Roberta Metsola laid out her vision for a country that reaches the highest possible standards and a vision of excellence as she addressed her first-ever party mass meeting.

The European Parliament president told the crowds gathered on the eve of Independence Day that the country that she loves requires political leaders who lead by example.

Without mentioning any of the scandals that rocked the political world in recent years, she expressed optimism that “it is not too late” to turn back the clock.

EP President Roberta Metsola addressing the crowd. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

“You can't stoop any lower than using your position to prey on the vulnerable. You will be betraying those who trusted you and you will be stealing from those who really need it…"

That was probably a reference to the benefits fraud racket involving former MP Silvio Grixti that Times of Malta exposed earlier this month.

"We politicians must give the right direction. Politicians must lead by example… Despite the current situation in our country, no, all is not lost. No, it's not too late. We are still in time,” she said to applause to crowds of supporters at Valletta gates near the Triton fountain.

In between chants of Nazzjonalisti, Nazzjonalisti, Metsola said the country needed the vision of the Nationalist Party to get it back on the right track, restoring its reputation and taking it to higher grounds with better standards.

The crowd attending Wednesday's mass meeting.

She called for a national conversation, where everyone feels involved, to design the future of Malta.

“Yesterday's solutions were good for yesterday's challenges. We are here because we want to shape the future. The future is not destiny. The future is not a closed box. The future is the box that we want to create, with our vision, with our ability - because the Maltese and Gozitans are capable,” she said.

“With your support we can give the best for this nation, for each and every one of you and for the Europe of which we are a part. This is my commitment, together with my fellow candidates who are running for the European Parliament election on the 8th of June,” she added.

Cheering Roberta Metsola on. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Metsola was invited to address the meeting by party leader Bernard Grech. She has been non-committal about her intentions with regard to local politics but all eyes are on her to assume leadership of the PN and give new hope to a party still struggling to make significant inroads in the polls.

It had been four years since the PN held its Independence Day mass gathering. It was held on the theme of Ħajja Aħjar f’Pajjiżna (A Better Life for the Country).

In the closing speech, Grech challenged Prime Minister Robert Abela to demand a police investigation into claims that any PN MPs, past or present, were involved in the benefits fraud racket. He said he was sure that Abela would not take up this challenge, calling the claim a “big lie”