Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today that he kept Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri in their places in spite of the Panama Papers scandal because he needed them for special projects the government was carrying out.
Without mentioning their names specifically, the Prime Minister said that some people might not have agreed with him in this decision, but he felt that although mistakes were committed, the choice was for continuity.
He also attacked Labour's former whip Godfrey Farrugia, who indicated that Labour intended to legalise abortion, which is not the case.
Speaking in Mqabba, Dr Muscat said he would address this speech to those who are not affiliated with any particular political party. He said that the public knows that it is thanks to the PL decisions that the country enjoys such an economic success. Dr Muscat said that the decisions taken by this government have allowed for everyone to work and grow. “We have helped establish a new middle class. For the first time, people can feel that they are moving forward. They feel that they can provide for the future of their children.”
Dr Muscat said that the coalition of confusion cannot deliver. The crowd booed and Dr Muscat reiterated what he already said in previous mass meetings, “don’t boo, vote!” Prime Minister Joseph Muscat entered the stage accompanied by his wife Michelle, and his daughters. They were both wearing a shirt saying “my mum is super.” At various stages during the meeting, the PM urged the public to go to vote early.
The Prime Minister said that all the investment which was brought by this government can end up being lost in just two weeks if the country votes Labour out. “We need to decide if we want a government with a one-seat majority, or a strong government which can guarantee work.” He said a PN one-seat majority will mean that for every decision, the leader would need to negotiate.
Dr Muscat said that the PN is working with who is interested in harming Malta. “They are politically desperate. But they do not look ahead.”
“Whatever happens, there is one golden rule – never speak against your own country,” he said.
Prime Minister Musat said that while the Labour government has tried to get as much work as possible, the PN tries to scare them off. He said Simon Busuttil has called on people to protest based on a lie. “The calumny against me, is a lie against you all,” he told the crowd.
“If Busuttil believes that he can risk the stability of the economy without shouldering responsibility, he is showing that he is not worthy of leading this country.”
Yet again, Dr Muscat challenged Dr Busuttil to resign if the inquiry proves that the allegations made against the PM were false. He pledges to resign if the inquiry links Egrant to him or any member of his family.
“Simon Busuttil has to pay the price for lying against me, against my family and against you all,” he shouted.
He referred to the Panama Papers scandal and said that he needed to take certain decisions and keep certain people on board because they were taking care of very important projects.
He was referring to OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri and No Portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi, who were caught having opened companies in Panama. Both were retained by the PM in their position, although Mizzi lost the title of Energy Minister and instead remained as a minister under the PM.
Dr Muscat said he learned from his mistakes and paid the political price and is willing to make changes. “We are not elitists and we don’t look at you from above. I am one of you and I too make mistakes.”
“At 43 years of age, I lived most of my life under a PN government. I agreed on some things and disagreed on many, but I never felt that I had to tarnish our country’s reputation. So I call on all of you, to show everyone that Malta comes first, before anything else.”
“Those who do not love our country, cannot lead the country. Let’s all wave our Maltese flag. Let’s show that there is no flag more important than this.”
Dr Muscat insisted that his government has very clear and costed proposals and that the choice is clear. “This is only the beginning,” he said while adding that the plan for the next legislature is superior.
He said that the cost of the proposals by the PN is unrealistic and would need to take drastic measures to keep the country afloat. Warned that a PN government would lead the country under the excessive deficit procedure, which means that the EU would dictate the country’s expenditure. “He would destroy the new middle class. The PN has a sense of superiority. They use you and then throw you away.”
He thanked the youths and especially the University students for showing where their heart truly lies. “I am proud of you, and so is the country.”
Dr Muscat said that the coalition of confusion is a conservative group which tries to invent lies. “They tried to invent the lie that PL will introduce abortion in an attempt not to advance IVF.” He said that more than 60 people were born thanks to this measure. He was referring to an interview given by former Labour whip Godfrey Farrugia, who said that the way the PM is acting shows that he has plans to legalise abortion.
He said the PL government wants to help every couple to have a child if it is biologically not possible. That is why, PL is proposing 10,000 euros for those who wish to adopt. “We will not give you 10,000 euros to go live in Gozo, but we will help couples to become parents.”
Dr Muscat said he is going to the Attorney General and look into the BWSC case which was revealed earlier by the PL media. The report states that George Pullicino changed environmental law to allow the BWSC extension.
The first speaker to kick start Labour mass meeting was lawyer John Bonello. Visibly excited, Dr Bonello said that he would have never imagined addressing a Labour Party meeting. He said he chose to address the people because the country is at cross roads and the electorate needs to make a decision.
Dr Bonello is a former member of the Nationalist Party. For eight years he served as international secretary. “I always thought that Joseph Muscat promised too much, but now I realise he delivered.”
As an adjudicator on the Small Claims Tribunal, Dr Bonello had angered the Nationalist Party with “partisan” comments on the social media.
He said right after the election, he went to the court to fight for two more seats for the PN. “I thought that with Simon Busuttil, things would move forward,” he said while the public booed. “You are right, because I soon realised I was wrong. The PN has become much worse than the GonziPN.”
Dr Bonello said the PN has wasted the last four years throwing mud, both locally and abroad. He said Simon Busuttil first called on the public to protest because of Egrant, but now he is not ready to shoulder responsibility. “I would not be surprised if they invent another lie. Because they know how to lie, believe me,” he said in a high-pitched voice.
“How can you not believe in Joseph Muscat, when he always delivered what he promised,” he added. He said his message it to all those PN supporters who realised that Simon Busuttil is not able to lead. “I call on the PN supporters who no longer want politics which divide. Let’s not lose what we have gained.”
“I know Simon Busuttil, and I know the people that surround him. He promised me a lot of things, but failed to deliver. Liar!”