Updated: Gonzi on Mosta walkabout, Sant submits nomination

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was on the campaign trail again this morning, meeting residents, shoppers and shop-keepers at Mosta in a visit hampered by pouring rain.

Dr Gonzi was accompanied by district PN candidates as he popped into the various shops, chatted with passersby and posed for photographs. He also had time for a coffee in one of the cafes.

Dr Gonzi said the commercial sector had expanded in recent years, with 700 new trading licences issued every year . He pointed out how the government had reduced the cost of trading licences and introduced other measures to benefit SMEs. For example, those working in their own family business could now be declared as employees for tax purposes. He also spoke about how tax cuts over the past two years had helped businesses and consumers and said the process will continue with the tax cuts across the board which the PN was promising for after the election.

Labour leader Alfred Sant gave a press conference this morning and then submitted his election nomination at the offices of the Electoral Commission in Valletta. He was accompanied by party deputy leaders Charles Mangion and Michael Falzon, who also handed in their papers. This is the first election to be contested by Dr Falzon.

Alternattiva Demokratika leader Harry Vassallo submitted his nomination later today.