‘I Joseph Muscat, have nothing to be afraid of’
● Prime Minister says Malta to stop using heavy fuel oil today
Prime Minister and Labour Leader Joseph Muscat yesterday insisted that he had nothing to be afraid of in the ongoing Egrant saga and insisted that the latest political turmoil would strengthen the PL.
Dr Muscat was making the closing speech at the Labour Party’s Annual General Meeting in Ħamrun.
As expected, the speech focused on the allegations, by journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia that Egrant, the third Panama company, belongs to his wife Michelle. The PM and his wife vehemently deny the claims and have sued the journalist for libel.
Addressing the party faithful at the party headquarters, Dr Muscat thanked Leader of the Nationalist Party Simon Busuttil for what has happened in the past week.
“I want to thank Simon Busuttil,” he said, “as what has happened in the past week has turned people closer to this movement. In the past few days people have contacted me, who were not sure about voting, and now, after this week want to support us and vote.” Dr Muscat added that “what Simon Busuttil thinks will be in his favour, has worked against him.”
Dr Muscat said that last week’s allegations was a sign that the Dr Busuttil “is taking big measures because he is desperate,” and swaying away from “focusing on how he can help the lives of people,” “he is not reasoning as a politician,” he said.
He said the PN protest, which took place yesterday afternoon, was based on allegations without proof. “I, Joseph Muscat, have nothing to be afraid of, for one reason,” he said, “because I am saying the truth,” mentioning that the magistrate to investigate the case “was not chosen by [him].”
“A rose is going to form which is going to make us stronger,” he said, to a cheering crowd, “people know the truth is on our side, and we are on the side of the truth.” “In front of God,” he repeated three times, “I will continue to say the truth, and the more they say against us, the stronger we will become.”
Speaking about electoral pledges from the past election, Dr Muscat announced that Malta will stop using heavy fuel oil to generate electricity as from today, when the gas-fired turbines will start to function. Using gas to provide cleaner energy was pledged by the Party in the last general election in 2013. “The cancer factory will be closed for good,” he said, saying that turning pledges into a reality is what made the Labour Party credible.
After listing the work that the government has done over the past four years in an animated speech to sporadic bursts of applause, Dr Muscat concluded that the party will continue to “work with serenity.” “I know we have defects, but our heart beats in the right place,” he said, adding that “the only coalition this government wants is with the Maltese and Gozitan population.”
Dr Muscat’s speech brought the Party’s Annual General Meeting to a close. Prior to the speech, other Party members and candidates for the coming general election addressed the audience. The speeches were watched by Dr Muscat and Mrs Muscat from further back in the auditorium, where they took their place amongst party supporters.
Member of European Parliament (MEP) Miriam Dalli’s speech revolved around the “values of the party.”
“We have the responsibility to continue what we have been building for the past four years,” she said, “we will push forward to better the lives of people,” mentioning the work the government has done in the past four years to decrease poverty.’ “We don’t care about power like power-hungry Simon Busuttil,” she said, “we care about making lives of people better.”
Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis, addressing the role of Michelle Muscat to the country, thanked Mrs Muscat for “the work she is doing. We will all keep our serenity, we won’t let it be ruined,” he said. “It was a week of trials, and we have passed it with flying colours, stronger and more united.”
In an energized speech, new Labour candidate Jean Claude Micallef, running for the third district in the coming elections, told the crowd present at the Labour Headquarters pledged that, if elected, the South of Malta will “not only be a region providing energy but will also be an engine for healthy air and the promotion of an active, sporty lifestyle.” He harked back to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s word that “love is the basis that pushes us forward,” and commented that during the turmoil, “against Daphne Caruana Galizia and Simon Busuttil … we will come out of it “with courage and faith.”
Ex-Super one journalist Julia Farrugia running for the fifth district also spoke at the Labour Party Annual General Meeting. Other speakers included No Portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi and Labour MP Luciano Busuttil.