Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia does not think the PN will lose another election.
“I believe this country is going through a very difficult period, and there will be a time when people have to think and decide about the future, the future of the next generations, that of their own children. I believe that the Nationalist Party, with all the preparations it is undergoing and placing the pieces back together, will be prepared to provide an alternative government,” he said this morning.
Delia was being interviewed by Illum journalist Albert Gauci Cunningham, who brought up the subject of the PN losing one election after another.
In the 2019 MEP and local council elections saw a dip in votes in usual PN leaning districts. For the PN the MEP elections were the party’s worst ever loss, with the party losing the majority in localities such as Valletta and Siggiewi, where usually the PN rules. In most recent surveys, statistics show that fewer voters are willing to vote for Delia. Gauci Cunningham asked Delia whether this shows that the Maltese and Gozitans are losing faith in the Opposition Leader.
In reply, Delia said that the Labour government was basing economic growth on surplus and bringing more people in to work. "As the government made more money, all their mistakes were swept under the carpet,” Delia said.
He explained that currently the Opposition is working hard to ensure that the PN moves closer to the people, to be ready to serve them and not command them. He said that he wants the Nationalist Party to be strong and have the right attitude to help people. “Our country’s reputation is shattered because of the government and we are working hard to ensure that we provide the people with an alternative and the right choice.”
He explained that currently the country is facing a period of transition, during which time the Opposition must change, build and grow. “This does not happen overnight and results are not provided overnight, but we are growing and continue to work on opportunities for the people, especially after COVID-19. We have a Prime Minister who is telling people to go out and spend money and go back to work; an option which not everyone can do; but the Nationalists are sitting and listening to people, we want to invest in other sectors and help our citizens.”
Gauci Cunningham also asked regarding rumours that Delia hired a Chief of Staff whilst other employees in Dar Centrali have a 10% reduction on their wage. “I’m not like Joseph Muscat, with a chief of staff. I simply have two people employed to work in the Opposition Leader’s office; one person who takes care of the diary and another who takes care of the office.”
Discussing on the current COVID-19 situation, Delia said that the Nationalist Party has taken a stand to follow what Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci says. “In this situation, the most important thing is that we follow science, and those who have the knowledge to explain to us what is best to do for our public’s health,” said Delia.
When asked why the Nationalist Party has criticised that the easing of restrictions has happened too quickly, Delia said that this situation is not about politics but about the health and safety of the population. “It is the health authorities who come up with the advice and regulations, not the government. It is annoying when we have the health authorities and our Health Minster saying one thing, and the Prime Minister saying another. Minister Fearne said we need to be careful for the second wave, whilst Prime Minister says that there are only waves in the ocean.”
He said that Professor Gauci is not part of the government, but she stands for the public. “Our stand is very clear, that we stick by the advice of the Superintendent and her team. We believe that Gauci should take the decisions on restrictions and that the government must follow."
On the topic of when the airport should re-open, Delia said that the economy and health do not work against each other. “Once again, the opening of the airport is not the decision for the Prime Minister to make, but it is a decision of the Health Authorities. If I were prime minister, I would follow by this, that it is something that the Superintendent must decide.”