[WATCH] 'I am ready to sacrifice everything for my country' - Muscat

"We will rise above the negativity coming from the other side. We are inching closer to the moment whereby people have to choose the direction in which their country will move in the next five year," opposition leader Muscat bellowed at the start of today's PL mass meeting in Mqabba.

Video: James Galea/Mediatoday

Muscat is making a clear distinction between the "negative politics" coming from the "other" camp and the PL's own "positive politics." He will probably be beating this particularly drum note for the remainder of the campaign.

Muscat insists that the country deserves better than the current political debate occurring on the local scene.

"Let us be positive. The country deserves a mature political debate, a debate where individual persons will be respected and not castigated."

"Other are using the worst kind of politics of the past. Their negativity gives me the strength to present myself in front of you and strive for change. I am determined to leave our children with the best possible legacy, a united country," Muscat said.

The opposition leader explained that the PL positivity stems from its prudent policies that are "concrete, costed and realistic."

Turning his guns on the PN but never referring to the Nationalists by name, Muscat promised to rise above the "auctioneering politics being used by the others," instead advocating the "politics of responsibility."

"I will not be dishonest with people and abandon them after the election. Whenever I have promised something, I have always made sure that it can be delivered."

Muscat said that he is ready to sacrifice everything for the love of his country.

"I am not in politics for the money. I am in politics to bring about change. Even when I was leading a comfortable life, I came back to Malta because I heard my calling. I am ready to offer everything for this country. That very evening when I discussed this decision with my wife, she was behind me, even if it meant putting my family second and my country first," he said.

Muscat drew attention to the European Commission's growth projections, saying that they do not tally with projections published by the PN in their electoral programme costings exercise.

"The PN's costings are based on unrealistic growth projections. If they are elected, they will be faced with three possibilities. Either reneging on their promises, ruining the country's finances, or introducing new taxes," Muscat said.

In comparison, the PL's 20 main proposals in its "roadmap" are all "costed and doable."

A law on party financing will be high on the PL's agenda if elected to government according to Muscat. He questioned the hefty donation given by construction magnate Zaren Vassallo to the Nationalist party.

"We have no one to lend us a quarter of a million euro. What does this person want back in exchange for this money," Muscat questioned.

As the meeting reached its peak, the opposition leader appealed for the "attacks" on students to stop. He assured those present that his movement would not close on to itself in the remaining two weeks, instead remaining open for all.

Promising to remain positive for the rest of the election campaign, Muscat made a pitch to those voters who are still undecided.

"For those who are still undecided in who to vote for. Send a clear message. Vote for this movement on the 9 of March. Joseph Muscat believes in you. This movement believes in you. Come with us. Join us. Your place is with us. We have 12 days left to continue this positivity," he said.

"The duty to protect youngsters from these attacks is for all. The right to clean up politics is for all. The choice not to be negative is for all. Positive politics is for all. This country is no one's monopoly. This country if for all," Muscat screamed.