Prime Minister Robert Abela on Monday would not give a straight answer as to whether he agreed or disagreed with Labour MEP Alfred Sant’s suggestion that people should not be called up again to show their solidarity with Joseph Muscat, who is accused of criminal offences.

Last Tuesday, hundreds turned up in Valletta to protest as Muscat was being charged in connection with the inquiry into the hospitals’ deal. Three public hospitals were passed on to be run by private companies in a deal which was rescinded by the Maltese courts.

Writing on The Malta Independent, Sant said “carrying it (the show of solidarity) forward during the coming weeks makes no sense and can do no good.”

Asked whether he agreed with Sant, Abela replied that the people had gathered in Valletta in a peaceful way. They all maintained calm and did not fall to any provocation (even though there was none) Abela said.

He added that this showed maturity as everyone was allowed to express an opinion. There had been criticism as to why people were told to gather in Valletta, he said, but the right to protest or show solidarity is given by the Constitution, so long as this is done within the limits of what is acceptable.

The overarching issue is now to let the institutions work. “I do not know if there is something else planned” when Muscat returns to the dock,” he said.