The PL will face an uphill struggle in the upcoming European Parliament election but the message is getting across, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this evening.

Speaking at a PL activity in Zejtun, Dr Muscat said that there is a clear-cut difference between the two parties, such as in the energy sector. “People realise that this is a genuine government that has already brought big changes to their lives. I did not vote to raise energy tariffs. On the contrary I decreased them so that families can have more money in their pockets. Energy bills do not show up among people’s concerns in surveys anymore.”

The Labour Leader insisted that “those who do not vote will only be doing favours to the Leader of the Opposition.”

On unemployment, Dr Muscat said that maybe the PL government is not creating enough jobs but it is certainly doing better than the last PN administration. The Prime Minister spoke on the Youth Guarantee and said that this scheme would help low-skilled unemployed youths have better job prospects.

The Prime Minister noted that the government had managed to reduce the country’s deficit to 2.8% of GDP. Whilst admitting that the national debt increased, Dr Muscat argued that it had increased at a much lower rate than what used to happen under the PN.

A successful economy is not only measured in numbers but also by the way people are directly affected. “Energy tariffs will be cut by an average of 25% but many families will actually benefit from reductions that are closer to 30%.”

Dr Muscat also spoke on the €400 grant that will be given to families that are at risk of poverty but said that a monitoring system will ensure that their children do not miss school. “This move might prove to be unpopular with some but I would rather lose votes than a child’s education.”

On free childcare, Dr Muscat said that the government will initially be forking out €4 million a year but it will eventually balance out the costs because more people will start working and more income tax will be collected.  

On Gozo Dr Muscat said that the government had embarked on a cruise liner terminal and a yacht marina project to create jobs. Internal tourism is also being boosted, especially during the winter months. This is boosting business in Gozo.

The Prime Minister said that the PN is saying many things on the economy but it is not exactly a credible source. “If they want people to believe them they should first start paying their employees.”

PL EP candidates Cyrus Engerer and Ivan Grixti, and economist Alfred Mifsud also addressed the event.