Prime Minister says he wants youths to be at the heart of next legislature’s Cabinet

Prime Minister Robert Abela wants to see more youths and women on the Labour Party’s list of candidates for the next general election, and for them to be at the heart of the next Cabinet.

The Prime Minister was speaking during a political activity on Sunday.

Abela spoke about past legislatures, saying that in their second mandate they would progressively move backwards. This government broke that cycle, he said, "as we did not fear change. We recognised that renewal is crucial for improving the government. Halfway through a legislature, we went for a new party leader and Prime Minister, for a new Cabinet with many new faces."

He spoke about having a new Attorney General, Police Commissioner and a new Chief Justice over the past year, as well as the party having a new PL Party President and Secretary General.

He said that this is still the beginning of a reformative process that "we need to continue going through. This government does not fear change."

"While we kept the good we had from before last January, it is also a different government to the one we had last year."

Abela said that this is the fundamental difference between this government and every other administration over the past 40 years in Malta. "We are not arrogant, we believe in humility and our feet are firmly on the ground."

He spoke about how the government and the PL will continue with regeneration at every level. "The first key is youths, attracting more youths. Youth talent is incredible and we have never had such high quality talent than we have today." The second key, he said, is more female participation.

Prime Minister Abela spoke about the elderly and said that the PL will definitely not forget about them. He said that the budget focused on the elderly and those who struggled. "The secret of this government's success is to bring together the talents of youths, the elderly, men, women and all others into one movement."

He said that the elderly are valued and that they have a lot to contribute. "At the same time, I want to have the biggest youth cabinet in our history, and also the cabinet with the biggest female element in our history. Above all I want the most talented cabinet in or history."

"Here is my appeal to youths, I need you with me. This movement needs you with us and this country needs you... Youths are not just tomorrow's leaders, they are today's." He said he doesn't want to see youth and female participation in the wings, just helping in LEAD or in the party's youth organs. "I want your participation to be at the heart of our party, as candidates."

He said that he spent three years between 2017 to 2020 as an MP and professional and understands the challenges that come with such work. "But the country needs you. I want you as part of my team who will be leading the country in the next legislature. It is crucial that you will form the heart of the Cabinet that will need to lead the country to five of the best years... You must be at the centre of leadership."

He spoke about his vision for the next ten years. "At the centre of our vision are women and youths, as leaders and not participants. I will be there, but alone I cannot make it. Without women and youths we can't make it. I want participation through you going out as candidates."

He remembered former Qormi Mayor Renald Falzon, who passed away recently with COVID-19 last week.

"We lost a friend," he said. He passed on his condolences to Falzon's family, and said that he will respect and remember him forever.

The Prime Minister spoke about the recent agreement with Puttinu Cares, that will see a number of apartments bought in the centre of London, close by to hospitals where Maltese patients travel to for care. He praised Puttinu Cares for the work they have done over the years.

“Every year for 15 years, we will pass on £150,000 each year to Puttinu Cares over and above the €5 million given to Puttinu Cares through the agreement,” he said.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said that there is good news regarding the effectiveness of a possible vaccine and said that the date by which it will be made available draws ever closer.

He spoke about how the government made agreements to ensure Malta will have more than enough doses of the COVID-19 vaccine when it is made available, to ensure that "we will have for everyone."

He appealed for everyone to be cautious until the COVID-19 vaccine arrives. He spoke about the dedication of medical staff working in the ITUs. "Every one of us can make their work easier through our actions. Let us think of the elderly and the vulnerable. Let us be in solidarity with them."