Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi concluded the PN's election victory celebrations this evening by addressing a mass meeting where he promised to serve as prime minister of all the Maltese people.
"I promise to do my best, with my colleagues and with you, so that we can all move forward as one people where no one will lag behind and where all our children can succeed," Dr Gonzi told the mammoth crowd.
Dr Gonzi thanked all those who participated in the elections and placed a special emphasis on young people, urging them to be ever present with their ideas, suggestions and participation in society.
He also thanked rival party leaders and said he was proud to have competed with them in the service of the country.
"This was a fierce electoral campaign ..but let us not speak on who won and who lost, but about a country getting stronger and moving forward with all the people as one. If we as a people unite even when we disagree, that will make as stronger," Dr Gonzi said.
He said he would seek cooperation from the opposition so that they could together strengthen the decisions which needed to be taken in the interests of the country. He would also discuss ways to improve the electoral system in view of the flaws which became apparent in this election.
"Let us make a leap of quality in politics, let us push aside useless adjectives and personal attacks and concentrate on political substance" he said. "The people want us to set an example to all."
He said this appeal was being extended to the social partners and civil society in general, and he would seek to broaden dialogue with all concerned.
Dr Gonzi confirmed that the new Cabinet would be smaller and include new faces, and said the country faced major challenges stemming from international economic uncertainty and rising international prices. "I cannot wait to start facing these challenges," he said to applause.
"We will be a government which will continue to translate EU membership for the common good...we will work towards the Vision 2015 including the best medical services free of charge...a government which invests heavily in education where children do not repeat a class...and we also need to attract more job-creating foreign investment even for those who do not have high academic qualifications" Dr Gonzi said.
He promised that the government would implement its electoral programme, including achieving a budget surplus by 2010, cutting income tax, promoting business, creating jobs and using EU funds to improving the infrastructure and the environment and making the country more competitive.
Dr Gonzi said that over the next few days he would launch the process for MEPA reform, and he was calling on environment organisations to join the government to discuss sustainable development.
He also reiterated the government's commitment to social solidarity and said he would also work to ensure greater transparency in the administration.
Dr Gonzi described Gozo as Malta's diamond and said the government would keep its promise to make it an eco-island and a unique experience for visitors.
Picture: Darrin Zammit Lupi