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Prime Minister Sticks His Neck Out For Embattled PN Leader: ‘The People’s Choice Must Be Respected’

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Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has defended Opposition leader Adrian Delia from internal pressure to resign, arguing that democracy dictates that the PN members’ choice of leader must be respected.

“The PN’s members chose a leader but it is clear that the powers that be within the PN don’t respect this decision,” he said at a political rally in Ħaż-Żabbar this morning. “The situation within the PN is none of my business, but what interests me is their state of mind, because it reminds me of how some PN MPs had voted against divorce or abstained from voting in Parliament even though the people had voted for it in a referendum [in 2012]. When you present the people with a choice, then you must implement their decisions and the only way to overthrow a referendum is through another referendum.”

“This same forma mentis is now repeating itself within the Opposition. There are people behind the scenes in the PN who believe that only their opinions are valid and that democracy is only relevant when the people agree with them. It’s a trait that betrays them and is extremely dangerous.”

Although Muscat didn’t mention any names, he linked the internal calls for Delia’s resignation to the recent uproar by former PN leader Simon Busuttil and other PN officials after a judge dismissed Busuttil’s request for a magisterial inquiry into the Panama Papers.

“The situation we witnessed this week after the man who has been shouting the most about Malta’s rule of law lost a court case was surreal,” the Prime Minister said. “I could have attacked the courts in the past, such as when they removed two parliamentary seats from our majority in the last legislature, but I merely explained why I disagreed with that decision and then respected it.”

“[Busuttil] lost a much smaller case and the delirium that erupted was incredible. When you disagree with a court decision, you should make your arguments but not attack the court and describe its decision as unbelievable. This is a personal trait of people who create havoc whenever they don’t get their way, and we are witnessing it again within the PN.”

Muscat added that the situation within the PN clearly shows that the Labour Party is the only party capable of running the country but urged PL officials and supporters not to develop sense of supremacy.

“Even though the Opposition has been splintered into a thousand pieces, now is not the time to lower our guard, become arrogant or detach ourselves from the people, but it’s the time to work even harder and correct our past mistakes.”

READ NEXT: Looks Like Game Over For Adrian Delia’s Critics As Dissent Seems Silenced

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]

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