Martin raises stakes in presidential contest

Date: 31/10/01

PRESIDENTIAL candidate David Martin has branded rival Pat Cox as "too inexperienced" for the European Parliament's top post.

He told European Voice: "I'm not saying he's not capable. He is very able and likeable and he's got wide experience of being a political group leader. But, in my opinion, he hasn't got the experience to be Parliament's president."

Martin claims that Liberal Cox could be "tied" by the deal his party struck in 1999 with the centre-right European People's Party. This ensured Nicole Fontaine, the current president, would get their vote - on the understanding that the EPP would return the favour when her term ended. "He is really a product of a deal between the Liberals and EPP and could be beholden to them during his presidency whereas I would not be in any way bound," declared the Socialist. His comments show that the stakes are rising in what, so far, has been a low-key contest.

Presidential candidate David Martin has branded rival Pat Cox as 'too inexperienced' for the European Parliament's top post.