Civil society group Repubblika have endorsed scrawled graffiti comparing prime minister-elect Robert Abela to “dogshit on the path”.
The NGO, which last weekend launched a manifesto calling for the creation of a “new Republic”, shared a photo of a spray-painted message saying “Robert Abela is a bump in the road, dogshit on the path, our fight goes on”.
“Our sentiments entirely. We approve this message,” Repubblika said in a Facebook post.
Dr Abela beat Chris Fearne to be named Labour party leader in an election held last weekend. He will be sworn in as Malta’s 14th prime minister on Monday afternoon.
However when contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the NGO said they regretted any offense caused.
"Our reading of the graffitti was not that Robert Abela is dogshit. But that his election is the product of Joseph Muscat’s strategic retreat as a way of throwing obstacles at our effort to secure truth and justice," a spokesman said.
In his rare public statements, Robert Abela has declared that he would ensure continuity. He seems determined to ensure the Labour Party does not confront the political and institutional crisis of this country.
He has called on us “to let him govern”, suggesting that the free expression of opposition is in itself an act of sedition. He has spoken of public protest in terms of “tolerance” which he implied was running out.
These are not encouraging signals."
The NGO said it was "not in the business of being liked" and that Dr Abela needed to "regain the public's confidence".
"Until he does, we will not allow the ceremony of a ritualistic, effectively dynastic hand over of a hollow crown from Joseph Muscat to Robert Abela to distract us from our mission of insisting justice is served.
"Having said that we’re not in the habit of calling anyone dogshit and we see why readers of the post may have thought we meant to do just that. We regret having led readers to think that."
Repubblika was one of the organisations leading a series of civil society protests against corruption held between November and earlier this month.
Last month, Dr Abela said that while he “tolerated” peaceful demonstrations, he believed many protesters were only out to provoke.
During his first speech as Labour leader, Dr Abela said that his government would strengthen good governance but qualified that with a warning.
“I will ensure we are allowed to govern,” he said.
It is not the first run-in the NGO has had with a holder of high political office. Aside from calling for Joseph Muscat's resignation, the NGO last August had a run-in with President George Vella.
The two sides traded barbs and accusations but later toned down their criticism of each other after it emerged that the disagreement was the result of a misunderstanding.