Anti-Lisbon party obtains EU recognition and funding

MEPs from mainstream parties downplayed the development. They even saw advantages of the move, in that Libertas would now be less able to stay in the shadows as it had done so far. 

UK Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff (ALDE), who is ALDE's constitutional affairs spokesperson, observed that the Eurosceptic ranks had become more crowded following the emergence of Libertas as a player in the European elections. 

"The emergence of Libertas makes the anti-European terrain even more congested than it already is. I hope they don't all choke each other to death," said Duff. 

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) is resigned to the prospect of Declan Ganley's Libertas movement will receive a share of EU taxpayers' money to fight the European elections following the decision by the European Parliament to allocate the new party €200,000, a press release reads. 

"We live in a pan-European democracy," said Graham Watson MEP, ALDE group leader. "All creeds and colours should be tolerated as long as they comply with the rules laid down on party funding [...] The market for Eurosceptic voices is becoming increasingly competitive, but the presence of Libertas may well raise public interest in the European elections and force pro-Europeans to be bolder and better organised in their presentation and defence of the EU and its latest treaty reform," Watson further states. 

Marian Harkin MEP (Ireland, Independent), saw nothing 'scandalous' about Libertas's accession to the pan-European scene. "If they meet the criteria then they, like any other political party, should be able to access funding according to the rules," said Harkin.