Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said that Prime Minister Robert Abela’s government has brought ‘modern slaves’ into the country, and has failed to create a plan for them, and a plan for the Maltese population.

Grech addressed a Nationalist Party mass meeting in Valletta on Wednesday, on the eve of Independence Day. He said that Abela wants to increase the population to the predicted 800,000 as soon as possible.

He said that Abela has become a serious threat to democracy, and under his government, justice does not prevail, but rather he and those close to him do all they can to cling to the seat of power, as “they cannot afford to go into the Opposition.”

European Parliament President and PN MEP Roberta Metsola also addressed the meeting, sharing her hopes for the country’s future.

Grech said that the PN’s vision for the country stems from the population being as capable as any other country, as it was capable of becoming independent.

“I am proud to be the leader of this party, a party with a great history, with honourable leaders and politicians,” Grech said, addressing all former PN leaders who inspired Grech, namely George Borg Olivier, Eddie Fenech Adami, Lawrence Gonzi, Simon Busuttil and Adrian Delia.

Grech turned to the audience and said that they attended because they have understood that the country is going through a time where the public needs to gather against the theft and corruption in “the dirty leadership which took over Castille.”

He said that the Labour government was born amidst fraud and theft, and Abela’s government looked at the disabled and vulnerable people as an opportunity to steal votes.

He continued that Labour has also put suspicion on genuine individuals, by committing fraud and falsifying doctor’s signatures in the disability benefits scheme racket.

“If I had to ask, how many of you, in the past years, have suffered, or are suffering from injustices? How many of you were entitled to receive something but did not receive it?” Grech asked, adding that under Abela’s government, justice cannot be found, unless one gives themselves up so that Abela can continue doing what he wants.

Grech said that Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa is failing at doing his job well, and that there is seemingly one law for the Gods, and one for animals.

Grech spoke about the declining health sector, the Steward Health Care contract, high cost of living, an economy based on cheap labour and quantity instead of quality, which Abela “brings from outside of Europe without security for them or their employers.”

“Our vision is different. We believe in a quality economy with modern industries, which pay well and have high standards. Those who work and employ can aspire for better jobs and better pay, we want incentives for studying, and a vision for dignity for everyone,” Grech said.

Grech said Abela’s government did not uphold many promises, such as the Gozo to Malta tunnel, as well as the metro and a state-of-the-art hospital instead of St Lukes.

He urged Abela to shoulder responsibility for his government’s shortcomings, adding that the PN in government promises a better quality of life for everyone.

President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola meanwhile said that she believed that politics can still be used as a tool for change, and good.

Metsola said that the biggest lesson she has learnt is that politics is a force to do good with, to give direction, and to make important decisions.

She said that the decisions which led to Malta gaining Independence and, later, European Union membership were not decisions of the moment, but ones which looked at the future of the country.

Metsola said that she wants to see a better Malta, a stable and prosperous Malta, where systems work well, and things are done right.

“We want a Malta where disability is not an obstacle, as what’s important is that you are capable, and that society helps you reach that capacity,” Metsola said.

She continued that women should not be victims of domestic violence in Malta, and wants to see more women in decision-making positions.

“We want a Malta where the citizenship which Gorg Borg Olivier worked for is not for sale, where we fight corruption, even by example, and not find excuses to cover it,” she said.

Metsola said that justice in Malta should not wait years, such as in the Jean Paul Sofia, Daphne Caruana Galizia and Sion Grech cases.

“What future do we want for our country? What is our vision? We want excellence in all we do in Malta, higher standards… mediocrity must be unacceptable,” Metsola said.

She said that the PN is in politics because it wants the best for the country. Metsola said that the economy must put money in the pockets of the many, and not in the few.

“We are capable of creating and entering new sectors. The size of our country is an advantage, not an excuse for mediocrity,” Metsola said.

She said that youths should be trained into a culture of entrepreneurship and with the mentality that anyone can start a business and succeed.

Metsola said that the economy environment must facilitate for those who want to invest with less bureaucracy and one where value comes from the idea, not from who you know.

She mentioned the nation’s waste problem, the electricity grid, and said that there needs to be serious planning and good decisions, along with an infrastructure which anticipated the country’s needs.

Metsola said that currently, there is no excellence in the country, and there needs to be a long-term plan.

“We want to give hope to people. We have lots to do for the country. But we must ever, ever give up, or abandon everything. We must create a better future for an independent Malta,” Metsola said.

She said that we are still in time, and said that politicians are not all the same, as the PN stops at abuse and sees that justice is done.

“You too can be part of this chance, by raising your voices, involve yourselves and make contact with us. This is a party that wants to listen to everyone. Let us start a national conversation where we all participate, to create a better future for an independent and a European Malta,” Metsola said.

Metsola asked for the nation’s support on 8 June of next year during the MEP elections.

PN Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione and PN Secretary General Michael Piccinino also addressed the mass meeting.