The upcoming election is not an election between political parties, but an election to choose those candidates who are going to represent our country, Nationalist Party Leader Adrian Delia said on Sunday.

Speaking at a General Council meeting, Delia said that the Nationalist Party has always believed in the abilities of the Maltese and Gozitans, describing how they fought for independence because "we believed that we could be the owners of our own destiny without depending on foreign influence."

Delia took a jab at the mention of reproductive rights in the European Socialists' manifesto, insisting that it is our obligation to protect life from the very beginning.

"The Socialist Party agreed that there must be the right to choice before the right to life."

Delia guaranteed that they will protect life from conception till death.

In his speech, he touched upon the issues being raised in Malta's education sector, insisting that teachers do not have the urge to teach anymore, and said that the government has put Malta in a situation where there aren't enough teachers.

"We know that this government sees work only as a number, like the surplus and GDP, and imports slavery and foreigners from outside the EU, to live and work in conditions that are less than decent."

He said that the government favours big business with multi-million-euro direct orders.

Malta's reputation was also taking a hit, he insisted, criticizing the Government for stomping over the good reputation created by the Nationalist Party, resulting in criticism through reports such as the Moneyval and Greco reports.

Focusing on the EU, Delia maintains that we must not only take, but also contribute "because we believe that Europe makes a difference in our country, but that we are also capable of making a difference in Europe." The elections for the Labour Party, he insists, are just a sprint to see what the easiest way to buy a person's vote is.

"This is the question we should ask - who is it that we should send out of Malta to bring new ideas and defend our country?"

EPP Leader and EC President Candidate - Manfred Weber

European Commission President hopeful from the European People's Party Manfred Weber was present for the General Council, explaining that he came to see the Maltese perspective for Europe.

He praised David Casa for his work in the area of social issues, and Roberta Metsola on immigration - insisting that there is no need for Socialists for a social Europe.

"It is not a question of big or small countries, South and North, East and West but only Europeans that we fight for."

Weber noted that he is from the first generation of Europeans that can live in peace and freedom, and said that it is a historic achievement that we can be proud of.

"This was made by Christian democrats - we made the first move to a unified Europe."

He pushed for a reform of the EU to up it to a level that can deal with today's challenges, maintaining that the EPP is a party of solidarity.

Touching on migration, he said that this was not only an issue for those in the South of Europe, but that everybody must take responsibility for migration management.

"A precondition for the whole discussion of migration is that we win back the control of our borders - The state decides who arrives in Europe and not smugglers."

Weber proposed the combining of research capacity and data in the EU, and the creation of a master plan to fight against cancer.

"The EU has the capacity to cure such a disease if we join forces."

He propped up the "European way of life" - democracy, rule of law, independence of the judiciary, equal treatment of men and women, and a social-market economy.

"The EPP is the founding party of todays' Europe."

PN MEP Candidates

Peter Agius thanked the Nationalist party for welcoming him into their family and putting their trust in him over the last seven months.

"I've learnt what people expect of us - that they expect a lot from the Nationalist Party."

He insisted that it was PN that was capable of evolving, and solving the problems in the country, adding that there is a need for MEPs that advance the causes of society.

"We need to adapt the EU to Malta - the EU is like a glove - it must fit us right, not too tight or loose, and with this hand we will bring more advantages for our children, more work, traineeships and the ability to study abroad."

Roselyn Borg Knight described how her father always taught her that in difficult times, one must not stay at home and keep worrying - but go out and work harder - "and this is what I am doing" she said.

"I spoke on many subjects, that hit many people, because a campaign must be inclusive and hit everyone, that reaches the aspirations of both men and women. I believe in equality not only in law but also in society."

"That is how we win this election, speaking for everyone, by keeping on working for the rule of law, and working together for our country."

Dione Borg explained that the EU finds itself at a cross roads.

"The EU needs to take important decisions about the direction it is going, and the country must make extraordinary decisions on the direction we're heading in."

He criticized the government for creating a materialistic society based only on money, and one that has corruption as one of its pillars.

"We want the EU to be closer to the people, through them feeling that the EU is truly increasing their quality of life."

Borg insisted that it was important to mention the "large problem this country has with the influx of foreigners that are changing the social fabric of the country".

"The EU has an obligation to be close to communities where this is happening."

He encouraged the implementation of a proper integration process to help the Maltese people keep their culture and values.

Michael Briguglio said that he will continue working for social justice and the environment as he has done in the last 25 years.

He spoke of how he wrote to the EU commission about the DB land sale, and the storing of private information.

"Malta is not for sale."

"Big brother is watching you."

David Casa insisted that "Malta is not Konrad Mizzi and his friends", and "Malta is not Joseph Muscat".

"If there is someone in Malta who is thinking of leaving, and hoping to have a high post in Brussels, I am going to make sure he does not get any position."

He clarified that he wants Maltese people to be in the EU institutions, but Maltese people that believe in Democracy and EU values.

"Together in the EU we will work to clean Malta's political system - to know more about 17 black, for an independent investigation on the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia so that the truth is revealed"

Michael Mercieca said that "we have to work to acquire every vote from those who are skeptical about the party and the country - we must explain to them that this is a party built on solid foundations."

Roberta Metsola said that the Nationalist party must be one that is recognized as authentic and unique.

"It was us that worked hard to join the EU - others, try as much as they can, can never say the same thing - it can only remain the party with an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth mentality."

She celebrated that mothers have given birth to children who are both Maltese and European, and encouraged all to be agents of change.

"With this manifesto we continue writing history for our country."

Frank Psaila expressed how proud he was of being by Adrian Delia's side for this past year and a half.

"As an MEP I will keep strengthening peoples voices - the farmer who didn't take all the advantages from the EU, the Gozitan who remained a second class citizens, students and the self-employed, and the hunters and trappers who should enjoy the same rights their foreign counterparts are."

David Stellini encouraged everyone to make a collective agreement to fight for our rights because it is in our personal interests.

"The upcoming election is a manifestation of the power of we"

Francis Zammit Dimech said that one of the largest priorities is a European masterplan to pull our resources together to beat cancer.

He also noted issues of rule of law and democracy. "In these circumstances the EU parliament is one of, and may be the biggest institution left to defend the Maltese people, and that is why it is crucial that as one team we go and try to get, not only the best result for the PN, but the best result for Malta."