Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil urged people to join the PN in forming a coalition against corruption, "a coalition between people of good will who do not turn a blind eye to corruption".

Dr Busuttil was addressing a political activity at the Floriana Granaries, ahead of Independence Day, called "Politicians you can trust".

"Corruption is bad, and government is making a mistake by closing their eyes to it, sweeping it under the carpet. I am not the only one saying this, everyone is. Recently, Transparency International published a message. 'Malta needs to clean up its corruption mess before it heads the Council of the European Union next year'. The whole world is looking at this government's corruption".

"The solution to a corrupt government, is an alternative government that puts the fight against corruption at the forefront, and by overcoming corruption can put the needs of the people first," Dr Busuttil said.

Salvu Mallia's presence here yesterday sent a strong and clear message, he said, "that he (Mr Mallia) is ready to join the PN as he sees the PN as the only alternative to overcome this problem. I welcome Mr Mallia's message and I call anyone who have the will, like him, to join the PN and overcome this challenge".

He gave examples of what the PN would do to fight corruption.

Dr Busuttil pledged to run a government where ministers follow the highest possible standards, where no minister would have a secret company in Panama. "That no minister will have a conflict of interest, and I don't accept that any minister will bring their wife, husband, children or parents into government work".

He said that the PN will introduce a system where the highest positions in the country, from the President downwards will be chosen through a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

He also pledged to clean up the police force and the armed forces from partisan politics, "so that these crucial corps, so crucial to Malta's security, will be there to serve the people and not protect those who are corrupt".

He said that the PN would strengthen the offices of the Auditor General and the Ombudsman, pledging that a PN government would tie themselves to abiding by their decisions. He also spoke about increasing the powers of the Ombudsman, giving him the power to investigate corruption.

Turning to PBS, he said that the PN would again give it autonomy and not insult the peoples intelligence. It should be independent, and not controlled by government, he said.

He stressed that making proposals is not enough, and one must earn the trust of the people. "I know that one must work in order to earn trust, and I am ready to work for it. I do not expect anything, I only await that you give me the chance to persuade you and win your vote. If I persuade you that I am honest, that I am a person of integrity, then vote for the PN. You already trusted me when we were voting whether to enter or remain out of the EU, and I ask you to join me again to fight against corruption and clean up the political system once and for all".

He mentioned the vote against Leo Brincat's nomination, saying that this was because he associated himself with the Panama scandal by closing his eyes the

Panama corruption. Everyone in the EU Parliament voted against him, resulting in giving a bad name for Malta. I insist, that the Prime Minister respect the EU Parliament vote, the most democratically elected institution in the EU. They spoke, with an absolute majority, saying no. Accept their decision, as if you do not, then you will not only lead a corrupt government, but an anti-democratic one. Whoever does not respect the EU Parliament's decision is anti-democratic.

"Our solution is simple", he said.  Our priority is to lead an alternative government that cleans up corruption".

The meeting was also addressed by PN Secretary General Rosette Thake.

She said that as a united team, in the upcoming election, all candidates will pull the same rope. “If we are not capable of pulling the same rope we will not succeed. I have no doubt that these new candidates know this, and we, together, will managed to give this country a government that it deserves, one led by Dr Busuttil”.

Short videos of each new candidate were also shown, introducing the candidates to the nation, right before they were given a few minutes to speak.

Mary Bezzina, a nurse, said she has a larger contribution to give to the country. She said that in her practice she meets persons in “difficult situations, persons who are excluded from society, vulnerable persons suffering from sickness, and so I must look at these people with dignity. We must help them by working to the common good, working for social justice. I believe in the PN’s vision of honest politics, and this is why I believe Simon Busuttil will help us lead the country together”.

Doris Borg, a former teacher and pensioner, thanked Dr Busuttil and the PN executive for the trust they have placed in her. Coming from Xghajra, she said that up until recently, she worked in primary schools. “I worked for children to make progress, and thank God, this aim was reached. It was reached as I always believed in the participation of parents, and I always believed they must play an important role in their children’s education.

Jean Pierre Debono, said he has been active for many years in the PN, and believes in their values. He is the Assistant Secretary General of the PN, and believes that the Maltese people should have the best of everything. He spoke of the need for a clear vision, saying that only one person, Simon Busuttil, can give Malta that vision. “Together we will work to build policies based on good. When Dr Busuttil speaks about honest and clean politics... everyone should have a country where everyone can achieve success. Today, only a few achieve success, as they are close to the Prime Minister”.

Dr Joe Ellis, a lawyer in Malta and Gozo, said it was not easy for him to take the dive, and become a candidate for the upcoming elections. “I feel it is important for Malta to have leadership based on transparency, that has a clear vision for the future. I believe these are elements that are missing in the current administration”.

“We are living in the past,” he said mentioning the current government, saying that Malta is not looking to the future. “I fear Malta will not be ready for problems which might crop up. I worry about Gozo. Gozo is a society that is where it always has been. The population is reducing and the economy is not consistently doing as well as Malta. In face Gozo’s economic growth has been less than Malta over the past few years and as a result a number of Gozitans are moving elsewhere for work”.

Ian Vassallo said that he was involved in the Rabat local council. “I want to be a protagonist, to strengthen healthcare and education, fight against corruption, and to ensure that youths have a voice. The PN believes in the individual, and not who one knows”.

Stanley Zammit, an engineer, said that he believes in voluntary work. “Through this, a number of values are drummed into you. Such values include providing a service without taking anything back. On one side we see the PL, who are meant to drill such vales into society, yet instead we see that we are led by people who lost every sense of principle, solidarity, honesty and meritocracy”.

Concluding the event, Dr Busuttil again took the stand and said that whenever the election comes, the PN would be ready for it and would win. “This is why we are strengthening the party. I urge you to reflect on the more human and personal aspect, of these people deciding to contest the election? The answer is not easy. They have a million reasons to say no, such as the worry and stress, with everyone asking for something, and people insulting them. Even more so, we must admire people contesting under the PN ticket as we are in the opposition. You must be a person who has a sense of duty, who wants to stand up and be counted. You must be a person of principle”.

He said that by attacking the PN, government is strengthening the opposition, as “it is a sign we are on the right road. I appreciate the work and sacrifice these candidates have chosen to undertake”.

“I didn’t go into to politics knowing that I would win an election, but I came in when the party was facing a very difficult time, and this is what these candidates are doing. It will be an upward battle, and there are those who will try and break you, like bullies”.

“But there is one way to beat a bully, by showing them that you are not afraid of them”.

Photos by Jonathan Borg