Politicans across the political divide have paid tribute to the Labour stalwart Silvio Parnis and described their last moments by his bedside before he died, at the age of 57.
Parnis served as Paola mayor between 1994 and 1998 before winning a parliamentary seat in the fourth district. Throughout his 24 years in parliament, he gained a reputation as a grassroots politician, championing issues concerning the elderly.
His death was announced on Tuesday afternoon following a battle with cancer.
Former prime minister Joseph Muscat said he had made it by Parnis’ side just minutes before he died.
“When Michelle and I arrived by your side, we knew we were there for our last goodbyes, but we did not know we were there for your last breaths and you were to leave us only minutes later."
Muscat said that describing Parnis' political work as clientelism was a misrepresentation.
"You were there for those who didn't have a family to help them for the simplest this," he said.
"Some made fun of you for that but the people always responded," Muscat said, alluding to Parnis' high vote tallies in each of his five electoral campaigns.
Jason Azzopardi, a former PN MP who ran on Parnis’ district,...
