Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said today, in reaction to a question by this newsroom following the Leo Brincat vote in the European Parliament, that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has managed to successfully unite everyone against him due to his inaction during the Panama Papers scandal.
He was asked by this newsroom, during his visit to the Palumbo Shipyard, for his reaction to PL supporters saying that PN MEPs went against the national interest by voting down the nomination of Leo Brincat to the European Court of Auditors.
"The reality is that it is the fault of those who decided to send a person associated with the scandal of secret companies in Panama."
"The Prime Minister caused a lot of damage yesterday when government said that Leo Brincat's nomination will continue through to the Council. I appeal to the Prime Minister to stop tarnishing Malta's name". He said that the Prime Minister will create a problem within the EU institutions if he pushes ahead with the nomination.
He offered the Opposition's assistance in finding a candidate for the post. "I assure you, I will use all my influence in the EU for that person to pass through".
"Yesterday's vote against Leo Brincat was clear, and it was not only the EPP who felt that way, and the vote against included Greens, Socialists, Liberals etc."
He visited the Palumbo Shipyards today, and said that this was the first time the head of the PN ever toured the facility.
"The PN's heart lies with the workers," he said while congratulating Palumbo for the investment they made.
He said that in the past, the facility used to be paid for by public funds, yet nowadays the shiplyard contributed to the economy through taxes.
"The maritime sector must remain an important sector of society," he said.
Dr Busuttil was also asked about problem facing Palumbo, where residents are complaining about noise, dust etc. "Part of the privatisation process is that this company can invest in high environmental standards, and these should be the highest standards so that residents are not inconvenienced by the industry. Before being privatised, this industry was incapable of such investment".
"One must find a balance between commercial interests, the interests of their workers, and the interests of the residents".
PL reaction
In reaction, the Labour Party said that Simon Busuttil is working against the interest of residents in the South of Malta, after Dr Busuttil “had nothing to say about the inconvenience faced by Cottonera residents caused by Palumbo”.
The PL argued that this goes hand in hand with the PN’s stand on the Freeport, “to the detriment of Birzebbugia residents”. They also said that Dr Busuttil is against the change over to utilise gas for energy, “meaning that he is not only against clean air but is also in favour of the Marsa power station to be used”.