Marlene Farrugia: ‘We demand a better government’

ndependent MP Marlene Farrugia urged Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to clean up his act and deliver the better government he promised three years ago. 

“Apart from protesting against something, I am here because I want a better government, because we toiled for a better government and we promised the people a better government,” the former Labour MP said.

Last week, Parliament discussed the motion of no confidence against Konrad Mizzi filed by Farrugia.

Speaking during yesterday’s protest organised by Civil Society Network, the outspoken MP said the Cabinet reshuffle only strengthened the perception of corruption. 

“The people are asking ‘what is motivating our leaders when they are negotiating on our behalf?’ The people have these doubts and I do not want to have such doubts. All government needs to do is clean up its act.”

She added that with Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri at the heart of it, the government cannot aspire to be a clean and transparent government. 

The now independent MP said that when the government announces new investments, people ask whether the money will go into anyone’s pockets. 

“If he (Prime Minister Joseph Muscat) does not clean up, the people’s doubts will linger up to the next election and what could have been a government which brings the much needed changes to this country will simply implode,” she said.

In recent weeks, Farrugia has said she was in the process of creating a new party. One of the people who has shown interest in a new political party is TV presenter Salvu Mallia who during yesterday’s protest said that the Labour Party has been “hijacked” by a group of capitalists who aspire to join the 1% who control 90% of global wealth. 

He said he was disappointed that critics within the Labour camp did not show up for the protest, adding that “if the honest people stay mum, evil will reign.”