The PL managed to strengthen its majority in the southern and central localities and won a historic victory in Gozo but is also aiming at winning an absolute majority in the north, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this morning.

Speaking on the EP election in Nadur, Gozo, Dr Muscat said the labour movement has “re-written” the history books. “We have shown that the Labour movement was not a one-off, a coincidence. On Saturday the Maltese people confirmed that this country is changing. Politics as we know them have come to an end. The slogan Malta Taghna Lkoll is still valid,” said Dr Muscat. “Last Saturday’s vote was one of courage. People showed that they still believe in Labour’s message and manifesto.”

The Prime Minister said Labour had not only kept its majorities but actually strengthened them. “Residents of the South have chosen the PL, despite the Opposition’s tactics and propaganda. Every city and village in Malta is embracing Labour and its family oriented policies.” Dr Muscat also spoke of the “historic gains” made by Labour in the northern part of the island. “Just as the PL has been confirmed as the leading party in the south and central areas we want to see a clear PL majority in the north.” But it was Gozo that gave the Labour movement the biggest joy, said Dr Muscat. “Gozo is not some conservative colony. Gozitans have spoken and have also chosen the PL.”

 

EP and local council elections should be held on same day

The Prime Minister also suggested that the European Parliament and Local Council elections should be held on the same day, saving the country time and money. “We spend over €1 million a year on elections. It is time to bring these elections closer together,” said Dr Muscat, who noted that people are fed up of politics.

The Prime Minister also said the government will be announcing changes in the pensions sector. Private pension schemes will be encouraged through tax incentives and the pensionable age will not be raised. On the decriminalisation of drugs Dr Muscat reiterated his promise to fight big traffickers.

 

New MCAST campus in Gozo.

The Prime Minister also announced that the government will open a new, centralised MCAST campus in Gozo that will completely change the current system of having the different parts of the college spread around the island. The new MCAST campus will be one of a number of “big” government projects on the island, many of which will be aimed at creating new jobs. The government will also embark on a project to fight precarious employment and will implement changes to the public transport system.  

Turning to unemployment, Dr Muscat lauded the latest statistics, which he said showed another drop in those who register for work. “We have changed the direction of our labour market. More importantly, the number of registered unemployed is actually lower than it was in the last month of the last PN administration.”

 

Government competing with ‘weak’ Opposition - Camilleri

Clint Camilleri, who failed to clinch Labour’s fourth seat by only a couple of hundred votes, said the Maltese were, are and will keep backing the Labour government.

 “People have chosen the PL and have also chosen the three best candidates to represent them in the European Parliament.” He lauded Alfred Sant, Mirian Dalli and Marlene Mizzi, “who will make Malta proud in the EP.”

We are one people, said Mr Camilleri, and people are showing that the time for divisive politics has come to an end.

“The PL has become the first party in government to win this election. We have also been given a second mandate by the Maltese people in the space of a year.”

In a fiery speech, the PL candidate chided PN Leader Simon Busuttil for “consoling” in the fact that the PN has managed to win the third seat. “But the fact is that the government will from now on be competing with a weak opposition, one without a leadership and that can offer no alternative to the government. This is a movement that welcomes everyone, from every strata of society. It is a movement that makes no distinction between one person and the other, where everyone has the same opportunities,” said Mr Camilleri, to a loud round of applause.