Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil announced that his party's mission is to clean up Malta's poltical system - which in turn will lead to a victory. He said that cleaning up politics requires "honest politics," the platform upon which the PN has rebuilt itself.
“There is nothing better than honesty, because when building on honesty, you are building strong foundations.”
Dr Busuttil slammed Prime Minister Joseph Muscat for his speech against corruption during the Commonwealth meeting in London. Dr Busutil stressed how the Prime Minister said he had to make tough political decisions – where the Opposition Leader questioned what decisions Dr Muscat was referring to.
“Konrad Mizzi is still a Cabinet Minister, Keith Schembri is still there,” he said as the crowd cheered loudly.
No-portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff were both found to have a trust and a company in New Zealand and the financially secretive jurisdiction of Panama. He went on to criticise the lack of honestly within the current administration, adding that this will have negative consequences on Malta's economy.
He further blasted the Prime Minister for allowing so much to be spent on summits and official events such CHOGM, and at the same time increase the rent for those living in social housing. He questioned why the Prime Minister would place such a burden on vulnerable people while spending so much on other things. He also spoke about the environment, stating that Malta needs honest politics so that we can protect the environment so that generations to come can enjoy what the island has to offer.
He made reference to the numerous scandals which characterised the current administration’s tenure – and said that these scandals illustrated the need for honest politics.
Another goal which Dr Busuttil sought to achieve when taking up the post of Opposition leader is the reorganisation of the PN. He said that the number of young and new people who have joined the PN over the last three years is testament to this. Dr Busuttil also said that the number of woman playing an active and infinitely important role within the party shows that the PN has been going through a revolution.
“Reorganising the party’s media house was another priority for us. There has been a great jump in quality and we will continue to work.”
He spoke of the PN’s loan scheme, which has received heavy criticism from the Labour Party due to the lack of transparency with regard to the identity of donors. He said that the respectable rate of interest, the professional contract being offered to lenders and the fact that the scheme is 100% in line with the law calls into question the PL’s criticism, he said.
“The PL has spoken about the loan scheme so much that we actually have queues of people lining up to take part,” he quipped.
Dr Busuttil asked the public to give him a chance to “work as much as I can possibly can to win your vote. If you feel that I have not worked hard enough – do not vote for me. If you do feel that I have worked hard enough, place your trust in me because I am ready to push Malta forward.”
He slammed Transport Minister Joe Mizzi for not publishing a holistic report on the state of traffic in Malta and the way forward. “In Malta it is not the Government who published reports on solving traffic, but it is the Opposition.”
Dr Busuttil spoke about a Parliamentary Question put forward by PN MP Censu Galea about a call for expression published on the Government Gazzette relating to Salini, St Paul’s Bay. PN Leader said that the PQ confirmed how Mr Mizzi, “having failed to solve traffic, is now moving towards salt production.”
Dr Busuttil spoke briefly about what a difficult decision it was to take the helm of the Nationalist Party. He said that after the last general election, the “boat was not just sinking, but it was at the bottom of the ocean.”
He said the decision was difficult both personally and politically for obvious reasons.
“Threats, insults, attacks – the full works.”
“I said yes to this challenge. I did so because I felt a sense of duty. I wanted to be there for my country. I am saying all this because like I answered to Malta’s call for help, now you the public need to answer to Malta’s call for help.”
Dr Busuttil said that he wanted the PN to be a “what you see is what you get” party. From this thought, an idea emerged – ‘honest politics’ (politika onesta).
Nationalist Party Deputy Leader Beppe Fenech Adami questioned why Prime Minister Joseph Muscat continued to defend no-portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi and the PM’s chief of staff Keith Schembri when they have acted so unethically.
People are asking “why can’t Joseph Muscat rid himself of two people who will be the PL’s downfall?” he said.
He called Dr Muscat brazen for his speech against corruption in London during a Commonwealth meeting.
Dr Fenech Adami said that the Prime Minister’s treatment of the public is “incredible.” He said that the Prime Minister’s intimidation tactics such as trying to remove the political billboards will not work, and only serve to strengthen the PN’s resolve.
“The attack of Joseph Muscat continues. The Prime Minister continues to attack the PN – even though we have worked to improve both internally and externally. We will be entering into the next general election with the right tools to win the public’s trust.”
He compared the Prime Minister to an “octopus” at the bottom of the ocean. He said that like an octopus who has been backed into a crevice at the bottom of the ocean floor, he is squirting ink, trying to tarnish all around him in order to save himself and his party.
He said that numerous surveys have shown how the PN has come close to PL in the polls, adding that when the next general election comes around he is confident that people will place their trust in the PN.
“We need to continue to be a strong Opposition. An Opposition which makes suggestions, which offers an alternative. We need to help the vulnerable people of society – persons with disabilities, poor people, sick people, single mothers and all those in a difficult situation.”
“We are architects of a modern economy. We are not just the architects, but the workers who have built up the Malta we know today.”
“The PN is the natural choice of the people,” he concluded.
Shadow Minister for Health Claudette Buttigieg criticised Prime Minister Muscat for deceiving the public with his pre electoral promises. She said that the situation the country is in today is testament to Dr Muscat’s lack of honesty.
“Joe, looks like your luck is running out,” she concluded.
PN MP Kristy Debono drew comparisons with underdog British Football team Leicester winning the Premier League – and said that this outcome filled her with courage for the PN’s future.
She addressed the floating voters, stating that under the Leadership of Simon Busuttil the public knows where they stand.
President of the PN Executive Committee Anne Fenech spoke of the “tireless” work being undertaken by the party, both internally and externally.
She made reference to the loan scheme, stating that this idea came to fruition some time ago when certain persons expressed their desire to help the party.
“The loan is for €10,000 – payable over ten years with an interest rate of 4%. In this way, we will not have any form of obligation towards the donor – the terms of repayment are pre-determined through a professional contract.”
“Till the end of May we will be accepting lower amounts, upon request from certain individuals,” she said.
Dr Fenech slammed the Labour Party for criticising the PN’s loan scheme, in view of a previous contract the PL was offering, whereby people would lend the party money without receiving any interest.
Shadow Whip David Agius enthusiastically hit out at Dr Muscat for the role he had to play in how the Panama Papers scandal unfolded – making reference to Dr Muscat’s words during his Commonwealth address were he said that he “had” a government Minister mentioned in the scandal.
“Prime Minister, not you ‘had’ a Minister mentioned in the Panama Papers scandal, you have a Minister mentioned in the scandal. Konrad Mizzi is still a Cabinet Minister,” he said.
Treasurer of the Nationalist Party Alex Perici Calascione announced that the party’s controversial loan scheme (cedoli) was a big “success.”
He acknowledged that the PN’s launch of the loan scheme prompted a strong response from the Labour Party and other members of civil society, however he stated that it is perfectly in line with the law.
He stressed that it is shameful for “certain people,” referring to the PL, to call the scheme corrupt, when none of the money being lent to the PN has come from overseas and is all fully declared.
“The law is clear as to what kind of lending can and cannot happen. We are 100% in line with the law,” he concluded.
Labour Party Statement:
The Labour Party slammed Dr Busuttil for not offering any concrete proposals for the next two years, during his closing address at the Nationalist Party Annual General Council. In a statement issued today, they said:
“Last Sunday, Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said that while addressing the Nationalist Party General Council, which took place today, he would be giving his party’s vision for the next two years. Despite this, throughout a 45 minute speech which concluded the council meeting, Dr Busuttil did not mention one concrete proposal.
“During this General Council meeting, the working document on traffic was the only report to be presented. The report took seven months of work, only so that the PN, once elected to power, can say that they have a plan for the traffic situation. This plan is now being created by Transport Malta, and will be ready by the end of the year – in line with EU obligations.
“During today’s PN general council meeting, entitled ‘honest politics,’ there was no mention of action to be taken against the pool built on ODZ land – which belongs to Beppe Fenech Adami, against Mario de Marco who had works done on a property of his for free – having no choice but to eventually pay after the resignation of Adrian Hillman, against Francis Zammit Dimech and Ann Fenech who work for companies which open up accounts in Panama after they said that these accounts are only opened up for corrupt purposes, against Tonio Fenech who is the chairman of a company whose mother company is registered in BVI – however this was for nothing because no action was taken.
“We expected Dr Busuttil to remove the loan scheme, or at least publish the names of all those who are contributing. He has not even given a guarantee that contributors are not involved in the Panama Papers scandal, let alone publish the name of contributors.”
Photographs by Jonathan Borg