After weeks of campaigning, both Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and PN Leader Adrian Delia have launched their final rallying cries ahead of the MEP and Local Council elections taking place this weekend.

While Muscat continued to place himself at the centre of his self-proclaimed “movement” ahead of Saturday’s vote, Delia did put immediate focus on his MEP candidates and the party’s pro-EU roots. However, the PN leader did seem consigned to what could be a potentially devastating defeat.

After apologising for any people the PN had forgotten or hurt in the past, the party’s leader told the crowd;

“Our journey starts on Monday whatever the people’s verdict is. From Monday my colleagues and I will work harder to earn the respect of voters.”

Delia has long played down the result of this election in the face of weak surveys as questions remain over whether rivals will mount a leadership challenge should the PN perform poorly.

Meanwhile, Muscat continued to place himself at the forefront of the MEP and local council campaigns. He personally visited seven localities through the day, indicating that Muscat is gearing up to two devastating blows to the opposition in a matter of days.

Presenting a rally that better reflected the countdown towards a general election rather than a vote for European posts, Muscat spoke expressly about the achievements of his government.

“Two years ago we ask for your faith for our second mandate…there is a lot still left to do and we need your energy for this coming Saturday!”

He made little to no reference to what his MEPs can offer the people beyond spreading his own message on a European level in contrast to the opposition, who said have done nothing but attack Malta over the last five years.

“I put myself front and centre of the campaign as I know it is a clear choice between Adrian Delia and Joseph Muscat!” he yelled to the applauding crowd.

Delia rubbished this idea throughout his own speech and criticised the seeming omnipotence Muscat held over the Labour Party.

“The PL has the majority of votes, the PL has a majority of the finances, but Joseph Muscat is only one capable of speaking for them!”

In contrast, Delia placed immediate emphasis on the work done by his MEP candidates and that the PN was the natural home from European politics.

He also sought to reinforce the different European stances between the two main parties, particularly the Labour Party’s decision to sign a manifesto that includes proposals on the introduction of sexual reproductive rights and tax harmonisation.

The PN Leader did eventually move on to criticise the government’s good governance issues, specifically the recent Council of Europe report and the calls for someone to shoulder political responsibility after two AFM soldiers were arrested for the racially motivated murder of a migrant.

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Julian Bonnici

Julian is the former editor of Lovin Malta and has a particular interest in politics, the environment, social issues, and human interest stories.