Nationalist Party general secretary Joe Saliba talks about billboards, Cabinet reshuffles and his own future. As the election campaign officially gets underway tomorrow, Mr Saliba tells Herman Grech that there is only one suitable man for the top job at Castille.

Will the PN's electoral manifesto spring any surprises?

There should not be any particular surprises. The electoral manifesto is ready and once the Prime Minister announces the election we will submit it to the party's executive for approval. The Prime Minister has already presented his 2015 vision, outlining his six targets. Our manifesto is not about winning votes.

Will the issue of divorce be broached?

In the past five years we excelled in sectors like the economy, employment and health. For the next five years, the Government needs to find ways and means of strengthening the family.

So will divorce be factored in?

I don't separate the issue of family and marriage... I have no doubt this matter (divorce) is going to be debated. Parties need to discuss these issues.

If you look back at the past five years, what is your biggest regret?

We were too hands-on and I think both the Government and the party could have communicated more with the electorate. We could have explained better that certain policies were for the long-term benefit of the country. For example, with the euro introduction, perhaps we failed to explain enough the importance of introducing this currency, so some people feared price rises. However, people then realised that the fears fanned by (Labour leader) Alfred Sant failed to materialise. Our billboards' message - 'together, everything is possible' - is the best message we can convey.

Your party billboard campaign has drawn accusations of plagiarising Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential campaign.

I think that's incorrect. If people look back they will realise that Lawrence Gonzi's slogan when he was campaigning for party leader was: 'together, we will meet our targets'...

But there are way too many similarities between the two billboards. You even superimposed the same green countryside in the background against the blue sky.

It's purely coincidental. The posters will keep changing anyway, as you will see this week.

So do you deny resorting to Sarkozy's campaign for inspiration?

We definitely didn't!

It's evident that the PN is pushing Lawrence Gonzi to promote its campaign. Is he your only trump card?

Let's word it differently: It's a fact that it's the electorate, and not the party, which wants Gonzi as the face of this campaign. All the data we have show that Lawrence Gonzi is a trusted man. People believe he's a hands-on prime minister who has attained a lot in the time he's been in office.

But the Government is not made up of just one person.

The Government is made up of the entire population. On its own, the Government wouldn't have attained such results.

How come the ministers are not being used to promote the PN's campaign?

The PN will make use of all its candidates. In a campaign you have to present a team.

Is the party proud of the ministers in Cabinet?

The party is proud of the Government's achievements. It's proud of joining the EU, solving the deficit problem, of the progress made in schools, the road improvements, the introduction of the euro... This doesn't mean there aren't things that could have been done better or that we've done everything. You have to look at the entire package.

What changes would you have carried out?

I wish I could answer this question. I once replied to a similar question and I came across as trying to assume the role of Prime Minister. I can't answer that question.

Do you regret the fact that the Prime Minister has never reshuffled his Cabinet?

I don't think it's an issue any longer. There will definitely be a reshuffle after the election.

Don't you think the PN would have been more popular at this stage if some ministers were changed?

I don't think so.

Why?

The Prime Minister's decision to continue with the same team was a good one. In the circumstances, it was the best way for the country and the Government to operate.

So if it was the best way forward, why is the PN making it clear there will be a reshuffle after the coming election?

After the election we'll start a new chapter. We don't know who is going to be elected and who isn't. We have a new team of candidates. The Prime Minister made it clear that nobody is guaranteed anything. The most difficult decision for any prime minister is to choose his Cabinet.

Have you discussed potential ministers after the coming election?

I am not consulted on these matters.

But you're saying there will be changes.

The Prime Minister is free to choose people he believes are best to run the country. As a party, we promoted new faces in the front-line at a number of activities.

Are we to assume that those who are appearing side-by-side with the Prime Minister in meetings with the social partners have a headstart?

They have to be elected first.

What are the polls indicating for the PN?

Polls will not give you the full picture. You have to carry out different studies to get the complete picture. If you ask me about the PN's chances of winning the next election, I would say that if people turn out to vote, if they acknowledge this Government's work, and if they realise that the 'new beginning' promised by Labour is no new beginning at all, they will choose the Nationalist Party. This doesn't mean that the PN doesn't need to speak to everybody and hold activities to convince people that it is a fresh and dynamic party.

Has there been a shift in the number of undecided voters?

Every survey you commission will always yield undecided voters. This time there seem to be more undecided voters, but these figures are dwindling as we approach the election. The PN is in a good position.

Does it mean that the number of undecided people are now moving in the direction of the PN?

It was obvious from the beginning that those who had not yet made up their mind were traditionally Nationalist voters.

What can you do at this late stage to lure reluctant supporters?

We will continue with our home visits. We will continue explaining to the electorate that we have the best vision for the country.

Are people bothering to listen?

I think so. People don't seem to be concerned about this legislature. Everyone acknowledges this dynamic government - we've had the best tourism results ever, unemployment is at an all-time low, the finances are the healthiest we've ever had. And people are bound to ask who will provide them the best life for the coming five years - they want certainty - and only Gonzi can guarantee that. On the other hand, Sant is saying he will re-open the EU negotiations, the Labour Party is suggesting that children should repeat a year in primary school. They are guaranteeing uncertainty. Nevertheless, we still need to mobilise people.

The PN doesn't have the luxury of jumping on the EU membership bandwagon in this election.

In the 1998 and 2003 elections, the Labour Party said it would win the election and it didn't. Every election is different and difficult. You can't take anything for granted. Every vote matters and anyone who chooses to stay at home on polling day is taking away a vote from the PN. Let's remember that in Malta, just a few thousand votes make the difference. People need to ask whether they should trust Gonzi, who has revamped the country, or Sant who wrought havoc in the economy in his short time in government.

To what extent has Sant's surgery derailed your electoral campaign?

Apart from the human aspect, the surgery didn't have an impact. It doesn't seem to have caused any sympathy shift towards Labour or deterred anybody from voting for the MLP. People nowadays vote for somebody who can give them the best guarantee for the next five years.

There are claims that some top PN officials are urging voters not to vote for Labour because of Sant's health condition.

I deny it outright.

How do you personally see his situation?

I can't comment on the health aspect. I leave that to the doctors. Dr Sant is the leader of a team, which is playing the game - and we will play the game to the full.

Do you fear Alternattiva Demokratika and Azzjoni Nazzjonali?

It's about respecting your opponent and I don't ignore them since they can make a difference to us. Any vote for them is a potential blow for us. But we don't fear anybody.

Will you be dissuading supporters from giving their second preference to any of these two parties?

We will tell people to give their first preference to the PN. The way the constitutional and electoral amendments have been drawn up places importance on the No. 1 vote. As general secretary, I will tell people to give that to the PN.

Is the PN prepared to form a coalition with any of the small parties if they get a seat in Parliament, and if nobody gets an absolute majority?

It would be presumptuous of me to answer this question because we haven't discussed it within the party. Of course, it will have to be discussed if the result so demands.

Do you think it's a reality that no party will win an absolute majority?

Without sounding disrespectful towards the other parties, I think the fight is mainly between the MLP and the PN. We'd be dreaming if we believed otherwise.

What do you plan to do after the election?

I will not remain general secretary. I personally don't think anybody should assume this post for more than two legislatures. It's healthy for parties to change faces. However, I will continue to help the party to the best of my ability. I also think that any party leader who loses three elections shouldn't remain in the post. It's unheard of anywhere in the world.

Are you ruling out a possible post at Castille if PN wins another term?

I'm not cut out for such a role. I've been asked this by reporters several times. So much has been written about me assuming some top post at Castille. But I've said it, and I will say it again - that role is not made for me.

Should Gonzi remain leader if the PN loses?

Let's try and work towards re-electing Gonzi. He has worked, he has delivered the results. Let's work to elect him again.

It's a possibility that Gonzi won't be re-elected.

Let's work towards getting him re-elected. I will work to make him Prime Minister again.