Marlene Farrugia: 'We want a Malta-politan vision, not another Dubai or Singapore'

PN deputy leaders Mario de Marco and Beppe Fenech Adami, PD leader Marlene Farrugia deliver final rallying cries at Granaries mass meeting

Thousands of PN supporters have attended the party's final mass meeting at the Floriana Granaries. Photo: James Bianchi
Thousands of PN supporters have attended the party's final mass meeting at the Floriana Granaries. Photo: James Bianchi

PN deputy leaders Beppe Fenech Adami and Mario de Marco and Partit Demokratiku leader Marlene Farrugia delivered their final rallying cries to Maltese voters, at the PN’s final mass meeting at the Granaries ahead of Saturday’s general election.

Marlene Farrugia warned that the Maltese economy has been placed at risk thanks to the corruption by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, his chief of staff Keith Schembri, minister Konrad Mizzi and Nexia BT managing director Brian Tonna.

“The government wants us to accept that corruption is the norm when we know full well that our economy’s success was due to the good reputation we managed to achieve thanks to the way we handled the financial crisis a few years ago,” she said.  

Partit Demokratiku leader Marlene Farrugia addresses a mass meeting. Photo: James Bianchi
Partit Demokratiku leader Marlene Farrugia addresses a mass meeting. Photo: James Bianchi

She also accused Muscat of “bullying” PN leader Simon Busuttil during a recent televised debate, and of trying to dismiss her credibility because she is a woman in a leadership position.

She also derided the Prime Minister as a “clown and a liar” for claiming that she is against hunting, arguing instead that the true threat to hunting is with the Labour government, that “intends to develop Malta into another Dubai or Singapore”.

“We have been a cosmopolitan country since the days of the Knights, but we also want to be Malta-politcan and Gozo-politican because we love our country just the way it is.”

 ‘You’ve filled your pockets more than enough’ – Fenech Adami 

PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami urged the public to use their vote to send a loud and clear message to Joseph Muscat, Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri that the country has had enough of crime, robbery and corruption.

PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami addresses a mass meeting. Photo: James Bianchi
PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami addresses a mass meeting. Photo: James Bianchi

He said that Malta should no longer accept any more commissions on the sale of Maltese passports, on the purchase of the LNG tanker in Marsaxlokk, and on the partial privatisation of Enemalta, and the privatisation of three hospitals.

“Corruption threatens jobs, industries and Malta’s very own moral fibre,” he said.

“Malta has already paid a very high price for Joseph Muscat’s corruption, and our message to these people who betrayed us and robbed us must be that they’ve filled their pockets from the Maltese people more than enough. On Sunday, righteousness will once again triumph. This is the hour for the Maltese, our country is once again calling out for us.”

‘Muscat has turned Malta into the Panama of Europe’ – De Marco

PN deputy leader Mario de Marco ripped into Joseph Muscat, accusing him of turning Malta into the “Panama of Europe” and of leading a “coalition of corruption”.

“This country is being run by a clique of politicians without any values, the clock has been turned back to the 80s, and the country is once again at a crossroads,” he said. “This is only a Labour government in name, but not in soul.”

De Marco said that he can “feel the winds of change”, arguing that Maltese people have large hearts and a great sense of honesty.

“This is not a country of spineless people, this isnt the country of Keith Schembri, Brian Tonna, or Konrad Mizzi, and it definitely isn’t the country of Joseph Muscat,” he said.

He cited former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff’s famous slogan that “Malta comes first and foremost”.

“This is the country of Nerik Mizzi, Pawlu Mizzi, George Borg Olivier, and Dom Mintoff, and Eddie Fenech Adami, and of Lawrence Gonzi, the architects and authors of this country. Despite their shortcomings, our leaders always chose Malta first and foremost. First and foremost.”