Prime Minister Robert Abela said that Labour’s electoral manifesto is a “contract and guarantee” with the public, adding that only Labour has the experience and team capable of implementing its proposals and continue leading the country through international challenges.
Addressing a Labour mass rally in Mqabba, Abela said that the country had reached the halfway point of a positive electoral campaign “filled with ideas,” while calling for Maltese and Gozitan people to remain united and continue working together for the country they love.
Abela said Malta may be a small island, but it remains a strong country despite global instability and wars taking place around it.
“In a world where wars have become the new normal, on 30 May we have a clear choice, not only on proposals, but on competence and credibility,” he said.
Abela said that Malta remained stronger than many other countries because Labour had taken “strong and wise decisions” during the pandemic and during international conflicts, adding that government had acted responsibly to protect the country and its people.
Abela contrasted Labour’s manifesto with that of the PN, saying Labour had published a manifesto full of “new ideas and projects,” while accusing the PN of following Labour’s proposals and attempting to promise more without proper detail.
“They said they were ready, but the people only have one electoral manifesto in their hands, ours alone,” Abela said.
He said that Labour’s manifesto is a “contract and guarantee” with the people, unlike past PN administrations which discarded their manifestos “into a shredder” after elections.
The Prime Minister said that the Labour Party has a proven track record of implementing electoral promises, citing Labour’s economic growth, pension increases, energy subsidies, higher stipends and children’s allowances as examples of promises that were delivered over the past 13 years.
“One measure builds on another, and what we introduced remained in place and we continued building on it,” he said.
Abela said Labour’s manifesto is based on 25 clear goals and contrasted this with the PN, saying that its leader Alex Borg avoided giving details when asked about fiscal targets.
He described himself as a “responsible father” who promises only what a family can afford, adding that his role is to improve people’s lives without pushing the country “to the edge through irresponsible promises.”
The Prime Minister also spoke of several key Labour proposals, including stronger stipends for students, new incentives for young people, and a €30,000 tax-free kick-start scheme for youths over three years.
He also repeated Labour’s proposal for government to finance 25% of a first-time buyer’s property through a loan arrangement which can later be repurchased without interest, while pledging support for families purchasing a second home after expanding their family.
Abela also referred to reduced stamp duty for self-employed workers, lower taxes for companies, pension increases of at least €50 per week, and the recently announced “super bonus” for workers.
On transport, Abela described Labour’s proposals as “solid and realistic,” saying they had been developed together with experts known to the public.
He urged people who had not yet collected their voting document to do so, describing voting as an important right fought for by previous generations.
Abela said Labour’s “Int Malta” plan deserves the public’s support and said that there is “a very strong team” behind him capable of implementing it.
He said that the election is a choice between Labour’s team and the PN’s leadership, asking voters who they trust more to lead sectors such as the economy, finance, energy, health, social policy, justice, security, education, transport, sport and culture.
Abela also spoke about Malta’s identity, saying the country must continue celebrating its language, traditions, arts and culture.
Referring to the recent Manoel Island agreement, Abela said he was proud that Labour had “fulfilled the people’s dream” by returning Manoel Island to the public.
“Manoel Island is now yours,” he said, adding that Labour wants to create more spaces where families can spend time together.
The Prime Minister also referred to Malta as a country that “does not judge but understands,” where everyone should have the opportunity to become a parent and achieve their aspirations.
Abela said he believes in a united Malta and praised the “Team Malta” spirit that previously brought Malta independence, freedom and republic status.
Among the personal stories mentioned during the speech, Abela referred to children speaking to him about their aspirations for Manoel Island, parents who became parents through IVF, and a man named Josef who spoke to him about a rare disease affecting both himself and his three-year-old daughter.
Abela said government had approved a new orphan drug costing a lot of money annually for treatment linked to the condition.
He also mentioned a message sent to him by Tiziana Zammit, who thanked Labour for giving her opportunities to return to work, continue studying and build a better future for herself and her family.
Closing the speech, Abela said he remains optimistic and positive about Malta’s future, saying that he needed the people’s trust on 30 May to turn their dreams into Labour’s project.
Finance Minister Clyde Caruana also addressed the political rally.
