Opposition Leader Bernard Grech on Tuesday said Prime Minister Robert Abela had unfairly criticised the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola to gain political advantage before showing double standards and speaking in favour of her retaining her position.

For that reason, Grech said he expected an apology, going on to highlight how Abela was wrong in saying that he protected Malta's neutrality as well blasting him for voting in favour of EU defence investment after calling the PN warmongers.

Grech said he believes that through their vote in the last EP elections, the Maltese people spoke clearly of the vision of the EU that the PN birthed, despite those who attempted to undermine it. He said that from a European lens, this goes to prove how much Malta belongs in the European Union and the European Union belongs in Malta.

Grech said that he is aware of the limitations of an island state and, with experience. He said that the country should tap into the EU market more but pointed out that this doesn't only require an effort from Malta's part, but collaboration with our fellow member states.

Grech said that their challenge is to address the ambitions of the Maltese and turn them into opportunities. He added that this point was raised in the summit and Malta must make an effort at the EU level to increase competitivity and unwaveringly stick to the EU aims for climate change, even if it is not ideal due to lack of government success. He stressed that Europe should be the first climate-neutral continent without leaving anyone behind.

Grech said that one shouldn't only believe in the opportunities of the EU but it is necessary to also talk about them abroad and vice versa. He lamented that the other side of Parliament doesn't think in this way, following previous "hypocritical" attacks on the Metsola. He went on to point out that the Prime Minister mentioned many foreign leaders in his previous address but not Metsola and said that Abela is "afraid of her."

Grech went on to demand an apology from the Prime Minister, in Robert Metsola's name, for the acts of disrespect towards her. He said that if Abela truly believes in the position Metsola will continue to occupy, then all that Abela said against her was for political gain.

Grech reminded that the Labour government attacked the PN as it was part of the EPP Party at the EU level, which was in favour for investment in defence, yet following the blasting by the government, the Prime Minister ended up voting in favour of such investment. Furthermore, he pointed out that Abela's claims of defending Malta's neutrality were not true since that was done by the PN 20 years ago.

In conclusion, Grech called for authentic, honest politics towards the Maltese, without saying one thing locally and another abroad.