Metsola: ‘Government taken up by internal quarrels’

Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola accused the Labour government of having taken up by its internal quarrels and giving lucrative government jobs to to those in its inner circle, rather than facing the country’s challenges.

Speaking during a televised debate organised by the Broadcasting Authority, Metsola said Prime Minister Joseph Muscat spent his first year in governmnet quarrelling with former health minister Godfrey Farrugia, instead of addressing the problems that persisted in the health sector.

It was the second time in two days that PN candidates referred to the former minister’s resignation, after Simon Busuttil described Farrugia as an example of Muscat’s treatment of people for his own political ends.

The debate was dominated by arguments on unemployment and meritocracy, with Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson and candidate Arnold Cassola saying that a change in government had not brought any real change in local politics.

“14 months after the general election, is it truly a ‘Malta for all’ as promised by Labour? Was there any progress in meritocracy? Have things really changed for the better?”

He said the alleged political interference in Mount Carmel Hospital – in this case leading to the ousting of its chief executive to make way for a Labour candidate – and the St Vincent de Paule residence as prime examples.

Labour MEP candidate Charlon Gouder on his part said that in just one year, the government had delivered on some of his major promises. “The European Commission already certified Malta’s economic performance, saying that growth was increasing at twice the rate of the EU average. On the other hand you have the Opposition which persists with its negative approach and scaremongering,” Gouder said, referring to the continuous references PN candidates made to rising unemployment.

Gouder said that Labour had in one year created 6,000 jobs in the private sector, in contrast to “eight government jobs” created each day created by the Nationalist administration in the weeks before the 2013 general election.

The candidate also said that the government had passed the civil unions act, which had been long shelved by previous PN administrations. “We wrote history while the Opposition abstained on this crucial vote. This is ‘Malta for all’ in practice, with a credible government that does not ignore minorities’ needs. This government brought the much needed positive energy and stability that lacked under the previous government,” Gouder stressed.

Labour candidate Fleur Vella also focused on the government’s merits, mentioning measures such as free childcare, paid maternity leave and reduction of utility tariffs.  “Until a year ago they were all described by the Nationalist Party as ‘impossible’, now they are part of today’s reality.”

On the other hand, PN candidate Norman Vella insisted that  unemployment was on the rise, claiming that unemployment in Gozo alon had increased by 6%. “There are 5,800 youths unemployed and untrained. What happened to Muscat’s youth guarantee of more training and employment opportunities? Dissatisfaction also persists among Enemalta employees, among police and army officials and other civil workers who feel discriminated just because they are not in the Labour’s inner circles,” Vella said.

Vella said that despite much pre-electoral talk about precarious work, the government had forgotten this issue and let workers with these conditions to their own fates.  “These workers have every right to expect the government to keep his promises and start delivering.”