Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Robert Abela called on the electorate not to let “the establishment” claim victory due to voter abstention.

He said that Saturday’s vote goes beyond the European Parliament and Local Councils election, but is also a vote that should show whether we want the country to continue implementing the PL’s 1,000 proposal general election manifesto.

“We must choose whether to give a vote of confidence to the government that speaks concretely, or to choose the arrogance of the opposition that in this election campaign has spoken about almost nothing,” Abela said.

Abela was speaking in an event in San Gwann, by offering condolences to the family of Joseph Muscat for the loss of Salvu Muscat, the former Prime Minister’s father.

He mentioned that the Labour Government has a clear plan on how it will help the people, with a thousand proposals for the future of Malta, many of which, he said, have already been implemented, ten European principles, and a plan for every locality.

To accomplish all this, a strong vote is needed on June 8 so that the government can continue to implement reforms, build on the good, and where necessary, introduce reforms, he said.

The Labour Leader said that the government’s work has not stopped and this is work that will be strengthened. Much has been achieved with the first two budgets of the legislature, the third will be even stronger. “And this is not because there is an election next year,” Abela said.

He said that the government would be fulfilling the promised tax reduction, which will mean that parents who earn up to €1,000 a month will no longer pay taxes. This is a measure that will leave up to almost €600 a year in the pockets of middle-class families, he said, calling it the largest tax cut ever done by any government, without removing any of what is currently in place.

He said that the measure will be included in the upcoming Budget.

“Next Saturday, what matters is who will give a bit of their time and go to vote. And until the votes are cast, the parties are nothing. Some people wish that we rely on some survey results. We should not do that. Because the real decisions are taken on Saturday,” Abela said.

He said that people will have to choose between offering a sign of confidence in the government or choosing the politics of arrogance and austerity of the Opposition.