Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Saturday that the latest election campaign billboard which included journalist Manuel Delia has been removed and replaced.

The billboard, which read ‘Bernard il-wiċċ tal-Passat’ (Bernard the face of the past), showed Bernard Grech seemingly isolated in front of the PN’s HQ, with the faces of PN figures such as Beppe Fenech Adami, Joseph Ellis, Karol Aquilina and Jason Azzopardi behind him.

Manuel Delia, who had an internal role within Austin Gatt’s ministry when the PN were last in government a decade ago and has since become a blogger and journalist, was  one of the faces on the billboard.

During a press conference about the FATF grey listing, The Malta Independent asked the Labour government on this billboard as to why a journalist was included, referring to the fact vthat the last time one appeared on a billboard - Daphne Caruana Galizia - she had been murdered.

Abela said that the billboard has been replaced with a new one, with an important message.

He explained that the billboard now features the proposal found in the PN's manifesto regarding housing rent subsidies.

Abela said that the government implemented a reform that offers peace of mind to many families which ensures that they have a roof over their heads. On the other hand, the PN would do the opposite as “its telling people that in three years time, you might end up without a roof over your head.”

This would affect over 10,000 families, Abela said.

Meanwhile, Malta has suspended applications from Russians and Belarussians looking to buy a Maltese passport due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Abela disagreed that this suspension confirms that the scheme is a dangerous one and that it sheds a negative light on Malta,

“I do not agree with the fact that the suspension shows that this scheme is a dangerous one. On the contrary, it continues to confirm the robost due diligence system we have in place,” Abela said.

“Our decision was a natural and automatic one considering what’s going on. This also goes to show the importance that the government gives to Malta’s due diligence,” Abela said.

Earlier this week, Abela pledged that a Labour government will be increasing teachers’ salaries substantially as part of a widespread investment in the education sector.

Asked on whether the government believes that this specific increase on one profession might affect other professionals who might ask for a wage increase, Abela said that there are a number of collective agreements that are expiring or are about to expire in various other sectors.

“We are going through the same process as we are doing with the teaching profession. We are discussing the matter with the respective unions which represent the sectors in order to give them the conditions they deserve,” Abela said.

Asked on whether he could provide a specific amount as to how much the pay for teachers will increase, Abela said that it would not be prudent to comment on this matter because this must stem from the discussions that take place.

Discussions on the renegotiation of the collective agreement, which is expected to expire in December 2022, are ongoing, Abela said.