Thousands show up for Ajkla meeting

Perhaps it was not the “biggest ever” mass meeting in Malta as Nazzareno Bonniċi had anticipated, but thousands of people turned up to cheer the Tal-Ajkla independent candidate in front of the Żabbar parish church yesterday afternoon.

“Not even Alternattiva Demokratika has as many people as I have before me today,” Mr Bonnici said from atop the stage, flanked by ornamental golden eagles which bore a stark resemblance to the United States’ national emblem.

Despite the poor sound system which made it difficult to understand what he was saying, the enthusiastic crowds cheered him on relentlessly, bearing placards with ‘In Ajkla we trust’.

Some ‘supporters’ took it a step further by painting an elaborate eagle upon their faces and even turning up in a complete eagle costume with outstretched wings.

Green and yellow balloons added to festive atmosphere, as the crowd reacted wildly to Mr Bonnici’s proposals.

“I will halve the cost of living,” he said, clutching a statue of an eagle which he thrust into the air.

Among his proposals, which went viral on the social media in a matter of minutes, he mentioned the development of a village on Comino and a bridge connecting Gozo to Malta.

He expressed shock at the nudist beaches proposal of the Liberal Party, whose sole candidate is, like himself, contesting the second district.

He also reiterated his proposal for a sea-water operated power station.

“And apart from that, the salt will be sold,” he added, to chants of “Żaren”.

He appealed to the inner harbour region to vote for him, saying he might be organising another two mass meetings in Gozo and on the Granaries in Floriana.

“You need people like me who speak up. Don’t let the other parties fool you,” he concluded, as he was lifted on shoulders.

Several of those present turned up for a light-hearted take on the political duelling.

“I won’t be voting for him, but he’s a great tension-reliever in the midst of a heated political campaign,” Sephora Zammit from Xgħajra said.

However, he has definitely found one voter: “He’s gutsy and should be taken seriously,” a man said.