[WATCH] Labour supporters come out in droves at Worker’s Day mass meeting

Minister ‘without portfolio’ Konrad Mizzi given warm welcome by thousands of Labour supporters gathered at Castille Square for Labour Party's traditional Worker’s Day mass meeting

After Panamagate, Labour supporters give minister Konrad Mizzi a hero's welcome • Photo: Chris Mangion
After Panamagate, Labour supporters give minister Konrad Mizzi a hero's welcome • Photo: Chris Mangion
Labour supporters come out in droves at Worker’s Day mass meeting

Thousands of Labour supporters gathered at Castille Square for the Labour Party’s traditional Worker’s Day mass meeting.

Former health and energy minister Konrad Mizzi, the minister ‘without portfolio’ under fire for having opened an offshore firm in Panama, was given a warm welcome by Labour supporters as he made his way through the crowed. Mizzi, who stepped down as the Labour Party’s deputy leader after two months, was stopped several times by ardent party faithful who wished him well and even posed for photographs.

The mass meeting was held against the backdrop of a Cabinet re-shuffle, which saw Prime Minister Joseph Muscat retain Mizzi and OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri, in spite of their ownership of offshore companies in Panama.

Speaking to MaltaToday ahead of Joseph Muscat’s speech, Foreign Affairs minister George Vella said he “respected” Joseph Muscat’s decision over Panama Papers.

“He took a reasoned decision after giving it a lot of thought and consulting with everyone. The decision has been taken and we respect it,” Vella said.

“Whilst admitting that there are things that could have been done better, we now move forward and pay attention in not repeating certain mistakes which would deviate attention from all the investment and the this country's development.”

Of the same sentiment was Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who said today was about celebrating Worker's Day.

“The decision was the Prime Minister's prerogative. He has decided and it is time to continue working to make the true difference in people's lives,” Zammit Lewis said.

The meeting was attended by several Labour MPs and ministers, including newly-appointed competitiveness minister Manuel Mallia, candidates, and party officials. However, Government Whip Godfrey Farrugia said he would not attend the event out of respect to workers, while his partner and now-independent MP, Marlene Farrugia, did not attend the event either after President of the Republic Marie Louise Coleiro Preca called on the former Labour MP to consider not going to avoid any potential flare-up at the rally.

Labour supports started gathering at Castille Square at around 2:30pm before the square began to fill up. A Gozo Channel ferry chartered by the Labour Party to bring Gozitan supporters to Valletta arrived at the Grand Harbour shortly after.