Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520732
BRUSSELS bother: During a press con- ference, Labour candidates criticised the European People's Party (EPP) – the group to which Roberta Metsola and David Casa belong – for not signing a declaration to refuse normalising alliances with far-right countries or radical groups. This declara- tion calls for European democratic parties to reject any normalisation, cooperation or alliance with the far-right. This is causing much ado in Brussels, where S&D, Renew, the Greens and the Left have all signed this declaration. It came up after European Commissioner president Ursula von der Leyen, who hails from the EPP, said she would be open to a deal with the European Conservatives and Reformists group. Animal rights: A couple of Maltese voluntary groups are pleading to the electorate to use their vote wisely on 8 June. The Malta Society for the Protec- tion and Care of Animals is asking can- didates to make several pledges to pro- tect animal welfare if elected. In turn, the association will encourage all animal lovers, particularly young voters, to ex- ercise their right and vote for candidates that have taken this pledge. Meanwhile, the Malta Association of Public Health Medicine is calling on people to "vote with health in mind", meaning to vote for candidates who prioritise collective health and wellbeing. A Cassola win: Last Friday, the KNŻ held a candidates' debate and used an innovative format whereby the audi- ence would vote for the candidate who convinced them the most after each round of debates. The initial line-up of thirteen candidates was whittled down until two candidates remained – La- bour's Steve Ellul and independent can- didate Arnold Cassola. Turns out, it was Cassola that made the most compelling arguments in the final round, and so he emerged as the most convincing candi- date. What's happening today?: The Na- tionalist Party is holding a discussion event in Swieqi at 6:30pm. The Labour Party is holding a community event in St Julian's at 5:30pm, and a discussion at St Paul's Bay at 6:30pm. Arnold Cassola is meeting BirdLife at 11am. 9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 15 MAY 2024 NEWS relative MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt NICOLE MEILAK nmeilak@mediatoday.com.mt These articles are part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author's view. The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action. Labour brings Brussels politics to Malta on day 14 of the election campaign Brussels bubble vs Malta muddle tion of PN voters cold while failing to make substantial inroads among other categories of voters. Still 29.5% of current PN voters will still vote for the party despite their dis- trust of Grech. In contrast the vast majority of 2022 Labour voters who distrust Abela are also intent on not voting. Abela leads Grech in all age groups Despite the overall losses, the survey shows Abela leading Grech in all age groups. But in a clear sign of a loss of trust in both leaders among younger voters, a staggering 55.5% of under 35-year-old voters, up from 42.9% in February do not trust either of the two leaders. In this age bracket only 15.6% trust Grech while 28.9% trust Abela. This sug- gests that a 12.6-point increase of young people who trust neither leader since Feb- ruary corresponds with a 12.1-point drop in Abela's trust rating while Grech has retained the same score. Distrust in po- litical leaders is also widespread (44.8%) among those aged 36 to 50, where Abela leads Grech by eight points. But in this category Grech has seen his trust rating increase by 11 points at Abela's expense. Abela also leads Grech by 7.4 points among those aged between 51 and 65 and by 14 points among those aged over 65. The survey also shows that Abela enjoys a stronger lead among males (12.6 points) than among females (6.8 points). Abela leads in four out of six regions Abela emerges as the most trusted po- litical leader in the South Harbour, the Southeastern region, the Northern region and Gozo while Grech prevails in the North Harbour region and the Western region. Abela leads by 33.8 points in the South- eastern region and by 30 points in the South Harbour. Abela also leads Grech in Gozo by 15.5 points in Gozo. Abela also enjoys a more restricted 5.1-point lead in the Northern district. This lead is particu- larly significant in a region where the two parties are neck to neck in terms of vot- ing intentions. On his part Grech leads by just 2.5 points in the Western region and by 7.1 points in the North Harbour region - two areas where the PN is also leading. The survey also shows Abela leading Grech among those earning under €3,000 and Grech leading among those earning more than €3,001. Distrust in both lead- ers peaks at 50.2% among those earning between €2,001 and €3,000. Labour candidates Marija Sara Vella Gafa and Alex Agius Saliba