Gonzi says Malta can overcome challenge posed by ST Microelectronics

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has criticised the Labour media over the way it is reporting the current difficulties at ST Microelectronics. He said it was shameful that the Labour media was seeking to instil doubt and discourage people instead of helping the country to address this national challenge, which, he said, Malta could overcome in a positive manner. Malta, he said, was working to ensure that the manufacturing sector had the conditions which would enable it to grow and create good jobs.

Speaking at the end of a meeting of the PN general council, Dr Gonzi said the country and the party were at the threshold of a new political era.

Referring to the MLP leadership election, he said he was concerned by repeated statements that the choice should be on who could achieve electoral victory for the MLP.

“Has politics been reduced to this? Since when, for serious people, has politics been reduced to achieving victory rather than service? I would, as a citizen, like to see a person who is able to lead, because the real test comes after victory, when the tough decisions have to be taken,” Dr Gonzi said.

He said the Nationalist Party was also going through a period of change, welcoming new people and fresh ideas, while also continuing to welcome the experience of the people who had served it for years.

He said the structures of the party needed to be reviewed to be better oriented to national needs.

He said the party should have structures focused on the environment, education and the economy, among others.

He also called on the president of the general council to invite all 39 candidates who had sought posts in the party executive committee to revisit the party document Network of Communication, drawn up 10 years ago, and, within a year, come up with a new document to guide the PN to electoral victory.

He said the PN needed to remain close to the people, and it therefore needed to review the way it could do so, to make the best use of new technology, including information technology.

The party, he said, had to remain open to all, as long as it continued to respect its values, not least the value of putting the human person at the heart of its policies.

Earlier, outgoing general secretary Joe Saliba was given a standing ovation as he addressed the council for the last time. He said he felt the party was stronger in its organisation, principles and vision.

Mr Saliba is to step down in the coming weeks after nine years as general secretary.