President condemns meme depicting Muscat with Down’s Syndrome

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca has stepped in to condemn a viral meme that depicts Prime Minister Joseph Muscat as a person with Down’s Syndrome.

The meme, that went viral on Facebook, was a play on the PN’s billboard of Muscat with the slogan ‘He let us all down’.

It first appeared on a satirical Facebook page called ‘Mintoff Dreams for Commie Teens’ that has since been pulled down.

In a statement on Facebook, Coleiro Preca said it was “heartbreaking” that there are some Maltese people who are bringing political debate to such low levels of maturity, decency, respect and ethics.

“It is shameful that there are people who use politics as an excuse to insult others and in the process hurt vulnerable, sick and disabled people,” she said.

PN leader Simon Busuttil also condemned the meme as “unacceptable” during a political activity this morning.

“I condemn it unreservedly as I condemn the attacks on the Prime Minister’s children,” he said.

Commissioner for People with a Disability Oliver Scicluna said that the person behind the joke should be traced and that he “should get what he deserves for such a sick joke”.