People unconvinced on boundaries extensions - Sant

The government is realising that its political hypocrisy was not convincing the people so much so that Environment Minister George Pullicino felt the need to hold a press conference even after the parliamentary debate on the extensions of development zones, Labour leader Alfred Sant said yesterday.

Dr Sant told supporters at a social activity that the extensions were intended for the Nationalist Party to honour its debts with many people who were close to the party so that it would be able to finance the forthcoming general election.

This was done to the detriment of the national and environmental interest, he added.

The biggest responsibility and blame for the prevailing institutionalised corruption which was being tolerated if not promoted by the PN fell on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Dr Sant said.

Dr Gonzi had promised a new style of politics but was delivering politics aimed to assist "friends of friends", as used to be done in the past, Dr Sant added.