Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi invites Joseph Muscat for meetings just between themselves on major issues in a debate being carried on timesofmalta.com today.

During the debate Dr Gonzi himself raises free public health services and illegal immigration, major issues in the PL election campaign but Dr Muscat insists that the Prime Minister cannot claim credibility when after promising that public healthcare would remain free, the government did not include this principle in the terms of reference for the report authors.

Dr Muscat plays down expectation that the PL will win four of the six EP seats which are up for grabs on Saturday and admits that his party has some difficulty in convincing the more Eurosceptic supporters to go out and vote.

Dr Gonzi says a major defeat for the PN is possible if Nationalist supporters do not bother to vote.

The Prime Minister distances himself from calls by one of the PN MEP candidates for sanctions against Libya over illegal immigration.

The calm exchange also had its lighter moments with both leaders extolling each other's virtues.

Dr Gonzi says Joseph Muscat has brought a different approach to politics from his predecessor Alfred Sant, while Dr Muscat highlights the Prime Minister's resilience in winning last year's election.

The debate can be viewed at http://www.timesofmalta.com/mepelections/view/20090531/news/video-debate-gonzi-muscat .