Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said Wednesday that the European Parliament’s Eurobarometer (Parlemeter) for 2023 has confirmed that the country is at a ‘crossroads.’

Speaking in an interview on NET FM, Grech reiterated what he said last Sunday during the PN’s general council, that the country is at a crossroads, and the earlier published Eurobarometer has confirmed this, as 50% of Maltese believe that the country is moving in the wrong direction, a significant increase from the previous study. Only 28% believe that it is moving in the right direction.

Grech said that the country finds itself in a delicate moment, where if important decisions are not taken immediately, with courage and responsibility, then the country will move backwards.

“People’s reaction to the survey – they say that it is true, and they feel it in their skin. Public services have regressed, congested roads and declining quality of life for everyone. Government has abandoned investment towards the upkeep of the country,” Grech said.

He said that there are problems “wherever you look,” and mentioned the Auditor General’s report on the “invented job” former Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar was recently scrutinised for, confirming that those in power can “pig out” and do what they like, while citizens are being affected.

Grech said that government is not doing anything while citizens struggle to keep up with their lives, as well as higher prices. Even those in the middle-class have been feeling the pressure of higher prices, he said.

“In all aspects, the people feel that they are regressing, which means wise decisions must be taken with seriousness. We were pushing government, and Robert Abela to help, but it is evident that he is tired, fed up of governing, and dry from ideas,” Grech said, adding that government uses the same solutions to address any arising problems.

He said that under a PN government, government would make these decisions, and implement them well, as the PL government takes ideas from the PN and does not implement them well.

“We are obliged to convince the public that it must choose a new government, and look at the PN as the alternative, as the only hope people have,” Grech said. He reiterated the three motions which were presented last Sunday.

Grech said that a PN government would ensure that the economy continues to grow, and not at the expense of a lower quality of life for citizens. A PN government will create more quality jobs with better salaries than is offered by the current government, “most of which is cheap labour,” Grech said.

He said that a PN government would attract good foreign investment rather than fake ones – mentioning those who “built a phantom University,” and those who “took the public’s hospitals.”

Grech accused this government of being full of problems and scandals, and cannot govern in the people’s interests. He said that politics needs integrity, and the politician must be free, and for the country to move forward, there must be investment in all sectors.

Next Sunday, the PN will be organising fundraising activities for further political work, and Grech encouraged people to give donations.

“Each donation is a political and financial message of support to continue our work. I invite everyone to be part of the success we are creating together,” Grech said, adding that the PN as a party has been moving forward, and its audience has increased.