Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1495665
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 MARCH 2023 NEWS Thank you... for having bought this newspaper The good news is that we're not raising the price of our newspaper We know times are still hard, but we have pledged to keep giving our readers quality news they deserve, without making you pay more for it. So thank you, for making it your MaltaToday Support your favourite newspaper with a special offer on online PDF subscriptions. Visit bit.ly/2X9csmr or scan the QR code Subscriptions can be done online on agendabookshop.com Same-day delivery at €1 for orders up to 5 newspapers per address. Subscribe from €1.15 a week Same-day print delivery from Miller Distributors mt 'How can Abela declare he's a socialist and oppose the Jean Paul Sofia public inquiry' – Bernard Grech LUKE VELLA BERNARD Grech has questioned how people can take Prime Min- ister Robert Abela's claim of be- ing a socialist seriously when he is opposing a public inquiry into Jean Paul Sofia's death. During an interview with An- drew Azzopardi on Radio 103 Malta's Heart on Saturday, Grech said that Abela did not stand with the little guy. "How can the Prime Minister declare he's a socialist? How can you be a socialist if you're not with the little guy and the nation? Abela's façade fell, and people now know what he stands for," Grech said. He said that the party keeps pressing the PM for a public in- quiry into the death of 20-year- old Jean Paul Sofia at a construc- tion site in Paola. "We are only echoing the desire of a mother who lost her son," Grech said. Grech said that he is angry that police and the Attorney General are prosecuting the three young men known as the El Hiblu 3, who are accused of terror by the Maltese government. "The Police and the AG that are supposed to keep the coun- try clean from those that got into politics to make money are turn- ing their guns on journalists and people that stole a can of tuna. They are instead protecting those in power and those that are pig- ging out," Grech said. On Rosianne Cutajar's Whatsapp chats with Yorgen Fenech, Grech said that even though he is not interested in anyone's personal and intimate life, the chats reveal the intimacy between a junior minister and the known owner of 17 Black. "We are public figures, and we should be responsible for our actions. They can't just play the victim and woman card," Grech said. He remarked how the chats re- vealed that Cutajar even asked Fenech for information about the appointment of a Maltese EU Commissioner and a cabinet re- shuffle. "They went into government with one roadmap – to become rich," Grech said, in reference to Cutajar's "everyone pigging out" message. He added that this was the rea- son the PN opposed the appoint- ment of Justice Joseph Azzopardi to become the new Commission- er for Standards in Public Life. "We do not want a person in this position who was personally chosen by Abela." Grech said it was not true that the parties were the same, as ac- cording to him, Abela led one way, and he led correctly. Adrian Delia and Roberta Met- sola Grech revealed that prior to his decision to contest the PN leadership race, he had been ap- proached by then leader Adrian Delia to contest the European Parliament elections. He said he has a great relation- ship with Delia and he considers the former PN leader as a top lawyer and a highly intelligent person. Grech became PN leader in Oc- tober 2020, replacing Delia, who did not manage to survive a tor- mented three-year period at the realm of the party. Fresh from a historic victory, where the court annulled the con- cession of St Luke's, Karin Grech and the Gozo General hospitals to Steward Healthcare, Delia re- gained prominence and populari- ty in the party in recent weeks. Azzopardi questioned Grech whether the two were now on good terms, considering the shows of force that the duo have been portraying lately. "I had been saying this for a long time – the party was and is unit- ed," Grech said. "I was concerned for the party, which is why I de- cided to contest for party leader." "There are many supporters of Adrian Delia that still believe in him and feel hurt about was hap- pened… We must keep on work- ing to bring the people closer to the party," Grech said. Grech was also asked about his future as party leader if PN failed to make inroads during the 2024 MEP elections and lost out on a third seat. In the face of consistent specu- lation that European Parliament President Roberta Metsola could replace Grech, the PN leader said he recently spoke at length with her. "Metsola has a bright future. She is a very capable person, and I would like to see her advance even further in her political ca- reer," Grech said. PN leader Bernard Grech (left) with his predecessor Adrian Delia