One day before early-voting starts in Malta, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is still refusing interviews with the independent press. Times of Malta, Malta Independent and Malta Today have all confirmed with Lovin Malta that their interview requests have not been responded to.

“We got absolutely no response to multiple requests,” said Sunday Times of Malta editor Mark Wood. Asked if he remembered an election where such interviews were not accepted, Wood said: “No. Another example of the extraordinary nature of this election.”

“They are refusing us too,” said Malta Independent’s content director Pierre Portelli.

MaltaToday’s news editor Matthew Vella wasn’t much more hopeful: “Didn’t get confirmation from Office of Prime Minister yet.”

Lovin Malta has asked both leaders of the political parties for an interview. Opposition leader Simon Busuttil accepted the interview which will be aired this week. The Prime Minister has declined. Asked about why no interviews have taken place, Dr Muscat’s spokesman said there were still 10 days until the election campaign ended.

Dr Muscat yesterday also failed to attend the traditional Broadcasting Authority debate. He sent Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis to appear on his behalf. The Prime Minister also refused to attend a debate that Times of Malta, Malta Independent and MaltaToday were planning to host together on Monday, sources told Lovin Malta.

However, Muscat has accepted to debate Busuttil during Xarabank tomorrow night. The two leaders already faced each other in a Xarabank debate before the election was called.

What do you make of this all? Tell us in the comments below.