Holding a moment of silence for those migrants who lost their lives when their boat capsized off Lampedusa today, Dr Muscat questioned how many more people have to fall victim to the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life in Europe before action is taken by the EU.

Speaking at a political activity, Dr Muscat said that there is finally a choice in European Commission President candidate Martin Schulz for more to be done at European level on migration.

“Martin Schulz has a plan to save and protect people, a clear system of legal migration. Those wanting to enter Europe can apply to do so. We can give them rights. But not everyone will be accepted, we will accept as many people as possible. The burden will be shared between all 28 countries,” he said.

Those fed up of the current situation should go out and vote he said, as staying at home on the 24 May will not change anything.

In retort to the PN’s accusation that government backbenchers are earning one million between them during this legislature, Dr Muscat refuted the claim and said that Opposition leader Simon Busuttil benefitted from one and a half million in direct orders alone.

Referring to a Eurobarometer survey, Dr Muscat said that 70% of the Maltese population believe that the country’s economic prospects are improving. It is only Dr Busuttil who has not recognised this, he said.

He said that the government has yet to break a single promise. Oil prices have gone up he said, but the government kept to its pledge of reducing energy tariffs.

He called the government introduction of free childcare as a historic achievement, with an average family saving €10, 000 over three years.

Chair of the Socialist group in the European Parliament Hannes Swoboda implored people to go out and vote for Labour EP candidates.

“Vote Labour to change Europe,” he said.