Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/699546
7 TIM DIACONO OPPOSITION leader Simon Bu- suttil has questioned the Prime Minister's conviction in the Euro- pean Union, accusing Joseph Mus- cat of adopting a populist stance following the seismic result of the Brexit referendum. "He gave conflicting messages about the result – on one hand in- sinuating that he agrees with the decision of the British people, and on the other warning that it would be suicidal for Malta to leave the EU," the PN leader told the party's candidates for the general election. "Muscat is wearing a pro-EU mask, but sometimes the mask slips. Will the real Joseph Muscat please stand up?" Muscat, who has expressed dis- appointment over the Brexit re- sult, has argued that Malta has lost an important ally in the European Union. In less than 12 hours after the announcement of the result, Muscat was quick to extinguish talk of holding a referendum in Malta, arguing that Malta exiting the EU would be "tantamount to suicide". Busuttil has already dubbed Muscat "a Eurosceptic" on Twit- ter after his political opponent said that talk of the now infamous Article 50 was "irrelevant" for EU citizens who were more concerned about the real issues. Then, during a briefing with re- porters in Brussels on Wednesday, Muscat argued that challenging the European Union on issues that made citizens unhappy was not a sign of EU scepticism, but being a realist. He described a breakfast meeting of the EU27 as being eu- rorealist, having discussed issues such as pensions and what had pushed Britons to vote to leave. Busuttil however argued that Muscat's self-description as a 'euro-realist' has echoes of UKIP leader Nigel Farage and former London mayor Boris Johnson – who both campaigned for a Brexit – and of outgoing UK PM David Cameron. Indeed, Busuttil also had harsh words for the British premier, ac- cusing him of placing the UK's na- tional interest on the backburner when he pledged a referendum on EU membership. The 'EU27' met in Brussels this week to discuss the way forward, but all came to the conclusion that nothing can be done before the United Kingdom actually activates Article 50. There were calls for the UK to avoid a prolonged period of uncertainty and France has joined the EU elites in arguing that the re- sult of the Brexit referendum can- not be changed; at the same time, it was acknowledged that the UK needed some time to sort out its domestic affairs. "The people in the UK have vot- ed to leave the European Union. It is not what I and many others hoped for, but it happened and it is up to the next Prime Minister to chart a way forward," Muscat told MaltaToday yesterday morning. "At the European Council I saw a change of heart from European leaders which softened their arro- gant tone to a more understanding attitude. This led member states' leaders to talk sense and give the UK some breathing space, which the latter shouldn't abuse." Arguing that it would be wrong for the UK to assume that it would be dealing with the same European Union of today after it voted to leave, it would likewise be "erro- neous" for the European Union to remain the same as today. "The European Union has to contemplate its future and act on its failures. It must come to a reali- sation that real bread-and-butter issues like migration, jobs and pen- sions are what matter most to the EU citizens," Muscat insisted. The Prime Minister said the European Council meeting was a step towards this direction, confi- dent that the EU will comprehend the mistakes made to avoid more dropouts. "It will only be our mistake if we have a second 'leave' vote in any other member state," he reiterated. "The unfolding events have a bearing on our country as well. That is why strong leadership and economic competence are funda- mental for our country to remain achieving the unprecedented re- sults which we have seen these past three years. Malta's Presidency of the Coun- cil of the European Union will be a golden opportunity to convey a strong message that the European Union can be for the people." maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 JULY 2016 News Busuttil stokes Brexit feud: 'Muscat echoes Farage' Simon Busuttil (right) claims Joseph Muscat's self-description as a 'euro-realist' has echoes of UKIP leader Nigel Farage