Joseph Muscat yesterday sought to define the European Parliament election as a direct contest between the two leaders, but Simon Busuttil rejected that pitch, insisting the vote was a means of conveying a message to the government.

Speaking in the morning at Qormi, with the campaign becoming more strident as it enters its final week, the Prime Minister said this was not just an opportunity to approve the government’s work in its first year.

Nor was it only a choice between candidates for the European Parliament. It was also about which style of leadership – his or the Opposition leader’s – the electorate preferred.

He characterised the choice as between those who were not afraid to be decisive and those who abstained.

Later at the National Park at Ta’ Qali, where the Nationalist Party held its annual event for the family, Dr Busuttil said this was not a contest between the two. Whatever happened on Saturday, Dr Muscat would still be the Prime Minister for the next four years.

What the election provided was an opportunity for the people to convey a message against the government’s arrogance, he said.

He urged those who voted Labour for the first time last year to be aware that the Prime Minister was only after their vote so they should beware of being “deceived” for a second time.

The election was an important test for the party, he added, which had reorganised itself both administratively and financially.