Labour MEP candidate Miriam Dalli has started her campaign for the May election, putting employment and irregular migration among her priorities.

The slogan she chose – Prijorità Malta – reflected the fact that she wanted to give priority to Malta, its families and interests, Dr Dalli said.

She wanted to focus on the issues of paramount importance for the country.

If people put their faith in her, she would dedicate her political energy to important issues such as job opportunities, irregular immigration, affordable energy, EU funding, youths and cutting red tape for businesses.

There were five main principles that would guide her political work if she were elected in the European Parliament: strong representation, proper consultation, transparency and accountability, communication and information.

Dr Dalli’s candidature was endorsed by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who said he believed in her abilities and qualities that she could use for the benefit of Malta and the Labour Party.

May’s European Parliament elections would be a tough test for the government because past experience showed that no party in government managed to win them, he said.

However, with candidates like Dr Dalli there was a good possibility that Labour would get a positive result.

“I believe Dr Dalli can be an extremely good representative,” he said.