‘My word is a contract’: Borg’s rally ignites PN supporters in Mosta

MOSTA, Malta – The air was thick with anticipation as Nationalist Party (PN) supporters filled the square outside the Mosta Parish Church on Saturday evening. They were there to hear their leader, Bernard Grech, speak for the first time since his party’s disappointing performance in the recent local council elections.

Grech: ‘My word is a contract’

Grech, who took over the party leadership in 2020, addressed the crowd with a mix of humility and determination. He acknowledged the party’s electoral setback, saying, “We didn’t win, but we didn’t lose either. We’re still here, stronger than ever.” He then turned to his signature phrase, “My word is a contract,” reiterating his commitment to the party’s manifesto and his vision for Malta.

Grech’s speech was a blend of self-reflection and rallying cry. He admitted that the party had made mistakes but swiftly shifted the focus to the government’s handling of the economy and the environment. “While we were busy introspecting, they were busy spending,” he said, referring to the Labour government’s spending spree ahead of the elections.

PN supporters: ‘We’re not giving up’

Among the crowd was Maria, a long-time PN supporter from Qrendi. She said, “We’re disappointed, of course, but we’re not giving up. Bernard is right – we’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’ll start by holding this government accountable.” Her sentiment was echoed by many others present, who vowed to redouble their efforts in the lead-up to the next general election in 2024.

Another supporter, Joseph from Żebbuġ, was more critical. “We need to do better, no doubt about it. But we can’t forget that this government has been in power for over a decade. It’s time for a change, and we’re the ones who can make it happen.”

: The road to 2024

The PN’s next big challenge is the local council elections in 2023. Grech has already started preparing, appointing new council candidates and promising to “listen more, do better.” He also hinted at policy changes, saying, “We’ll be announcing some exciting new initiatives in the coming months. Stay tuned.”

As the rally drew to a close, Grech led the crowd in a chant of “PN, PN!” before ending with a quote from Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” The crowd cheered, ready to take on the challenge ahead.