The Malta Independent 25 April 2024, Thursday
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Watch: We will make sure mistakes like Panama will never happen again - Joseph Muscat

Julian Bonnici Thursday, 25 May 2017, 19:07 Last update: about 8 years ago

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told voters who criticise him for his handling of the Panama Papers scandal that a PL-led government will be introducing measures that will ensure the same mistakes do not happen.

Speaking in Siggiewi, he went on to say that the electorate would realise the correct decision to make on 3 June by weighing what is good and what is bad between the two parties.

"On one side you have a government that has admitted they have made mistakes, on the other you have someone who thinks they're perfect and only sees the difference between the rich and the poor."

He claimed that PN Leader Simon Busuttil had a sense of superiority over everyone and "viewed the people as ants."

The PL Leader repeated the tag-line 'a coalition of confusion' when referring to differing positions within the Forza Nazzjonali, namely spring hunting.

Marlene Farrugia and Simon Busuttil have both stated that they support the result of the referendum.

"The only thing they have in common is their vendetta against me. They will create an unstable government with a one seat majority."

He said that this would create a real danger for jobs in the financial sector.

"This is the real fear, a government that does not take decisions; an unstable government born out of a lie."

Dr Muscat then said that contrary to Dr Busuttil's protestations the Labour Party's manifesto was built on principles; social mobility, social justice, equality, and unity.

"The opposition only talks about corruption, but what happened under the previous administration, they could write books on the corruption that took place. We made mistakes and I took action, with ministers too. They never did."

Turning to the Labour Party's electoral manifesto, Dr Muscat said that it was not only the large scale projects, such as 700 million euro pledge to repair all the roads in Malta, but also the small proposals which will benefit families.

"The use of tracksuits instead of uniforms at school will help families. For every baby that is born we will plant a tree. Whoever adopts an animal from the sanctuary will get 150e. We will pay for students to learn a language abroad."

He then criticised PN proposals, claiming that some were copied from PL.

"They want to allow 16 year olds to vote in local council. They already voted in 2015. We want them to vote in the MEP and general elections"

With regards to the 5c reduction in fuel, the PM said that his government managed to bring stable prices, and under a nationalist government it will increase when the circumstances change.

Photos and Video by Paul Jones


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