Leader of the Partit Demokratiku (PD) Marlene Farrugia attended a debate this evening on PBS between representatives of the two main parties (she forms part of the PNPD coalition) with a flag of the formerly branded Malta Labour Party, and placed it directly in front of her throughout the debate.

She proudly exclaimed that she comes from parents who were “Mintuffjani”, meaning that they were staunch supporters of former Labour Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, and that she was there to represent all those who genuinely care for Malta. She also added that this was a message for genuine Labour supporters to join the coalition.

Dr Farrugia also coined a new term for what she called the so-called Labour Party: ‘Panama-Labour’.

The debate was between Dr Farrugia, PN family and social solidarity spokesperson Clyde Puli, Labour MP Silvio Schembri and Civil Liberties, Social Solidarity and Consumer Affairs Minister Helena Dalli.

The two sides, in typical political-debate fashion, pushed every opportunity to ridicule their opponent while also highlight any form of legislation (from PL officials) or proposals (from PNPD officials).

Curiously, Labour MP Silvio Schembri asked Mr Puli and Dr Farrugia to condemn a comment made by some unknown hard-line supporter, possibly on social media, who said he wishes for PL supporters’ children to fall ill with cancer.

Apart from the fact that Mr Puli and Dr Farrugia are parents themselves, all politicians from both sides of the divide would condemn such a deplorable statement, a question that springs to mind is why bring up the social media comment when hardliners from both PL and PN have said such atrocities and will continue to do so?

Minister Helena Dalli took the time to call out comments made on the social media page of ForzaNazzjonali against dancer Felix Busuttil something for speaking at a PL rally.

Asked by presenter Mario Micallef, she confirmed that abortion is not on the agenda for the PL, and with regards euthanasia:

“This government is open to discussion and taking action based on that discussion.”

Mr Puli said that Minister Dalli has not credibility to speak about what is on the PL’s agenda when the citizenship-by-investment scheme or having companies in Panama weren’t on the agenda either, but they still came to fruition.

Asked about the PN’s stance on abortion, he said the PN is categorically against because it “respects life from beginning to end,” adding that the same goes for euthanasia. He said a discussion must be had on how to improve palliative care.

He blasted the Minister Dalli for speaking about equality, saying this is where she has failed most.

He called her out for defending Labour MP Joe Debono Grech after he threatened to assault Dr Farrugia while she was still a Labour MP, adding that she will probably defend those commenting against Dr Godfrey Farrugia for following his wife into PD.

He also asked the PL to stop using homosexual rights in order to distract whenever the party finds itself in hot water.

Minister Dalli hit back by questioning where notoriously ultra-conservative PN candidate Josie Muscat stands on the PN’s pledge to legalise gay marriage.

She highlighted an increase in the minimum wage, and the fact that there will be a commission that reports directly to the Prime Minister and make recommendations for when this should again be raised.

A proposal of the PN which would make it legal for parents to call in sick when their child is sick has been taken onboard by the PL, Minister Dalli revealed.

Mr Puli said the surplus is actually of corruption, commissions and greed. He said that the economy is going well because of the previous PN government who attracted the financial services sector, gaming, low-cost airlines, cruise-liners and pharmaceuticals.

Mr Schembri stressed that, as is evident from the Opposition’s interventions, it is filled with negativity. He said that Malta’s reputation is being tarnished because of the PN and its MEPs who are making false accusations, and especially because of blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia. He also questioned the ability of the PN when it makes simply mathematical errors when presenting proposals and their accompanying costs.

Dr Farrugia said the choice for the upcoming election is between a genuine love for Malta and the so-called Labour Party (PL), or as she called it: Panama-Labour.

“This is the most corrupt government in the history of Malta. When speaking about corruption, it means that they are stealing from you, stealing opportunities. The choice is between a national force and a government that had the most women in precarious working conditions, a government that increased public debt by €1 billion, not because of any new capital projects, but because of waste and greed.”

She slammed the government for selling off public assets such as Karen Grech hospital, Enemalta and Gozo general hospital.