WEEK TWO: Everything That Happened On The Election Campaign Trail
Now that Malta’s snap general election was announced for June 3rd 2017 and all political parties are in full election mode, here are the highlights from the election campaign’s second week to bring you up to speed:
Monday 8th May
The week kicked off with Nationalist Party deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami speaking at a press conference about how the ink used in the upcoming election’s voting documents can easily be wiped away, even by a fingernail. Fenech Adami continued to say that this had happened because the Electoral Commission’s lamination machines were not functioning properly and an entirely new procedure was used.
Between reports that ID cards were issued to people who bought Maltese citizenship and rumours that some people had more than one ID card, this latest development continued to throw doubts on the voting process. However, following clarifications by the electoral commission, the party toned down its criticism and told supporters to accept the documents at home – urging them to also keep them safe.
Tuesday 9th May
Both major political parties held press conferences in the afternoon. During PL’s conference, cabinet members Helena Dalli and Deborah Schembri hit out at newly-announced PN candidate Josie Muscat for his past statements about women, also showing clips of Muscat speaking out against civil unions and African immigrants.
During PN’s press conference, Simon Busuttil brought up the fact that the Prime Minister will not be going before the PANA committee, saying he lacked the courage to do so.
Meanwhile, former Alternattiva Demoktratika leader Michael Briguglio urged his Facebook followers to vote for the PN-PD coalition, and not for AD. On his blog, he claimed that “the only reason why some Labour elves are suddenly showing sympathy for AD is because they want a split vote to Labour’s advantage.” Briguglio concluded by saying “AD is still in time to join #ForzaNazzjonali.”
Wednesday 10th May
PN announced (via Facebook Live) that it will be rolling out a new system of e-mocracy to crowdsource proposals and new policy ideas, echoing one of #PartitLM’s strongest proposals from our April Fools stunt.
Alternattiva Demokrattika presented its first batch of proposals, while remaining adamant that they won’t be joining the PN-PD Forza Nazzjonali coalition. The Green Party’s proposals include giving Local Councils the right to carry out local referenda to decide on ODZ developments in their areas, and to give back Manoel Island’s fort and Ta’ Qali to the public.
Thursday 11th May
The EU Parliament announced that it will be holding a plenary session on Malta after the general elections. According to the Independent, “a well informed EU Parliament source explained that the reason for this debate is not directly the financial services sector, but would rather be on political accountability and the rule of law.”
Speaking in Qrendi, Simon Busuttil clarified his position on the controversial IIP Scheme, seeing as doubts were raised after his position changed from being against it in principle to recently announcing he would keep the scheme should he be elected after cleaning it up.
Michael Briguglio, who still represents Alternattiva Demokrattika at the Sliema Local Council, offered his resignation from AD. “This will be my final post on AD and the elections,” he said. “I respect their decision not to join the coalition, but I disagree with it.”
OPM chief communications officer Kurt Farrugia showed up at the University of Malta for a clarification meeting with the UOM Debating Union, the organisers of the upcoming University General Election Debate which was originally set for Tuesday 16th May. As of Thursday, Simon Busuttil, Marlene Farrugia and Arnold Cassola had accepted the invitation, but Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had yet to confirm his attendance. NET News’ Mario Frendo barraged Farrugia with questions, demanding an ETA on the Prime Minister’s confirmation.
Meanwhile, the new song for PL’s election campaign dropped on Facebook. Echoing the slogan L-Aqwa Żmien Ta’ Pajjiżna, the song adopts a style similar to their previous anthem Malta Tagħna Lkoll
Friday 12th May
PN leader Simon Busuttil took the campaign to Gozo where he presented the first-ever electoral manifesto just for Malta’s sister island, carrying 100 proposals. Labour reacted by saying half of the proposals were either copied from Labour or already being implemented.
Saturday 13th May
This was the last day for political parties to finalise their list of candidates – but one trio took centre stage.
After ‘negotiations’, the partner of Marlene Farrugia decided to run on her party’s ticket. Godfrey Farrugia – a former Health Minister under Labour – officially resigned from the party and announced he will be a Partit Demoktratiku candidate as part of the PN’s coalition. He was given a bit of a hero’s welcome at PN headquarters.
But Marlene Farrugia’s ex-husband, former Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, decided to seize the limelight by announcing his own candidature – this time on the Labour ticket – a few minutes before application time closed.
Sunday 14th May
The political parties announced an agreement on the University debate which will now be held on Wednesday due to a state visit by Ukraine. Meanwhile, Peppi Azzopardi announced that both parties have not yet got back to Xarabank regarding a TV debate next Friday between the leaders.
Sunday also means polls. This week MaltaToday, Malta Independent and Torċa all published polls which each show Labour still ahead.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando’s candidature got this salvo from Labour MEP Alfred Sant, when asked by the Malta Independent: “If the fellow concerned was a candidate on the district where I vote, even if in the interests of the Heavenly Party, and even if he turned up to weep at my doorstep, I would never even dream of voting for him. I would prefer to vote instead for a candidate of the Ajkla Party.
The week ended with two mass meetings: Labour took over the trade fair grounds in Naxxar and PN filled the streets of Żebbuġ. Both had a star guest. Labour presented choreographer Felix Busuttil, who spoke about the track record of the government on civil rights. PN showed former Labour MP Godfrey Farrugia, who decried the sexist remarks that were made about his switch to PN.
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READ NEXT: WEEK ONE: Malta 2017 Election Campaign Round-Up
