Updated | PN cancels national protest on Sunday

The Nationalist Party has said that it has cancelled the "national protest" that was planned for next Sunday.

In a statement, the PN said that the decision was taken for the sake of “national interest”.

“The opportunity for people with different interests and views to come together through a democratic process which would ensure stability and credibility must be provided,” he said.

The initial announcement of the protest received wide-spread criticism, with people taking to social media to vent their frustration.

Following the dramatic political scenario that ensued on Tuesday with the resignation of the Prime Minister's chief of staff Keith Schembri in connection with the Daphne Caruana Galizia assassination investigation, the major political parties were looking to mobilse party faithful. 

On Tuesday, the Labour Party said that an activity addressed by Joseph Mucscat will be held in Fgura on Sunday morning. The event was originally planned to be held in Zejtun but the venue was changed.

On Wednesday, PN secretary-general Clyde Puli also said that the party would be holding a ‘national protest’ on Sunday.

Public activities related to the ongoing political situation have so far been limited to protests organised by civil society groups Repubblika and Occupy Justice, which has held four protests within the last week.

The last one was held yesterday in Valletta, with activists calling for the resignation of the Prime Minister.    

On Wednesday evening, another demonstration will be held in Valletta by the civil society organisations.

Matthew Caruana Galizia, son of slain jorunalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, took to Facebook to urge people not to attend any political activities. 

"This is not a time for tribal politics. Joseph Muscat wants us to go to war against each other. Our war is against corruption, against his office, the Office of the Prime Murderer," he said. 

Caruana Galizia also urged supporters to attend protests.