Watch: ‘A Populist With No Principles’ – Bernard Grech On Prime Minister’s EU Defence Vote
Opposition Leader Bernard Grech described Robert Abela as an “unprincipled populist” after the Prime Minister voted in favour of increasing the EU’s defence budget.
“This is a classic case of a populist with no principles who plays with public sentiment and who is ready to say whatever it takes to try and score political points,” Grech said on NET.
“The truth is that when Abela is in Malta, he says that our candidates want war simply because we want the EU to be better prepared in terms of defence… he even said that we want to send our children to war.”
“However, at the European Council he agreed with this exact same stance. This is hypocrisy and populism with no barometer other than constant U-turns according to what he believes will score him points at a particular point in time.”
Although Abela has publicly criticised calls, including from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, for the EU to increase its EU’s defence budget, he has regularly voted in favour of such calls in Europe.
The Maltese government recently raised concerns about a recent EU statement pledging “unwavering” military support” – including the delivery of missiles and ammunition – to Ukraine, but this statement was eventually blocked by Hungary.
Abela said he voted in favour of increasing the EU’s defence budget after securing assurances that Malta’s constitutional neutrality will be respected.
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