Moviment Patrijotti Maltin (abbreviated as MPM ; literally „Maltese Patriots Movement“) is a nationalist and anti-immigrant political party in Malta . It was founded in April 2016 as the political wing of the anti-immigration group Għaqda Patrijotti Maltin. [2] The party has been described as far-right for its opposition to immigration and Islam in Malta . [1]
Since its foundation, the leader has always been Henry Battistino who is a major influence on the party’s agenda. It is an anti-establishment party, and opposes multiculturalism . Party members have shown hostility to Maltese journalists and reporters.
History
The MPM was founded on April 8, 2016 and is in the process of becoming a political party under the Financing of Political Parties Act . [2] [5] In the 2017 Maltese general election, the party failed to elect any candidate in parliament.
Positions
MPM opposes the integration of migrants into the Maltese society, calling for European Union funds allocated to Malta for the purpose of the benefit of Maltese people and for Malta to no longer be a member of the Schengen Area . [6]
The party has opposed the presence of Islam in Malta . At an October 2016 protesters led by the party against the possible opening of a Muslim prayer room in Buġibba , leader Henry Battistino called for a national registry of Muslims and compared Muslim immigrants to rabbits breeding excessively. [7] Stephen Florian, an MPM party official, also spoke at the protest and stated that he believed that Roman Catholicism should only have one place of worship in the country. [8] Florian later caused controversy when he went to counter-protestor from the Buġibba protest as a transgender. [9]
MPM is frequently hostile towards media and the Maltese establishment, with Battistino referring to the media as traitors that are trying to „force [integration] down everyone’s throats“. [7] The party’s sister organization, Għaqda Patrijotti Maltin, was the subject of a complaint from the Institute of Maltese Journalists for Protecting Obstacles from Doing Their Jobs. [10]
Election results
General elections
| Election | Leader | votes | % | seats | +/- | Position | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Henry Battistino | 1,117 | 0.36 |
0/67
|
New | 5th | extra-parliamentary |
References
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Sansone, Kurt (18 December 2016). „Expect a long ballot sheet next general election“ . Times of Malta . Retrieved 15 January 2017 .
- ^ Jump up to:a b c „Min Aħna“ . Moviment Patrijotti Maltin (in Maltese). 1 April 2016 . Retrieved 15 January 2017 .
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d Tim Deacon. „Far-right leaders make a pitch for ‚traditional Maltese, Christian values ‚ “ . MaltaToday . Retrieved 29 May 2017 .
- Jump up^ Yannick Pace (4 January 2017). „On the right, Maltese conservatives still unable to find common ground“ . MaltaToday . Retrieved 29 May 2017 .
- Jump up^ „FINANCING OF POLITICAL ACT PARTIES“ . January 1, 2016 . Retrieved 15 January 2017 .
- Jump up^ „Patriotic Moviment Maltin call for referendum on integration“ . The Malta Independent . 30 December 2016 . Retrieved 15 January 2017 .
- ^ Jump up to:a b Schembri, Gabriel; Bonnici, Julian (9 October 2016). “ ‚ You’re all dirty‘ demonstrator remarks during protest against Bugibba prayer room“ . The Malta Independent . Retrieved 15 January 2017 .
- Jump up^ Leone Ganado, Philip (9 October 2016). „Prayer is a human right, self-proclaimed patriots told during protest“ . Times of Malta . Retrieved 15 January 2017 .
- Jump up^ „Official Patrijotti Stephen Florian apologized for outing transgender person“ . Times of Malta . 16 October 2016 . Retrieved 15 January 2017 .
- Jump up^ „IĠM asks for steps to be taken against“ patriots „who obstructed journalists while on duty“ . TVM News . 18 January 2016 . Retrieved 15 January 2017 .