commission funded the 'yes' campaign to the tune of EUR750,000 whilst seemingly ignoring the 'no' campaign. The organisation also objected to advertisements taken out in the Maltese press by the Commission urging the electorate to vote for EU accession.

Commenting on the issue, Henrik Dahlsson, Secretary General of TEAM said recently: "In our view, the Commission has no legal right to favour the Yes-side and actively advocate a Yes-vote. To spend money for such a purpose has not been authorised."

Nikiforos Diamandouros, the Ombudsman responded by saying he is not entitled to deal with the complaint, and an administrative approach should have been made in first instance to the European Commission.

"The complaint must be preceded by the appropriate administrative approaches to the institutions and bodies concerned," the Ombudsman's statement said, continuing: After a careful examination of your complaint, it appears that this condition is not met, because you do not appear to have made any administrative approaches to the European Commission in relation to the subject matter of your complaint."

Dahlsson meanwhile, has confirmed that his organisation will be taking the matter up with the Commission despite considering the Ombudsman's decision rather incredible.

"It is quite remarkable that the Ombudsman asks TEAM to contact the Commission, which is the offender in the matter," said Dahl. "How can the Ombudsman expect the Commission to be the judge and jury in its own case?"

Recommended