Election was 'worse than we wished for, but better than expected' - Gonzi
PM to urge ministers to keep making house visits - Cabinet reshuffle 'only if in the national interest'
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this evening that he viewed the result of the European Parliament elections as "worse than we wished for but better than expected."
Speaking at a press conference, Dr Gonzi said he acknowledged that the election was an opportunity for different sectors of society to express a protest vote against the government by not voting.
The PN, he said, was in government at a difficult time when difficult decisions had to be taken in the interest of the country, not the party. He knew that such decisions had badly affected some people.
Factors such as immigration had weighed heavily on the voters' minds, he said. The people, however, also did not wish this to become a political football.
Jobs were another important issue. The country was being buffeted by the international economic crisis. The PN itself had put jobs as a major plank of its electoral campaign and had promised that the government would continue to safeguard jobs, and encourage job creation. This sector included the concerns of public transport workers, but here too, the government had to seek the nation interest, which in this case meant a better service to the people, while considering the interests of the people.
Another issue was the utility rates. He was shouldering his political responsibilities because it was his duty to safeguard the national interest, whatever the political price. This too was related to safeguarding jobs.
Dr Gonzi said the electoral result was better than expected given the context of the current economic environment. Indeed, the electoral campaign was difficult for all EU governments, as the electoral results elsewhere showed.
At one time, Dr Gonzi said, the PN feared that even its second seat could be in jeopardy, although it now appeared to be safe.
In the poll the PN got practically the same percentage of the vote as in 2004, despite a bigger number of voters. The PL saw its percentage share rise to about 56% and it appeared that AD had substantially lost its share.
At one time, Dr Gonzi said, it as also feared that turnout would drop to some 75 percent and the PN had seen its own vote projections at 35 percent, but then it achieved 40 percent, which also reflected a response to the messages of the campaign.
One needed to understand the sentiment of the voters and move on, Dr Gonzi said. The country should now unite to tackle its challenges according to the national priorities.
One should remove doubts planted in the election. Health, for example, would be free. But the priority needed to be jobs, modernisation, improving the business climate for SMEs, improving the environment including alternative sources of energy.
Malta now needed to start a new chapter. The government had a five-year mandate of which a year was past. In the coming four years the PN was determined to realise its electoral promises for the benefit of the people.
Dr Gonzi said that while turnout was down 3 percent, he welcomed the fact that it was among the highest in the EU. All of Malta should be proud of this.
Dr Gonzi said that once the MEPs were know, he would invite them all to Castille so that, as was done five years ago, they could discuss how they would work together in the various European Parliament committees.
Replying to questions, the Prime Minister said the government would remain sensitive to the people's concerns. "The people's verdict has to be respected and the people's concerns need to be eased through solutions, not by ignoring the problems," Dr Gonzi said.
Asked what the government would do differently, Dr Gonzi said the PN needed to be closer to the people. The experience of the ministers and MPs calling at people's homes had been useful and he would seek ways how this experience could be kept up throughout the legislature.
Asked whether he would reshuffle the Cabinet, Dr Gonzi said this was his prerogative as Prime Minister and he would act according to the national interest.
"If I feel that is in the national interest, I will take that decision, if not, I will not."
Ask if he felt he was in office, but not in power, Dr Gonzi said he felt in full control of the situation. It was a difficult situation, he said, especially of the world crisis, but he took courage from the country's capabilities. The PN had suffered several electoral defeats in the local councils as well, but then the people chose the PN to run the country according to its electoral programme. The PN, he said would keep its promises while tackling the country's problems. The current situation meant some promises could not be implemented immediately, but they would be once the situation improved.
He was therefore in office, and in power, Dr Gonzi said.
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Colin Camilleri
Jun 9th 2009, 17:22
Election was 'worse than we wished for, but better than expected' - Gonzi
So what were you expecting Dr. Gonzi? a complete white wash? because it is 4-2 against you HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
Can't say the same for Vince Farrugia - the man has got vision. 5 out of 5 he said, did he? Hahahahahaha
Charles Busuttil
Jun 9th 2009, 12:23
"... but better than expected."
Does this include Mr Vince Farrugia's vieews???
Were I a member of the GRTU I would demand his resignatiion. How can anyone preside over a union who is so near sighted (if not completely blind) to such a situation?
Dr Patrick Attard
Jun 8th 2009, 03:17
maybe the Prime Minister himself should be shuffled and not his Ministers - till we remain under GONZIpn a significant number of people will still be trampled on and their rights completely forgotten. Our Prime-Minister reminds me more of Archbishop Gonzi - who was even against the decriminalisation of homosexuality. Maybe he should go back to head the Azzjoni Kattolika and leave the country in more competent and compassionate hands.
Marco Cremona
Jun 8th 2009, 00:37
good analysis, John Schembri. I too fear a bigger dose of arrogance. While it is generally a good thing to maintain electoral promises, I would prefer if some (silly) promises were dropped, and especially if delivering promises within the stipulated deadlines means more bull-dozing over the people's rights and opinions.
I think we can forget proper consultation from now on.
Enzo Caruana
Jun 8th 2009, 00:33
"worse than we wished for but better than expected."
Can Gonzi plese explain his thoughts a little bit clearer? The gentleman is in a very serious dilemma. He is caught between "wishes" and "expectations" not realising that the electorate is soveriegn. Primo, this massive poltical win for Labour has spelt two things very clearly. Gonzi Pn has been outvoted and does not enjoy the support of the Maltese electorate anymore. Secundo Joseph Muscat and has laid down to rest the issue of our EU membership. The majority of the Maltese electorate voted for Joseph Muscat and his MEP candidates to represent tem in Europe. In conclusion, Lawrence Gonzi and the Nationalist Party must call an elction as early as possible if he really wants to know if hthe wafer thin mandate he won in last year's general elections still means anything
Joseph Micallef
Jun 8th 2009, 00:23
I wouldn't be too smug about saying the people chose the PN. A very slim relative majority chose the PN, and today's result show clearly that the people are not behind the government. Is there anything in this man's words saying other than "we are right no matter what, full steam ahead"? Where is the humility one would expect in this sort of situation from a true leader, one in touch with the people? I can safely say if this is what the party has come to, I'll not be voting Nationalist again for a long time, general election or other, and I regret having done so in the past. GonziPN indeed. And he really expects us to believe the increase in W&E was to safeguard jobs?
Galea. L
Jun 8th 2009, 00:04
Ernest Vella, Gianninu Saliba
Don't bet on it chaps.
John Schembri
Jun 7th 2009, 23:57
My worry is another, while I see justice done by this result. We now have a party in power with nothing to lose. A party in power for 22 years for whom the bell must toll sooner or later. The writing on the wall for the PN is clear. We could well have 4 years ahead of extreme arrogance, since the outcome of this defeat will be difficult to reverse in 4 years time, and a make hay while the sun shines attitude must prevail. It will take far more than Renzo Piano constructions to pull the wool over people's eyes next time, but watch out for Gonzi's next moves. The absence of humility in the PM's statements are cause for great concern.
Conway Wigg
Jun 7th 2009, 23:13
"Indeed, the electoral campaign was difficult for all EU governments, as the electoral results elsewhere showed." - Regarding Dr Gonzi's comment on the impact of the economy, it seems that in a lot of countries (France, Germany, Italy etc ) which obviously have also been badly affected by the economic crisis, the governments are actually doing very well. So the electoral results elsewhere are not showing that the economic conditions made the campaign difficult for all EU governments.
Ernest Vella
Jun 7th 2009, 22:43
Gonzi is not MLP and therefore he will learn for this...see you in 4 years time...I don't agree with progressive coalition...that is a dangerous philosophy for who know history knows what does that mean...a country without values
Kenneth Galea
Jun 7th 2009, 22:30
@C Zarb
Very sensible comment and you share my thoughts. Dr Gonzi the Maltese people have now confirmed that they are fed up of your policies, you are ignoring the national interest and accepting thousands of illegal immigrants. Dr Gonzi mentioned illegal immigration first in this article as one of people's concerns. You are too right Dr Gonzi and if one single boat of criminals/illegal immigrants enter our shores this summer it is guaranteed you will NOT win ever again. Start listening to the Maltese people and not the UNHCR and the NGO's, these were responsible for your poor performance in the MEP elections.
laurence schembri
Jun 7th 2009, 22:20
I quote: "Another issue was the utility rates, etc, etc,...this too was related to safeguarding jobs"
This is another clanger by the PM, so in otherwords he is telling us that the single pensioner saw his utility rates explode to safeguard jobs, silly me, I thought it was the price of oil, that is exactly what he and Austin Gatt been telling us for the past twelve months.
Now that 7000 jobs has been created and the flow of redundancies wained, the obvious question one ask is: When will I as a single householder see my utility rates drop to a reasonable level? Why am I being taxed to save jobs? It is the government `s job to see that jobs are safe by alternative means and not by levying my W&E, plus a hefty charge on both meters which is there to say. In total honesty, I hate to say this; Governance in total dissaray and the citizen is being made to pay for it. It is not a reshuffle that we need, but an election.
John Micallef
Jun 7th 2009, 22:20
Ermm.....where was Frank Portelli........missing in action ? Come on Frank, as you said your adverts...let's be frank (and admit defeat!)
etienne grima
Jun 7th 2009, 22:12
Well i always voted for nationalist party, but this year i refrained from voting. my electricity bill ammounted to 400 euros, my monthly wage is 800 euros, not to mention i have a house loand and, last month i didnt money for my personal needs. gonzi should think his decision wisely next time, because he dosent pay his bills, we do. now after all this trouble i have to start searching for a new car my car is 9.5 years old and with the next insurance renual the price will go sky high. to cut the story short. im working for the needs of gonzi and not myself. sorry gonzi you have lost my vote.
Francis Attard
Jun 7th 2009, 22:11
Tibqax tghaddi n-nies biz-zmien Dr.Gonzi. Il-messagg l-elettorat ghaddih diversi drabi u minkejja dan qatt ma sar xejn. U ghaliex qed tghid li ser tinkoraggixxi lill ministri biex ikomplu l-'house visits' meta inti jkun hemm min jiktiblek dwar abbuzi f'dipartiment tal-gvern, u l-anqas biss tirrispondih lura?
A.Gauci Cunningham
Jun 7th 2009, 21:50
"Jien inbaxxi rasi ghad-decizjoni tal-poplu".....u mela vera baxxuta qieghda rasu!! Why doesnt Gonzi admit that he took whole sectors of society for a ride!! Thats why Gonzi lost the election, because people have lost trust in him and a politician is like a vase; once broken it can never be completely intact and good as new!! sorry Gonzi we believed you once and I and many many others will never do it again!!
J Fenech
Jun 7th 2009, 21:50
@john borg
I'm a former pn voter too; instead of that, you should have voted for a right wing party; they made significant gains elsewhere in europe! it would have sent a louder message
Ivan Tabone
Jun 7th 2009, 21:49
Can someone illuminate us where is Dr. Frank Portelli? Those who voted for him should know why he was the only candidate absent. And please, no beating about the bush - let's be Frank...
Gianninu Saliba
Jun 7th 2009, 21:48
Dr. Gonzi your day of glory will come again in four years time; that's because you and your cabinet will work hard from now until the General Elections to ensure that Malta's future will be prosperous. That Labour's victory today will only be momentarily and their prophesies of doom and gloom will not materialize. Yes, Dr. Gonzi, you will show the rest of us that Malta's future is in safe hands. Those that did not come out to vote will return to the fold and those that were misguided will see the truth. All I can say is: "Dr. Gonzi is the PN's phoenix and this is no myth.
A. Gauci
Jun 7th 2009, 21:40
Gonzi, go home.
To all MLP candidates: congratulations to all of you, even to those who didn't make it. You've shown potential an we, the Maltese, believe that we need a big change in our country, so we voted for you. Keep up the good work.
john borg
Jun 7th 2009, 21:37
I have voted nationalist all my life. Yesterday I invalidated my vote because I can't stand Gonzipn's clique anymore. If Gonzi thinks i've done that because it was not a general election, he is greatly mistaken.
B.Borg
Jun 7th 2009, 21:36
When Gonzi and co raised their salaries last year, was that as well in the national interest?
Rita Rizzo
Jun 7th 2009, 21:04
It was refreshing to hear Gonzi speak so honestly at the press conference. Dr. Muscat should be very happy, but i disagreed with his idea of a movement. why movement and not the whole country?
r ferriggi
Jun 7th 2009, 20:43
i see no humility in gonzi's admission.
im afraid things will get worse.
better thasn expected????? can you tell us WHAT you were extecting then????????
Randolph De Battista
Jun 7th 2009, 20:19
You're is still the sam dear PM. So now, PN lost due to the economic crisis as well. Keep it up, you're on the right track......TO FAILURE!
Carmel Vella
Jun 7th 2009, 20:08
I could only see 9 candidates behind Gonzi, where was the 10th?????
C.ZARB
Jun 7th 2009, 20:08
Poor Mr Gonzi. This was one of the worst elections results ever and yet, he still thinks that he knows what the people want.
I don't want ministers at my doors. I want illegal immigrants away from my country and money inside my pockets. If its too hard for him to do that, then he should make way to others.
PS a small advice its better not to mention anything rather then to bring in a mickey mouse treaty such as the 'voluntary burden sharing' or another of Mr Busuttil reports whose not worth the paper written on. We want results and not empty words.