Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil today expressed his support for a debate between Partit Demokratiku Leader Marlene Farrugia and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in Zurrieq.

Dr Farrugia challenged the Prime Minister to a debate after he announced that he would be contesting in the 5th district, the PD leader’s home district.

Speaking after of MaltaPost’s offices in Qormi, Dr Busuttil said that he had waited three years for Dr Muscat to accept his offer for a debate and would not expect him to accept Dr Farrugia's proposal.

In the last election Dr Farrugia garnered with 2,525 first count votes as a Labour MP, but she resigned from the party in November 2015 and later launched a new party which is now part of a coalition with the PN known as Forza Nazzjonali.

Dr Busuttil said that Maltapost was a leading example in how privatisation can be beneficial to everyone.

‘We have long championed diversification in the economy, in sectors that people never thought was possible, like aviation, the gaming sector, and the financial services sector’.

He also urged the Prime Minister to appear before the PANA committee to answer questions related to the Panama Papers scandal. But Joseph Muscat has already turned down the offer, saying he will only testify after the end of the inquiry.

Dr Busuttil said that Muscat must give answers because the country’s reputation is at stake.

The PM has been summoned to appear before the PANA committee on 18 May.

Public Holidays 

The  Leader of the Opposition also responded to questions concerning his position of Joseph Muscat's proposal which would see public holidays that fall on weekends be compensated to employees.

He criticized Dr Muscat for attempting to 'buy votes' and for imposing a proposal which employers are staunchly against.

The GRTU and Chamber of Commerce have criticized the proposal, while the General Workers Union have spoken in favour.

Dr Busuttil said that he would wait for social partners to discuss the issue and come out with a proposal that benefits everyone, much like what happened with minimum wage.