‘Come to us if you’re hurt,’ Abela tells voters as election looms

Prime Minister Robert Abela has made a direct appeal to disgruntled or undecided voters ahead of the May 30 election, urging them to voice their grievances rather than stay home on polling day.

Speaking at a Labour campaign event in Mosta on Tuesday evening, Abela warned that abstaining from voting would only hand power to the Nationalist Party which cannot be trusted to run the country in the current global climate.

"If you know, even one person, who is not convinced yet, let them meet us," he told supporters.

"We have a team of great candidates and Lydia and myself are available to you every day, any time of the day. We will listen to you, even if you’re hurt, and we will offer you solutions."

The race ultimately boils down to a choice between his team and the PN leader's team, he said.

He said the path ahead is not easy, but defended his government’s track record, saying it had tripled the economy while cutting debt. In this context, a vote for Labour was the only way to guarantee economic stability and safeguard the country's fiscal future, he said.

Polls open this Saturday for voters who are unable to vote on May 30.

‘Staying at home is not a solution’

Abela focused heavily on people who have not yet collected their voting documents or remain undecided about their choice.

He pushed back against the idea of protest abstentions, saying the ballot is a choice between continued stability and political risk.

"Go for your vote. It’s not a solution to stay at home. Staying at home would only open the door of Castille [to the PN]," he said.

He leaned heavily on his administration's economic track record to justify another term in office. The government had successfully managed to grow the economy while meeting its fiscal targets, he said, a balance that has benefitted everyone.

Abela said he was willing to listen and offer solution to everyone.

If trusted with power again, he would continue to grow the economy, he said. But a future under his leadership would not merely improve people's financial position - it would also improve their wellbeing, he told supporters.

"We have a plan and we know our economy is strong enough for it."

'My team vs. Alex's team'

In the final stretch of his speech, the prime minister challenged voters to compare his frontbench team with the Nationalist Party's alternative lineup. He explicitly named key ministers to remind the audience of who has been managing the country's main portfolios.

"You know who my team is. You know Clyde Caruana who’s in charge of the budget, you know Silvio Schembri who attracted so much direct investment over, you know Ian Borg who represents us so well abroad... you know all the rest, Byron, Clifton, Jonathan... But now let me ask you: who are the ones on the other team?"

This was a crucial question that voters needed to ask before they voted, he insisted.

"This question will determine whether Malta continues towards economic prosperity or puts its current progress at risk."

Ministers Clifton Grima (left) and Anton Refalo addressed supporters before Abela took the stage.

Anyone voting Labour on May 30 would be writing history, he said.

"I invite you to be part of this story. On May 30 feel proud of your vote because on that day you can write your name in this exciting and beautiful chapter in the history of our nation," he said.

"To those who believe in our manifesto, I say: Your place is with us, each one of you. This movement is open to all your dreams and aspirations for this country."