The Nationalist Party put its leader Lawrence Gonzi at the heart of the first activity of its electoral campaign this evening, with large ‘Gonzi’ banners hanging from the stage and the balcony of the new hall at party headquarters for a rally attended by hundreds. Scores of young people wearing white ‘Gonzi' t-Shirts also crowded the stage.

In a 20 minute speech interrupted by applause Dr Gonzi said he wanted to urge the electorate to compare the PN with the MLP, and his government with Labour’s.

“Compare the state the country was in when Dr Sant called the election, to what it is now that I have called the election” Dr Gonzi said.

This, he said was a country greatly transformed over the past five years. Five years ago Malta was out of the EU, now it was an active participant within it. Five years ago the lira was the national currency, now the Maltese used the euro. Five years ago Maghtab had a stinking dump, now trees were being planted there. Five years ago Malta had St Luke’s, it now had Mater Dei Hospital.

March 8, he said, was important not only because it marked the fifth anniversary of the EU referendum, but it also recalled the “greatest betrayal” of the democratic process by Dr Sant, who refused to acknowledge that the Yes vote had emerged triumphant.

Dr Gonzi said the country had made progress across all fronts thanks to membership of the EU, which the MLP had opposed. Thanks to EU membership and the government’s strong emphasis on job creation, education and the environment, today’s generation and tomorrow’s had a better future. He also pointed out how job creation had reached record levels, pensioners were better off and all families with children were now receiving better children’s allowance.

He warned his supporters to take nothing for granted, in the same way as the government over the past five years, had taken nothing for granted.