The news that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat will be addressing a political activity organised by an MEP candidate fuels speculation that Muscat is planning a return to politics.

The idea that Muscat makes a political comeback through his candidature for the European Parliament elections was initially sparked by former PL president Manuel Cuschieri a few weeks back, with Muscat later choosing to be non-committal on the subject.

"I cannot say what will happen. It was not on my priority list because nowadays I have my own private practice but on the other hand, I cannot ignore the people. My friend Manwel Cuschieri put spokes in my wheel, in a friendly way obviously," he had told MaltaToday at the time.

But, after his wife Michelle recently said that the decision about Muscat’s return rests on the Labour Party, the former PM’s presence at Agius Saliba’s event on Saturday reignited the speculation.

Muscat is expected to address the event in Pjazza Tritoni, and it will be the first time that he will speak publicly after his resignation in January 2020 following the developments related to the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. The last time Muscat addressed a crowd of supporters was his farewell speech at the Labour Party congress (photo) which saw him relinquish his position to Ronbert Abela.

Ministers Ian Borg and Silvio Schembri as also set to address the gathering on Saturday.

Cuschieri is urging his listeners to attend Saturday's rally to support and encourage Muscat in view of the question he had asked in January about Muscat’s possible candidacy. "Your presence would be a message to Joseph Muscat, also in the interests of the Labour Party," Cuschieri said.

Muscat was elected as an MEP in the first election held in 2004, but resigned in 2008 to become Labour Party leader.