Watch: ‘When Your Time Is Up, Don’t Come Back’ – Robert Abela Says When Asked About Jason Micallef
Prime Minister Robert Abela urged PL delegates not to “turn the clock back” and to ensure the party is “appealing to moderates” when asked whether he would like to see Jason Micallef elected Deputy Leader for Party Affairs.
Lovin Malta questioned Abela in an interview last Thursday, a day before Micallef officially announced he was contesting the role.
“Jason Micallef contributed to the PL in the past and I believe he can still contribute,” Abela responded.
“If the rumours are true, then the PL delegates must pass judgement. Over the years they have always passed good judgement because ultimately they always wanted the PL to be a victorious movement – not just to say that we’ve won an election but to be in the best possible state to help the country.”
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“I believe the delegates must ensure that the party keeps on opening its doors and becomes more appealing to moderates and a wider section of society.”
“Whenever, in the recent past, the PL closed in on itself, it lost elections. This clear. Whenever it encapsulated itself and adopted a siege mentality, it lost. We want to be a movement that appeals to the middle ground.”
Asked whether he thinks Micallef appeals to the middle ground, Abela said that the PL delegates must make that decision.
“I have a single vote like the other delegates. What I can say is that the clock never turns backwards.”
Asked straight out whether the implication is that he doesn’t want Micallef elected as his deputy leader, Abela responded as follows.
“You asked me about a person and I gave you an answer that applies generally. When your time is up and you have provided your contribution, don’t come back.”
“Now it’s up to the delegates to analyse and decide whether they want the PL to be in government after 2027. I believe that if the PL becomes more open and appealing, it can obtain a similarly strong result at the 2027 election as it did in 2022, but only if the right decisions are taken.”
Micallef served as PL secretary-general from 2003 to 2009, when the role was abolished by then PL leader Joseph Muscat. He later served as executive chairperson of ONE Productions, chairperson of the Valletta 2018 Foundation and the Valletta Cultural Agency, and head of a unit that oversees the Ta’ Qali National Park.
Lovin Malta’s full interview with Robert Abela will be published on Sunday at 9am.
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