Prime Minister Robert Abela told Labour Party supporters not to fall for provocation, and to keep the calm, while addressing a mass meeting in St George's Square in Valletta, on the occasion of Workers' Day.
His comments came a day after it was revealed in court that the Vitals magisterial inquiry concluded at the end of April, and that it was sent to the Attorney General.
While telling supporters that they cannot take for granted what the government has achieved over the past years, he said that from the first sign that the PL movement would be losing strength "the other side will double their force to hinder the country from moving forward." He said that two years ago "when we won the election with the biggest gap in history, they didn't stop. They became more arrogant. They started using repulsive, shameless tactics, that even before they didn't used to use. Their desperation for power continued to grow, and they are ready to do anything."
"But let me be clear, and let me make a clear and important appeal. Do not fall for provocation." He warned that there shouldn't be a single person to "fall for provocation. Keep calm. We answer firmly, but calmly, with tranquility and serenity. We answer them by not letting them take over the country and make it only their own again. Firm but calm... calm, but we don't forget."
He made no direct reference to the Vitals inquiry, but his comments are taken as a thinly veiled reference to it, as he has been outspoken and highly critical about the timing of the inquiry's conclusion in recent days. On Tuesday he said that the magistrate chose to conclude her report on the same day that the call for nominations for the EP and local council elections opened. This and other comments he made over the past weeks, such as him telling the judiciary not to commit 'political terrorism', led to him being under fire for making such comments.
During his speech on Wednesday, Abela went on to say that the 'others' tries and are still trying "to deny the country from EU funds. Imagine what would happen in the EU institutions if instead of MEPs fighting in favour of Malta, there would be those who place their personal career advancement and their own power first. You need to vote for the PL and all its candidates not only because you want to stop the Nationalist Party, but because we remain the best force for progress in this country."
"We never said that we were perfect, but we built on what was good, and where there was need for change or improvement, that is what we did."
Since being elected Prime Minister, he said they haven't stopped working to move the country forward. "We enacted major reforms. I gave up powers that no prime minister before me had the courage to do. We reformed and strengthened democracy. That does not mean that I will allow those trying to destabilise the country succeed. I have a duty to look at the wide interests of the country and that is what I will continue doing in the coming weeks and months, as long as you continue giving me your trust."
On the 8th of June, he said, the MEP and local council elections will be held.
Referring to localities, he said: "We have ideas for every town and village to continue improving people's quality of life. We are implementing projects in every corner of Malta and Gozo, in the most urban zones where we identified, and will continue to identify, land that will become open and green space instead of being built up."
"To those who are still skeptical, ask what difference local councils make in people's lives. Ask those families who benefitted from free education organized by local councils. Ask the elderly person who, since a council day centre opened its doors, found the courage to fight against solitude. Ask the people involved in the voluntary sector, who receive so much support from our councils."
He said that the difference between the Labour movement, and "those who are still pulling the strings from behind the PN, is that the PN does not fear the people's judgement."
He said that "what we believe in and do in Malta, we believe in and also do in Europe and wherever we represent our country around the world." He said that his government put Malta first and foremost before anything else. "We always did so without any compromise."
"Others, he said, stumble when Europe speaks about the support we are giving on energy and tells us that we need to stop. We promise that this support will remain."
"Since we have been in government, the country benefitted more from the fruit of EU membership," he said. Abela said that 100% of EU funds allocated were used. "Funds that strengthened infrastructure," he said.
"Our country will remain a main promoter of peace. I can never rest on the good we did when I know that so many people are dying behind our door (...) we can never rest when we know that there are so many people around us taking up arms against each other. We will work with all our strength to bring the different sides round the table and we must use the tools of diplomacy. Our policy was, is and will remain peace."
Abela said that "in the coming weeks, while around Europe there are people who are crushed with burdens, here in Malta you will see increases. For workers in the public sector, increases in wages, for pensioners increases in pensions, for parents with children who continue studying in post-secondary education €500 a year for three years. We introduced carer's leave, we introduced parental leave, we increased paternity leave. Others took away your public holidays, we gave them all back to you. We increased the children's allowance, others in government had reduced it."