The PN message during the official European and local council election launch is a “strong” one that “we can make a difference,” according to PN leader Adrian Delia.

“Government will not change in May, but we can change the direction it is going in. We are not going to dissolve the government but we can fight against the arrogance of the government that does not want to listen,” Delia continued.

He said that the PN is not going to change overnight but is going to make the first steps to offer a serious opposition for the country.

The people who are doing well, need to be shown how to keep on doing well without corruption, Delia said, adding also that those not doing well, need to be shown that the PN will also be there for them.

Delia also said that the socialist party no longer represents those who are suffering and the vulnerable. The PN, on the other hand, believes in a society that cares.

Presenting the 10 MEP candidates, Delia said that these people have joined the PN to be close to the people, to be a voice for those who cannot be heard, “they have offered their service for our country.”

Reports have shown that democracy is under threat, Delia said, but the government ignores them. Malta’s reputation does not only affect the government, or the people in government, but also the people, especially those who want to invest in our country.

Delia mentioned a number of proposals he said were put forward by the PN, including those for farmers, sustainability, the environment and cancer. “There are solutions if we work together, not only as the Nationalist Party but as a country.”

Whilst development is important for the country, the development needs to have a plan, Delia said. He continued to add that development does not mean we have to lose our identity.

Treading on a sensitive subject, Delia said it is good to accept visitors to our country, but not as slaves. They need to get a decent wage, not only for themselves but also not to put in a trap Maltese youths and workers.

“The MEPs will be defending our country outside Malta, to get investments and funds, and to fight for laws which will eventually become our laws. They will defend our country, but they will not defend a government that does not care.”

The local councillors will also be making a difference in their locality, Delia said. Where the PN has a majority, they will show how to govern, and where they are in minority they will put forward a serious opposition, one that also proposes.

 

295 local council candidates for the PN - Clyde Puli

PN Secretary General Clyde Puli also announced on Monday evening that the PN will put forward 295 local council candidates. He also said that the nominations for MEP and local council candidates closed tonight and that this will be the start of the campaign.

The PN slogan for this campaign is “Together for our Country,” Puli noted, adding that welfare needs to be for everyone and not just the few.

Of the 259 local council candidates, 155 have never served as local councillors, Puli pointed out. He also said that 28 per cent are women and 23 per cent are youths, with one candidate being just 16 years old.

In this speech, he touched on a number of issues including what he said were unjust low wages due to the cheap labour being imported. He also mentioned the issue of immigration saying the PN is ready to propose a number of solutions.

Puli also mentioned corruption by this government that, he noted, cost Malta €725 million per year.

Puli took a dig at the PN billboard spelling mistake saying that at least the mistake was an orthographical one and not turning the million dollar surplus into a deficit, deceiving everyone.

He also said the electoral manifesto will be launched this Sunday in an extraordinary General Council.