Robert Abela is ‘living in a parallel reality’, the country ‘is in crisis’ — Bernard Grech
Prime Minister Robert Abela “is living in a reality that only exists in his head – a parallel reality he has put us in,” Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said during a political event on Sunday.
Grech said that the Nationalist Party is focused on helping people and on improving their lives – “something that the Prime Minister cannot relate to as he is misdirected and has put himself in a corner alone.”
The PN leader stated that Abela has cornered himself through the decisions he has made. “People are not defined by their words, but by the actions they take during difficult times,” he said. “[Abela] can choose to either help others or continue grappling with power.”
While speaking about the Prime Minister in the wake of the conclusion of the Vitals magisterial inquiry, Grech said that the country and government is currently in crisis, despite Abela’s claims that this is untrue.
The Opposition leader made reference to former Deputy Prime Minister Fearne’s recent resignation, a protest by university students in solidarity with the judiciary, condemnations by university academics, and statements by the Chamber of Commerce and other associations, NGOs, and social partners.
“We are in such a crisis that even our President felt compelled to speak,” Grech said, before proceeding to say that Abela is living in a parallel reality, “a reality he has put us in.”
Grech said that this is the same reality through which Abela and his government voted against the interests of Jean Paul Sofia’s family when they didn’t want to open a public inquiry into Sofia’s tragic death.
He said that after that controversial vote, Abela could not even look at Sofia’s family, and similarly, “he can’t look at [the public] now as he is only focused on his own interests.”
While sharing his Mother’s Day greetings, Bernard Grech took a moment to pay respects to Isabelle Bonnici, Sofia’s mother.
“She showed us how powerful the strength of a mother is,” he said. “She was ready to keep fighting in the face of everything.” He described how she had to endure humiliation attempts, insults, threats, and bribery attempts before thanking her for her hard work.
“Thank you, Isabelle, for you have taught us to be more perseverant,” Grech added.
The Nationalist Party leader then shifted his speech to say that amidst the Labour Party’s current political crisis, “They are so lost in the problems that exist between them that they are forgetting about us, about you and about our mental health too.”
In this regard, Grech described how a meeting about mental health between the PN and government was cancelled earlier this week, citing that it shall remain on the shelf “until they receive direction.”
Bernard Grech also made reference to a Facebook post published by Prof. Andrew Azzopardi, the Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, on the country’s healthcare situation.
Azzopardi wrote about “the real deal” on local healthcare, saying that the country still lacks an adequate mental health hospital; that there are never-ending waiting times at the emergency room; that there is chaos within the CDAU; that morale is low for hospital workers; that there are problems in the prosthesis department; that there are problems in giving early interventions; that there are long delays for hip and knee operations and in general; that clinic outpatients and follow-up visits are being scheduled for even later on; that there are long waiting times for CT-scans; that bed capacity is struggling; that professionals are overworked; that people are seeking private healthcare simply to avoid long waiting times; that there are inferior quality medicines; that there is a lack of professionals
in certain areas; and that three faculties practically have no space, despite being based at what is supposed to be a teaching hospital.
Prof. Azzopardi ended his social media post by stating that “the theft of the people’s money is a direct attack on people’s quality of life” while questioning how
some can be shocked that the failed hospitals deal and theft is a direct attack on people’s lives.
In agreement with Prof. Azzopardi’s message, Bernard Grech told listeners that this is what the Nationalist Party is being informed about, regarding people’s experiences with public healthcare.
“This is the reality we are living through in our country,” Grech said.
He mentioned the €400 million that the government spent through the Vitals-Steward deal before stating that “they don’t want us to keep working to try and get the people’s €400 million back.” Grech then stressed that the Nationalist Party will not be giving up this fight.
“No one is going to stop us from getting back the people’s money, as no one stopped us from reclaiming the three hospitals,” he stated.
Grech then condemned Abela once again for not abiding by European Union standards.
“He is telling you that politicians in Malta must not abide by European standards, because according to Robert Abela, this land is not a true European land, it is a land where unethical politicians can continue to do what they want,” Grech said.
Grech concluded his speech by inviting everyone to attend the PN’s protest on Monday at 6pm in front of Parliament to voice their frustrations against the handling of this hospitals deal, as well as the Prime Minister’s recent comments attacking the judiciary, journalists, and what he referred to as “the establishment.”