Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said today that through the Constitutional Court's decision giving two more seats in Parliament to the PN, justice has been served for the Maltese and Gozitan people who "for three years were deprived of two seats for the PN in Parliament".
"The Court said that the vote counting mistake broke the fundamental right to a free election which respects the will of the voters. The remedy it gave was for the PN to be given two more seats in Parliament within a month. This is the second time the Courts have judged that there was a breach of fundamental rights in this case".
In his first reaction, Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil welcomed the decision by the courts, “even though we have been waiting three years to reach justice. With two more seats in Parliament, we will have a stronger voice for the Maltese people in Parliament”.
The PN condemned government for “doing everything possible to hold a larger majority than it deserved in Parliament for three years”.
“Since the beginning, Dr Muscat had said he was ready to deny voters from that which they have a right to”.
"The PN is not surprised that Joseph Muscat is again going to appeal, to continue doing everything possible to deny voters from two more Parliamentary representatives. This confirms that eve basic democracy is threatened by government”.
“The appeal that will be filed by the Prime Minister will anger people, who have waited for justice for three years, however it will strengthen the PN’s determination to see honest politics win over Joseph Muscat’s political style”.
Dr Busuttil explained how the 146-page sentence by Madam Justice Lorraine Schembri Orland says that the mistake broke the fundamental right to a free and fair election.
“These are two seats which we shall use to further strengthen the voice we give to the Maltese public”, Dr Busuttil said adding a condemnation to the PL government for “doing everything in their power to lengthen proceedings” which ultimately deny the voters, particularly of the 8th and 13th district their right to representation.
“Joseph Muscat used a style of politics which showed that he was ready to deny people the most basic right in a democracy.”
Dr Busuttil dedicated the victory to “every person who suffered because of the mistake and the time taken to correct it.” He also specifically thanked the team of lawyers who have fought tirelessly for this verdict, led by Dr Paul Borg Olivier.
In reaction to Toni Abela’s comments implying that the sentence is unconstitutional, Dr Busuttil said that once again, the government has taken facts and turned them upside down. “Comments like these will be ignored because that’s what they merit.”
In comments to the media, Dr Busuttil said that it is clear that the Prime Minister is afraid of the PN in Opposition and will do everything in his power to continue to deny further representation. He also hopes that, while he respects the government’s right to appeal the sentence, that it will be heard urgently and with no further procrastination, as it deserves.