Labour accuses PN of giving in to partisan politics

The Labour Party has accused the PN of being unable to see beyond partisan politics, despite the PN’s statement it would be “supporting” Karmenu Vella’s nomination as European Commissioner for environment, maritime affairs and fisheries.

Members of the European Parliament will soon be voting on the composition of the new European Commission as a whole, based on the portfolios that President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker has given to all Commissioners.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Sunday said people will make their own comparisons about how the PN will respond to Vella’s nomination with how the Labour Party had supported Tonio Borg’s nomination as European Health Commissioner back in 2012.

On Wednesday, PN leader Simon Busuttil said that the Nationalist MEPs would be voting in favour of Vella’s nomination as European Commissioner. However, Sunday newspaper Kullhadd reported on Sunday that the PN were preparing to launch a smear campaign against Vella.

“The PN is not capable of moving beyond partisan politics even in moments that require national unity. The PN will continue sinking in negativity. This is sad news to all those who want Malta to move forward,” the Labour Party reiterated on Monday morning.

According to il-Kulhadd, Labour’s newspaper, “the PN is using people who have contacts in European circles and are also using English-language bloggers to try and smear Vella’s name.”