“How can anyone claim to be giving us a free health service? Nothing is free. Do people know that part of the national insurance contribution goes towards the health sector, and so does part of the earnings made from VAT? In fact VAT was charged at 15 per cent but now it has been raised to 18 per cent in order to sustain the health services. Are the PN and MLP able to guarantee in any way that the next administration will not increase any of the taxes, including VAT, even further?” asked Azzjoni Nazzjonali leader Josie Muscat yesterday.

AN have said that after 16 years of Socialist administration, followed by 20 years of Nationalist administration, the result has been that some good was done, however like everything in life we have had to pay a price for this, and now the price has become so high that all the good that was done is at risk.

“The compromises that it has had to do along the years has led the PN to lose its soul. Its vision has blurred, and many favours have been made which eroded the party’s spine, and it appears that what was honest has been weakened,” said Dr Muscat.

AN said they cannot but mention the large number of scandals that have come to the surface in so many departments, the lack of faith in the process of justice, political leadership and the administration in general, as well as the suspicions of corruption that are linked with every project made by this government.

AN wants to see Parliament and the ministries reduced in size, and certain departments such as the VAT Department and the Income Tax Department fused together, so as to cut down on extra costs for which the population is paying, and they believe that the President needs to be assisted by a State Council. The party is also proposing that the pension must not be less than 60 per cent of the average wage with immediate effect, in order to make sure that at least 5,000 pensioneers no longer suffer poverty.

AN also believe there must be a law to protect the honest citizen when he reveals a case of corruption or maladministration; every person with a public finction must be accountable for his actions; and businessmen must be allowed to work according to law, without too much interference, and obstacles placed in their way.