Sociologist and civil society activist Michael Briguglio has confirmed he is weighing up an approach by the Nationalist Party to contest next year’s European Parliament elections. 

“I was approached by the PN, but I haven’t taken a decision yet,” Briguglio told Lovin Malta, while confirming he has nothing to do with a new Facebook page that claims he is a candidate.

Rumours that Briguglio could contest next year’s MEP elections have gathered steam in recent weeks, with the Sliema councillor appearing at a number of PN events and given a platform at the party’s recent general council. 

In his general council speech, Briguglio pledged to offer his support to the Nationalist Party’s attempt at forming an alternative vision to the one offered by the Labour Party, which he warned has become consumed by corruption and power.

“Labour wants us to become dependent on the goodwill of ministers,” he said. “It wants a big government and a small society, whereas the PN wants a small government and a big society. We want to give more powers to our citizens, local councils and voluntary organisations. We want citizens to be active participants in a democracy that respects diversity and doesn’t see people as mere numbers.”

Briguglio called on the PN to seek unity in diversity, arguing that the range of diverse opinions on display within the party shows that it respects people’s intelligence.  

Michael Briguglio (centre) with PN leader Adrian Delia (left) 

Last weekend, Briguglio addressed his first-ever PN press conference, held to warn that citizens are being grossly and unfairly overcharged for their electricity consumption.

Briguglio used to be in charge of the green party Alternattiva Demokratika, leading them to a historic 1.8% of the vote in the 2013 general election. He continued representing the AD in the Sliema local council until 2017, when he officially switched his allegiance to the Nationalist Party, even addressing a mass meeting in the run-up to the general election. He supported Chris Said over Adrian Delia in last summer’s PN leadership election.  

Briguglio is renowned for his civil society activism, recently fronting the Front Harsien ODZ movement against over-development and the Civil Society Network, which advocates for good governance and has organised several protests in the wake of the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. 

By getting Briguglio on board, PN leader Adrian Delia will hope to build bridges with a sector of Nationalist voters who have been left disillusioned by his leadership in the wake of damning reports by the late Caruana Galizia.

Would Michael Briguglio make a good MEP?

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Tim Diacono

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]