Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521709
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JUNE 2024 NEWS 'Abela knows Muscat CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Following weeks of antici- pation, hundreds of die-hard Labour supporters gathered outside court to support Mus- cat. PL officials feared the sit- uation could deteriorate into something uglier. Although a heavy police presence ensured law and or- der were always maintained, PL insiders still feel the Vitals case and all its side trappings could have a long-term effect on the party. "The government has done a lot of good work throughout the year, but when you have the former PM dragged to court, and the party seems to be openly backing him, the op- tics are bad on everyone linked to Labour," a Cabinet member told this newspaper. Another minister said they could not understand how Prime Minister Robert Abela has thrown the full weight of the party behind Muscat, giv- en the decisions he took when he was elected leader in 2020. "His first moves as party leader and PM were to dis- tance his administration from Muscat's. He kicked out Kon- rad Mizzi, sought to end the hospitals deal, but now he has flip flopped and is doing the opposite," they said. Calling out the party's strat- egy, they said it was a case of "short-term success, for longer-term loss." "It's a strategic mistake. The people we are trying to convince through Joseph Muscat would have voted for us either way. From where I'm standing, we have already started to lose the moderate vote, and in the long run that will hurt us," they said. Abela bothered by Muscat ap- pearances Since the beginning of the election campaign, Muscat has addressed several local coun- cil and MEP candidate events, with hundreds attending to see him speak. Nearly all La- bour MEP candidates have in- vited Muscat to their events, with insiders expressing how this bothers the current La- bour leader. "Of course it bothers him, as Robert Abela knows Joseph Muscat will always overshad- ow him, and at such a delicate juncture, this makes him seem weaker in his leadership over the party," an MP said. "Abela knows that Muscat's strength lies in the way he communi- cates, and so he fears that." Nonetheless, Abela has done little in public to distance him- self from Muscat after having allowed propagandist Manuel Cuschieri to interview the for- Joseph Muscat waves to supporters before entering Court The articles hereunder form 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. These articles reflect only the authors' views. 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. The week ahead: It's going to be a long week. Last Saturday, voters residing in St Vincent de Paul and other residence homes cast their votes, as did those registered for early voting. Meanwhile, in-patients recovering at Gozo General Hospital and Mater Dei, Karin Grech and Mount Carmel Hospitals are voting on Thursday 6 June. The rest of us head to the polls on 8 June. See you at the voting station! Propoganda-watch: Labour's campaign ads have taken on a patronising tone lately. "We have price stability schemes on essential products, and others want to remove them entirely. Ara x'tagħmel tiv- votax." The phrase verges somewhere between the condescending and threatening. Somewhere be- tween "you sure you don't want to vote?" and "don't you dare not vote". Meanwhile, ADPD are sticking with a simple campaign ad that sees their four can- didates trying to convince you that an ADPD in the European Parliament will be worth it for you. Our guide to EU political families: Still a bit lost when it comes to the European Parliament? Don't worry, we've got you covered. The Nationalist Par- ty's European family is the European People's Party, which has dominated EU politics and holds most of the top jobs in the EU institutions. It carries pro-EU conservatives, economic liberals as well as Christian-Democrats. Meanwhile the Labour Par- ty belongs to the Party of European Socialists, or S&D. This grouping is rooted in the principles of social democracy and progressivism, and the belief that the government has a responsibility to ensure social welfare and equality. Then there's the Eu- ropean Greens, to which ADPD belongs to. Inde- pendent candidate Arnold Cassola used to be its secretary-general. This is Europe's main formation of green, environmentalist and progressive parties. The Vitals strategy: Now that we're mere days away from the election, it's a good time to reflect on the Labour Party's 'Vitals strategy'. MaltaTo- day spoke with Labour Party insiders on this, and the feeling is that the party is sacrificing its future for short-term success by pandering to voters who would have voted Labour either way. Die-hard La- bour supporters were certainly mobilised when Jo- seph Muscat was arraigned in court last week. And the 'Establishment' narrative might have helped mobile a few other supporters too. And in an elec- tion where Labour is evidently worried about turn- out – hence a lot of campaign adverts focused on getting out the vote – grassroots mobilisation could be the difference between a Labour majority and a Labour supermajority. It's voting week!! NICOLE MEILAK nmeilak@mediatoday.com.mt I'm begging for this all to be over. Here's the last weekly election round-up!