Vote for the PN "is a vote for Malta" - PM

A new Nationalist government would work with all organisations irrespective of their political beliefs, the prime minister said yesterday.

Replying to questions by journalists, Eddie Fenech Adami said the negotiation process with the EU had taught the government a very important lesson.

"When we were preparing the negotiating positions, we put under scrutiny the way the government works and consulted a wide spectrum of organisations, many of which had never been in contact with the government before.

"The EU taught us how to work with civil society and involve organisations in the decision-making process. It was a lesson we learnt and we shall continue doing this when elected to government irrespective of the political beliefs of those involved in these organisations," Dr Fenech Adami said.

Dr Fenech Adami said his government would chart the future based on consensus. "People will help us do what we have to do," he said.

Referring to the latest proposal by the Labour Party to exempt people from paying two months' tax, Dr Fenech Adami said a politician had to be credible and serious, and should "not come out with such gimmicks".

"Such statements are the result of the confusion that reigns in a panic-stricken MLP. The more time passes, the more Dr Sant is realising that he does not have a national movement backing him," he said.

Dr Fenech Adami said the electoral campaign has been going on for three weeks and the party manifestos have been published.

Now, several days later, Labour leader Alfred Sant "comes out with this gimmick. He is improvising and this is not serious of him. If he really had a serious programme about income tax reforms, he would have published it in the electoral manifesto," he said.

Dr Fenech Adami said Dr Sant was saying that this would cost Lm25 million.

"So he's throwing away Lm81 million the EU would be giving us with membership, as well as these Lm25 million. Where will he get the money to substitute this?" Dr Fenech Adami asked.

It was easy for Dr Sant to say he would be saving money because by not joining the EU, one need not have to pay any EU-related expenses.

"So will he undo the Health and Safety Authority, or the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, or the Resources Authority? All are doing valuable work. And what about the people working there? Will he change the Industrial Relations Act, which gave workers so many rights?" he asked.

Dr Fenech Adami also referred to Dr Sant's statements about "trimming HSBC's role in the economy".

"Such statements create more uncertainty. The April 12 election is about bread and butter issues. Will there be investment and faith in the country? Will our quality of life be better?

"If the MLP gets elected and Dr Sant refuses to sign the accession treaty, as he is saying, the news around the world would be that 'Malta says no', and we would be throwing away what we have built over the past four years, dealing a big blow to those working in all sectors, from tourism to industry.

"It would be an unprecedented disaster that we have not experienced before. That is why a vote for the PN is a vote for Malta and everyone would win from it," he said.