Italy says Parliament reshuffle 'unacceptable'

"The members of the European Parliament represent the citizens of the Union. The redistribution of seats based on the number of residents, rather than citizens, is contrary to the spirit of the treaty and is therefore unacceptable," Italian Europe Minister Emma Bonino stated last week.

But Liberal MEP and shadow rapporteur on the Treaty, Andrew Duff, said that "it would be folly for the heads of government to question the considered decision of MEPs on this matter, as governments left to their own devices are hardly likely to be able to reach unanimity on any alternative proposal."

In a related development, Maltese MEPs Simon Busuttil and David Casa (EPP-ED)  expressed "surprise and disbelief" at comments made by Romano Prodi in an Italian newspaper regarding Malta's generous treatment under the new seating proposal. "And what about Malta! 6 MEPs like Slovenia! How can this be?," Prodi was quoted as saying. 

In a statement, the two MEPs said Prodi should have known better and "got his facts wrong on at least three counts." "Malta 's six seats are already in the Reform Treaty and the European Constitution, both of which establish a minimum threshold of six seats", the MEPs noted. "He is also wrong on Slovenia, which was allocated 8 seats, not 6, and is therefore not on the same level as Malta." they said.