Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today said that he has to take decisions “on an hourly basis,” and the population wants politicians who are able to decide and accept criticism for those decisions.

“You have to be able to say the buck stops here. I have never had the luxury not to take a decision and abstain,” Dr Muscat said during a political activity in Mosta.

He said that in just one year, the government has already completed over one-third of its electoral pledges, saying that he has hit the ground running from day one.

“The reduction in energy tariffs is just one of many promises.  We have not broken one single promise. We are keeping our word with the population,” Dr Muscat said.

The PM was at pains to stress his economic record after one year in government, saying that Malta has witnessed a four-fold increase in economic growth while other countries in Europe are seeing declines.

“In one year, for every job lost, nine have been created,” Dr Muscat said. 

He said the government will be offering incentives to those who save and encouraging the young to save up for a “rainy day.”

He said that inflation is down to just one percent, and for the first time in years wage growth has outstripped the cost of living.

Dr Muscat pointed out that the European Parliament elections are not about “something isolated,” but can influence the course of important policies such as those on migration.

Dr Muscat said that the Socialist European Commission President hopeful Martin Schulz has proposed a system of legal migration based on burden sharing among all the 28 member states.

Not everyone will be let in, Dr Muscat said, but after a proper screening process those escaping war and persecution will be offered asylum and protection.

He urged people to vote for Labour MEP candidates if they want Mr Schulz to take action on immigration in Europe. Staying at home, he said, will be sending a message to Europe to keep on dragging its feet he said.

“Martin Schulz is one of us, he wants good for Malta. Mr Schulz will push for a common policy on immigration and will make a difference to the way Maltese people live through immigration,” Dr Muscat said.

Illegal immigration he said, just results in more money being channelled to criminal gangs.

Referring to former Labour MEP candidate Cyrus Engerer, Dr Muscat said that attacks on individuals will only results in more unity within the Party.