Prime Minister Joseph Muscat called PN Leader Simon Busuttil and PD Leader Marlene Farrugia “the most unstable couple in Maltese politics.”

He was addressing a mass meeting at the Trade Fair grounds in Naxxar this afternoon. 

This week, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat released a number of proposals relating to business, healthcare, the environment, transport and education. Dr Muscat is on the campaign trail, however is also under pressure both locally and internationally following allegations that his wife, Michelle, is the owner of Egrant, a company opened in Panama, and allegations that his Chief of Staff Keith Schembri took kickbacks for the sale of citizenship. 

Referring to the 3 June elections, he said that on one side there is a “coalition of confusion” with two captains. “The only thing uniting them is their hatred of me, however you cannot lead a country on hate alone. To lead a country, you must love your country, and not speak against it at every possible chance.”

Photos/Video Paul Jones

Dr Muscat has long criticised PN Leader Simon Busuttil for speaking to the international press and putting Malta in a negative light.

He said people who do such things love power and not their country. “Find me one moment, one word which I ever uttered against my country. There never was one and there never will be one, regardless of who is in government. Our patriotism is not relative and does not change depending on who leads.”

 “The coalition of confusion would have gotten rid of the one thing uniting them if they win, as I will step down if that’s the case. I am not tied down to the seat of power. Once they get rid of me, they would imprison me, they said. A ship with two captains will not  go anywhere. Problems will begin to become visible for them, and then problems will begin to surface for businesses as they will be in the hands of Simon Busuttil and Marlene Farrugia. Pensions will be in their hands, and the education of your children will be in their hands. The stability of the country will be in the hands of the most unstable couple in Maltese politics, who would break the economic miracle we have created.”

“They were not even able to handle a small calculation  for their pension proposals, making a mistake on basic mathematics. If you do not vote for this movement, it would not be a laughing matter like it is today, as pensions will be in their hands, your future would be in their hands.”

Dr Muscat acknowledged that there are people who might not want to vote as they would have expected better from this government on good governance and the environment. “If someone disappointed them, I urge them to vote for someone else in this movement. I guarantee that I understand these people, that we will learn from our mistakes and we will listen to the people on the environment and good governance.”

Dr Muscat praised the past years he has governed.

“It is clearer now than ever before, that this movement not only led this country forward, but that we have the best ideas to keep on this track. We know what the country needs, what families want, and the problems that businesses face. Our hands are on the pulse of this country," Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said.                        

He said that at first, government strengthened the economy and then began working to share the benefits with everyone.

Dr Muscat said that government truly wants to help those in need. “Today there is no doubt, that what we are proposing is realistic and can occur. That it is planned well and costed. There is no doubt that as how we kept our word over the past four years, we will again keep our word if we are re-elected to govern this country.”

The crowd then broke into “viva Labour” chants.

He said that as he saved Enemalta, he will keep his word on the future of Air Malta.

“As I kept my word removing medicines out of stock, I will keep my word and provide all cancer medication for free. As I kept my word when we attracted a medical school to Gozo, I will keep my word about a Gozo tunnel.”

The Prime Minister said he will keep his word on gay marriage and the racing track. 

Turning to the allegations that his wife, Michelle, owns Egrant, the PL Leader said: “they lied about me and my family. I asked for an independent inquiry that should reveal the truth. If there is the slightest truth that either my family or I have anything that is being said, I will resign instantly, even if it is after the election. I say this without fear as I know I am telling the truth. I urged the PN Leader to make the same promise, to say that he would resign if it is found that the basis of his argument is false. Simon Busuttil is afraid of this challenge. He is afraid as he knows he is lying and based everything off of this lie. He knows he muddied my name on lies.”

Dr Muscat said that history will remember Dr Busuttil as a scaremonger who is not capable of leading a country. “Those persons not ready to carry responsibility for what they say are not fit for purpose. A  Prime Minister must take decisions and carry responsibility. I carry the good and the bad, and that is the first principle of governance. Simon Busuttil is not ready to carry responsibility on what he said.”

“Wherever he is, I will ensure that he carries politician responsibility for this lie against the country. I am convinced people will choose the good, that they will not stop us halfway down the road.”

He said he will not allow anyone to divide the country between blue and red, north and south. He said the country is one with a white and red flag. 

Dr Muscat said that he is ready to put out his hand to unite the country and move the country forward. “For our children, for the workers and businessmen, for families, for pensioners, for those who truly love their country the best time is yet to come, as the best time for our country is yet to come.”

Felix Busuttil, Founder and Director of the YADA dance company took the stage at the start of the Labour mass meeting

Addressing the crowd, he spoke about civil rights.

He said that he is in favour of nobody being bullied, that nobody be kicked out of their home for being different.

He said that when going to Italy he and his partner Darren were asked about having the same surname, to which they replied that in Malta they can. The Italian person then said, “You are better off than us.”

“Joseph Muscat believes in justice, and Michelle is behind him. I cannot not be courageous like them. Joseph kept his word with me, and with many. He is a man who listens. His wife from seven miles away waves me down and comes over to speak to me. They remained a family with their feet planted on the ground.”

Do not fear diversity, he said, adding that if one is insulted do not fall to that level. “When they get low, we get high.”

“I believe in transparency, in this movement.” He said that this is the best time of his life.