'We are ready to govern' - Muscat
With an early election looming on the horizon, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat says his party is ready to govern.
"I have no say over the election date. I will only say we're ready for an election. More importantly, we're ready to govern," he tells The Sunday Times in an interview today.
Whichever way Nationalist rebel MP Franco Debono votes in a motion of no confidence on Thursday, the government remains unstable and unsustainable, Dr Muscat says.
The PL leader rejects claims it will not be a "safe" government if given a mandate and guarantees continuity in essential sectors like the taxation system or the EU.
"But we need a change in direction. We need to stimulate the economy. We need better leadership. The PL is safe for workers, business and the country."
Asked what he would have done if he had the likes of Dr Debono in his team, Dr Muscat said he would never allow the situation to relegate itself to such a state.
Pointing out that he too has had to deal with internal dissent on issues like divorce, Dr Muscat says leaders like Dom Mintoff and Eddie Fenech Adami managed one-seat majorities in parliament without creating instability to the country.
He says the PL electoral programme was always being updated to reflect economic realities, as well as taking into consideration the EU's fiscal pact.
Dr Muscat reiterates his principal pledge to reduce the cost of water and electricity bills but again refuses to give details. He insists such a reduction is possible through cost cutting and not subsidies.
While ruling out the possibility of a coalition government, Dr Muscat calls on critics to look at his track record in the European Parliament to prove his worth, though he pre-empts his young age to be a major tool for the PN's "scare campaign".
Watch excerpts of the interview with Herman Grech by clicking the link above or read the entire interview in The Sunday Times.
122 Comments
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Michael Magri
Jan 23rd, 11:37
To all PN apologists...
Let me assure you all.... Dr. Joseph Muscat and the Labour Party need NOT abide by any of your `cries` for him to reveal ANY details of the PL Electotoral Program.. MA TARAWX...!!!! But let me ASSURE you also, that HE will SURELY do that upon your GonziPN`s Regime announces an official election date...
So Guys, if you realy are so keen to know anything about the PL elctoral program, just ASK (!) Prime Minister Gonzi to give us an official election date....!!!!
Il-bqijja naccertakom li bil-Kurzita se tibqghu.......!!!!
Alex Ellul
Jan 23rd, 15:53
U probbabli anke inti tibqa bil kurzita, ghax l ahhar li qal: li jrahhas l-ellettriku, l-ilma - eventwalment..
Eventualment... imma meta? meta l prezz taz zejt jinzel gha $16 il barmil bhal meta kien 1996?
J. Pace
Jan 24th, 02:15
Din il-problema Michael, li ha jiggvernaw nies bl-istess ragunament bazwi bhal-tieghek!
Il-verita hi li PL ma ghandu l-ebda pjan...jparla jparla jparla...kullhadd jaf iparla Michael. U nies bhalek jemmnuh.
Anke jien naf inparla tipo - Ha nsib iz-zejt fil gardina, Valletta City ha jirbhu Champions League, Ha nirbah lotterija 5 snin ohra... paroli paroli paroli...
L-istess il-PL, ha nrahhas dawl, ha nrahhas l-ilma...paroli paroli paroli...nafu li kliem fierah ghax impossibli trahhas dawl jekk ma zziedx t-taxxa ghal xi 45%! Jew zzid xi kummiedja ohra bhal ma kienet s-sisa...
Issa ovvjament bil-livell bazwi ta ragunament li ghandek, ma fhimtx l-argument tieghi...
Issa jitla PL, u 5 snin jaghmel tibzax...ghax minn mhux ha jivvota l-PN, darba ta wara jerga johrog jivvota ghal-PN bil-patt u l-kundizjoni li sa dak iz-zmien jilhaq jitnaddaf il-partit mil-hmieg ta kandidati li ghandu.
John Scerri
Jan 23rd, 07:15
The people are still waiting your proposals to lower the bills.
The people will NOT vote for those who abstain themselves from parliament .
ready to govern ...any plans .....1....2....3. noting but small talk .
Gordon Pace
Jan 23rd, 02:02
He talks like a real FARFET!!!
marthese tonna
Jan 22nd, 22:13
labour this time is doing everyhting gradually
things get their path and than it just go with the flow of the situation . labour is looking solid and prepared , well organized but mostly they look well lead by a promising leader
susan matrenza
Jan 22nd, 22:07
jien jiddispjacini hafna li nisma in nies li jghidu li jiddubitaw min dak li jghid joseph muscat
wieghed id divorzju - u dahal
wieghed it taxxa ta satelliti jkollk refund - u wettaqa
wieghed li jghaqqad il partit tieghu u gabu maqghud aktar min ma naf xix
wieghed li jgib kandidati godda u gabom
u dan kollhu weghdu mill oppozizjoni u rnexxilu jasal
joseph muscat li jwieghed iwettaq !!
Alfred Cassar
Jan 22nd, 20:34
What about the car registration refund? Was this promise withdrawn because it is not being mentioned anymore
Aaron Vella
Jan 22nd, 22:28
Don't blow his cover. The (prattikament prim ministru)'s first blunder. U l-kbir ghadu gej...
EDWARD CUSCHIERI
Jan 22nd, 20:23
Dr Muscat just simply told you one thing :
We believe in our country and we believe in our people . Its true , it hurts when you see people that in the old times used to be part of your family and now they simply felt more comfortable in another group . It hurts when you look at these people and you realise that they were an asset for your family . But something happened and to switch sides you need to have a reason . The answer is simply one - JOSEPH MUSCAT
joseph francalanza
Jan 22nd, 20:20
It looks that Dr mallia is hurting the PN supporters . Now they are saying that they dont need him . Thanks for telling us cause that is the attitude that we are not ready to move forward . For us everyone is important even the ones that you think that they are not good for this country . Ifhem issa drajnikom tarmu lin nies u issa andkom panic biex tergghu iggibuh lura maghkom ax qed tibzghu li nhar il hamis ha jamilikom !! This country deserves better !!
Edmond Galea
Jan 23rd, 05:42
Kif ma tisthux l-ewwel gbajtu tikkupjaw forsi xi darba tkunu fil-gvern, issa qed timtlew bil-veterani biex forsi tibnu team..... Jahasra x'jamillek l-ghatx ghal poter!!!!!!
Mr David Borg
Jan 22nd, 20:05
The positive comments by Mr Muscat on the Jesuits are shared by many old Aloysians including me.
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 22nd, 20:03
@ Rocco Camilleri
We do not need people like Dr. Mallia within the PN ranks. It will be very interesting to know the reasons for this change of heart. Dr. Mallia comes from a fervent PN family from Gzira.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 22nd, 23:06
A simple answer as gonziPN , the PN has gone to the dogs.
j falzon
Jan 22nd, 19:40
Not a single policy. God help us. They have been sharpening their knives for 25 years too and Muscat is a young face leading a pack of old-school socialists from the old-guard. Two things are for sure-the first is that they will win the upcoming election due to electoral fatigue with regards to the PN-and the second is that they will be annihilated in the 2017 election by a landslide. Yes, I have just presumptuously predicted the outcome of two elections.
Michael Magri
Jan 22nd, 18:59
Ara veru tal-PN ibghatu bill kurzita ta`...!! Hudu naqra pacenzja jahasra... Milli jidher, ma tantx baqalkom wisq biex tkunu tafu il-programm elettorali tal-Partit Laburista x`hinu...!! Naccertakom pero, li hekk kif u meta GonziPN joghogbu jsaffar is-suffara, u tibda ufficjalment it-tigrijja elettorali, hemmek kulhadd se jkun jaf mhux biss il-programm Serju u ta Fejda li ghandu l-PL ghal fejqan ta dan il-pajjijz mit-tmexxijja tal-klikek, kif qed jinghad, imma wkoll se tigi `pprezentata Kandidatura Manifika u Mpekkabli lill elettorat Malti w`Ghawdxi, u li tkun tikkonsisti min elementi ta nies Eccezzjonali, Friski, Specjalisti, Teknici u b`esperjenza soda f`xogholhom .. Kandidatura li s`issa Malta ghada qatt ma rat bhala..
U fuq kollox imma, dawn il-kandidati se jkunu `mmexxija mill-Kap tal-Partit Laburista Dr. Joseph Muscat, li qed juri bic-car li ghandu vizjoni mill-aktar cara, soda, serja, moderna u fuq kollox GHAQLIJJA ghal dan l-imsejken Pajjijzna..
Ghalhekk sinjuri Nazzjonalisti, tkomplux tharbxu bhall-PAPPAGAL l-istess diskorsi li issa ilkom tisimghu tant mill-esponenti politici taghkom, u li huma totalment Banali u Insinifikanti...!! Stennew ftit iehor u Taraw...
Prosit u Grazzi hafna Dr. Joseph Muscat.. Inti biss tista `ssalva lil dan il-Pajjijz, mit-tgerfix politiku, ekonomiku, finanzjarju u ta HABI, li dahhluh fih GonziPN & `KLIKKA`... GHARUKAZA...!!!
F. Pisani
Jan 23rd, 07:27
Ok PN Supporters need to be less curious yes? Ok, but in order to vote for a party we need to see what we are voting too!!!!!! If Gonzi PN has his "klikka", Muscat and friends have a "klikka" so thick that not even its electoral program is ready to reveal! If they have any.
ronald ciscaldi
Jan 22nd, 18:48
dr muscat
ghalkemm jien kont persuna li kont xtaqt li jkun leader iehor li jmexxi il partit laburista ( gorg abela ) illum qed nirrejalizza li min ghazel lilek kien kapaci jara fik dak li jien ma kontx kapaci . Jien bhala delegat tal partit b wicci min quddiem nghid li qadt ma niftakar li kellna partit daqsek maghqud , organizzat u vera tiehu pjacir tahdem fi hdanu . Jirn nista nahlef li int kont il persuna li galtna naccetaw nies ta ideat u opinjonijiet politici differenti minnha . Tiehu pjacir tisma nies bhall DEBORAH titkellem fi hdan il partit , bniedma li ma sthat xejn tghid li kienet nazzjonalista u vera qed thossa komda tahdem maghna . Haddiehor lanqas in nies tieghu ma kien kapaci jisma ahseb wara kemm ha jisma il ta kontrih .
Prosit joseph u vera ghandna ghalfejn inkunu kburin li int qed tmexxi il partit taghna !!
Paul Giordimaina
Jan 23rd, 02:25
Ready to govern if the people vote you in you still got 15 months we have to finish what we started the projects which you never had the guts to do after all those years in goverernment under what you called the salvatur Mr ZERO u Sant.
Keith D'Amato
Jan 22nd, 18:38
Last time I checked... you aren't.
M. Bezzina
Jan 22nd, 20:59
LAst time I selected Gonzi the machine gave me this: Error
peter Bongailas
Jan 22nd, 18:36
Dr Muscat
bhall ma rnexxilek tbiddel il PL , li min partit imkisser irnexxilek fi ftit snin iggibu fuq saqajh nemmen ukoll li fi ftit snin jirnexxilek iggib dal pajjiz fi triq it tajba
Lesperjenza neccesarja em qeghda u li temmen fil kapacitajiet ta haddiehor huwa don
haddiehor wara il min kien kapaci jghinu u issa ax dawk in nies qed iwarbuh huma stess qed immur jibkilom biex jigu lura !!
G Mangion
Jan 22nd, 18:33
Ara veru trid tkun iblah biex xi hadd iwedek li sa jtik id - dettalji kolla leliet elezzjoni hu : joqod jahrab li jtiilek
speccjament meta twebbel li sa tnaqqasil - kontijet ta dawl - u lilma !!
Ga ma ghandux Risposti joey, ga fixxkel lis - supporters tal mlp Stess !
forsri il P.N ghandu instabilita fil partit iva ( pero xejn ma hu Impossibli )
Pero mid - derha joey Instabilita Economika fil - Pajjiz jipreferi ghax jekk issir lizar p.m ta Malta la min min fejn sa jbda ma Jaf u anqas kif sa jompli, issa meta il - Poplu again jekk titla, jibda jibkilek biex ma tazilx it - triq ta taxxi Inumani li ghandek preparat x' ha tejdlu inhobkhom ?! HEMM HAFNA MISTOQSIJIET LI GHANDEK TWIEGEB BLA TIDWIR MAL - LEWZA LIL POPLU MALTI KOLLU.....
G. Mangion.
joseph saliba
Jan 22nd, 18:32
A scare-campaign is surely doomed. Take the PL referendum campaign as an example.
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 22nd, 18:19
@ Mrs Silvia Debono
You should have told us the entire story. Your husband must have opted for the VRS Voluntary Retirement Scheme for which he earned a lump sum of about €18,000 euros. He also could have opted for an alternative job with a public entity which he did not take. So to tell us that he was left without a job is a lie. Your husband preferred a lump sum of €18,000 and forfeited his job.
j falzon
Jan 22nd, 19:45
You know what I think we should do? We should just give everyone a job regardless of whether the person is needed or not. We should also pay them really high salaries even if the company loses money and we should make sure that the state pays for absolutely everything. Wouldn't that solve all the world's problems? I can't believe it has taken us 25,000 years of human history to work this one out.
Mrs silvia debono
Jan 23rd, 12:22
Dear Mr. Vasallo, thank you so much for your advice on something you really do not know about people you do not know. We appreciated..NOT.
kirsty quattromani
Jan 22nd, 18:14
Young and strong .
when he was in the EC parliament he showed everybody what is he capable of .
Dr gonzi not even managed to deal with franco debono , so how can you believe that is capable to deal with the big giants such as sarkozy and merkel
Aaron Vella
Jan 22nd, 22:42
What a pathetic statement. Tidher li lanqas tifhem xejn fil-politika, x'ghandu x'jaqsam Franco Debono ma Sarkozy? Jixtieq Franco Debono kellu is-successi ta' Merkel u Sarkozy... Daqs kemm zamm Alfred Sant lil Dom Mintoff meta waqqalu il-gvern, waqt li int, nista nimmagina, ivvutajt labour dak iz-zmien... Il-hasra hi li hafna laburisti jivvutaw fuq l-istess ragunament tieghek u ha jtughna prattikament prim ministru li gimgha qabel jaqa il-gvern ghadu ma qalilniex kif se jrahhas id-dawl u l-ilma! Mhux ta' b'xejn nghidu li ghatxana ghal-poter.
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 22nd, 17:45
Ara veru mghaggel ir-ragel biex isir prim mimistru. U ghandu ghalfejn, ghaliex irid isir l-izghar prim ministru ta' Malta. Izda l-Kabinett tieghu ser ikun l-ixjeh kabinett fl-istorja ta' Malta, b'nies kollha ghandhom aktar minn sittin sena bhal George Vella, Karmenu Vella, Joe Debono Grech, Leo Brincat, Alex Sciberras Trigona, Evarist Bartolo, Charles Buhagiar, Farrugia Michael, Farrugoa Noel ect.
Dawn kienu kollha fix-xena politika 25 sena ilu u ghad ghandhom mohhom jahseb kif konna nahsbu ahna dak iz-zmien. Dawn ma rnexxilhomx jindunaw bil-bidliet enormi li ghamlet id-dinja kolha. Allahares naslu fl-estremita` li nkunu ggvernati min dawn in-nies, ghaliex jergghu jehduna lura kwart ta' seklu.
Emanuel. Vella.
Jan 22nd, 18:37
veru sewwa qed tghid naqbel mieghek,ahjar jiehdu over issa,it-tifel ta austin,it-tifel ta eddie jew edward,it-tifel ta ugo,u it-tifel ta gwido.demm gdid u frisk.
Emanuel Farrugia
Jan 22nd, 18:44
Ma ,kif qieghed tkexkixna bil-babaw. Tghid nofs Malta u Ghawdex li vvutaw ghal partit labruista fl-2008 ser jisi9mghu minnek. Jekk wieghed li jnaqqas ir-rati tad-dawl u l-ilma tahseb li m'ghandniex nafdawh aktar minn GonziPN li wieghed li jnaqqas l-income tax u bqajna bir-riha.
Rocco Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 18:47
Allura Angelo int trid li l-PL jghamel bhalkom jarmi l-esperjenza ta' dawk li ghandhom iz-zmien ??? Veru ma' tafhux x'inthom tghidu daqqa tghidu li Joseph ghadu zghir u ohra tghidu ghax ghandhom iz-zmien. Ta Tahseb int li dawn qadu idejhom fuq zaqqhom u ma' rawx il-bidliet li sehhu fid-dinja. Barra dan tinshiex li l-PL ghandu nies mieghu kemm zghar u kemm kbar. Li jodd taf x'inhu li jridu jahdmu bil-qalb ghax iridu jghatu xi haga lura lil pajjiz u mhux jiehdu biss. Mela ma'rajthux lil Dr.Manuel Mallia ( ex-PN) x'messagg bghat lil dawk li veru jemmnu fil-Gustizzja Socjali - it-tqassim sew tal-gid tal-pajjiz, mhux fejn il-kbir jiehu l-kejk u z-zghir jiehu l-frak ( jekk jibqa) . Li gralu l-PN bit-tmexxija ta' Gonzi !! Hadt kollox li ha minn ghand Fenech Adami ghax ma' kienx hemm Par Idejn Sodi kif kien qalilna.
Rachel Borg
Jan 22nd, 16:42
Yes, ready to govern with no policies!
J.C. Borg
Jan 22nd, 16:32
A trick PL is playing on the electorate is that it will be fielding a good number of candidates in each district with the scope that they gather a good number of 'personal votes'.
Those voters who think that they should vote for their lawyer, doctor or anyone else, for the service they give them, should first vote for a candidate in the party they prefer to govern (thus giving their preferred party the No.1 vote) and then vote No 2 to the other candidate to whom they feel they owe their vote.
David Bezzina
Jan 22nd, 21:03
SO WHAT,THAT'S POLITICS MY FRIEND.
Peter Shaw
Jan 22nd, 15:25
Anyone seen a Magic Wand around ?
David Bezzina
Jan 22nd, 21:04
ASK GONZI !
Manuel Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 15:18
Haha! No details! Who is this guy trying to fool? Lol. Only blinded fools will believe such rubbish!
Alex Falzon
Jan 22nd, 14:14
Aktar mal-esponenti tal-PL jifthu halqom aktar nikkonferma li m'ghandhomx pjan ghal pajjiz. Li jkollok lil Alex Sciberras Trigona bhala ministru ma tantx tinzilli iktar u iktar jiftahar illi fil-passat Malta kienet tigi assocjata ma Mintoff mill-barranin - normalment pajjizi dittatorjali hekk jigu maghrufa. George Vella li skond Mintoff (1998) tajjeb biss ghal qassatat - jigi jippriedka li JM huwa prattikament Prim Ministru -
Nistenna hafna aktar minn partit li ilu fl-oppozizzjoni ghal aktar minn ghoxrin sena.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 22nd, 23:08
Ma tistax taqa ghc-cajt , sa issa AST mhux kandidat, issa jekk taf mod iehor int ghidilna.
Jonathan Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 13:43
What is PL's policy on employment? Are abuses of self-employment "pyramid" schemes going to be legalized and ENFORCED as recently broadcasted by Chris Said? When will this happen? Are audits going to be in place?
What will PL instruct the Dept of Industrial Relations to do in cases of bullying and mobbing? Will it pretend that it did not happen, in the lack of proof? Since the onus of guilt for sexual assault at the workplace is on the accused, shouldn't (in some cases) the same onus be used - free of charge or covering arbitration costs - for employees who might have been abused due to their poor economic conditions?
Is anonymity guaranteed?
david vella
Jan 22nd, 13:41
labour maghndux x'jitlef , izda ghandi dubji tieghai jekk hux se jrahas l kontijiet ta dawl u kief se jiranga sitwazzjoni ta grizi li diga ghedin fija u li se tkompli tizdied f'xhur li gejjien U nawguralu li jsolvi din l grizi li miraklu minn alla jried ikun biex tisolva. Illum nemmen li floters itelaw u inizlu partit fejn hafna ha jivuttaw lill labour din darba , leader gdid fil partit laburista ghamlet differenza U fejn nawgura lill joseph muscat li jkun priministru kief jixraq lill pajjizna. Hu nejdlu ukoll jaghzel membri parlamentari godda fil kabbinet tieghu u mhux membri parlamentari antiki li ghamlu hsara lill partit ta labour u lill pajjizna u jekk jista dawk il membri parlamentari li jirapprezentaw lill pajjizna fl-Ewropa ikoll irahsilhom l-pagi ghax jaf khemm hi l-paga ta membru parlamentari fl-ewropa u nsaqsih dak mhux serq ukoll minn fuq dar l poplu malti. Nawgura lill joseph muscat li jkun priministru ta malta u ghawdex ghal gid ta kullhadd.
Jonathan Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 13:39
What is PL's policy on the increase in COLA, and, employment benefits? Will they be adjusted according to real cost of living? How will the standard of living improve?
Does PL intend to increase central government control - since it has a socialist belief or move towards privatisation?
Jonathan Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 13:37
Will a newly reformed government, provide me with access to EU funds for education, that is on time and does not cause me stress related to imperfect planning of private educational institutions and MEEF/ETC? Aren't there too many bureaucrats on board? Is this done on purpose? What kind of career (not job) guidance is provided for "common people" like myself?
Will my TSSA grant be approved more efficiently? Will paperwork be reduced? Will ETC provide the facility of applying online, and, integrating with the eGov Framework?
Will anyone answer my questions?
Jonathan Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 13:27
Are you pledging scaremongering will be over now? I find it hard to believe to be honest, but I take your word for it. Will phone calls from political parties interfering with my decision of whether and whom to vote quit, if I do not give specific instructions such as having signed up as a member of a political party and perhaps given up my rights relating to the DP 2003?
What are LP's monetary, financial, fiscal, economic, employment and social policy?
Stefan Zammit
Jan 22nd, 13:26
When he said electricity and water bills will go down "in their due time" (in Maltese ofc) this is just one of those political gaffes both parties have and will keep on trying to pull. This isn't new politics: it's just as old and rotten as the government and opposition put together. Malta deserves better but blinding fanaticism will prevent it from reaching the goal.
Jonathan Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 13:25
Dr. Muscat, exactly how do you plan to cut down costs further?
Tony Agius
Jan 22nd, 12:50
@ Carmel Xuereb , tista tghidilna dawn lizguriet li qieghid issemmi , kif ser tiggarantihomna ghax Joseph ma jridtx jejdilna , jew inti taf izjed min Joseph .
James Dimech
Jan 22nd, 12:48
He is ready to govern - and yet there is no concrete proposal in sight.
Muscat irid jitla ghax xbajna minn GonziPN u ghax minghalih niggustawh. Onestamnet nahseb nippreferi lil Gonzi bil-korruzzjoni kollha li gab, mit-teatrini ta' dan Muscat. Ghal menu Gonzi ma jittrattax lil Maltin ta' stupidi.
marc pace
Jan 22nd, 12:10
my foot you are ready to govern!!!!!!!!!people if you want malta to become like greece,italy and ireland vote labour u tibilaw katusa tad dranagg min hawn sal qamar!!!! pn for life
Jen Fenech
Jan 23rd, 10:54
Għażiż Marc, id-differenza bejnek u bejni hija li int vera moħħok magħluq u jekk pajjiżek ikun qed jegħreq gol-ħama tivvota xorta PN basta jkun il-partit tiegħek...
Toni Borg
Jan 22nd, 12:06
There is a difference between 'We are ready to take POWER' and 'we are ready to GOVERN'.!!!
Governing requires plans, ideas, decisions, balancing accounts.
Haven't heard any of the above from the PL. So I guess they just mean taking POWER!
Charles Cremona
Jan 22nd, 12:05
Mr Muscat is takes every oportunity to try to sway ex mintoff supporters back into the labour fold, what mintoff's daughter has to do with improving malta's lot is beyond me. If there is an election Labour will win because after 25 years people want a change, so Muscat does not haveto resort to such childish tactics.
judith grima
Jan 22nd, 11:54
10 points to labour party for introducing on their ticket a person like DEBORAH SCHEMBRI !!!!
raymond scicluna
Jan 22nd, 19:03
yes Dr Schembri can really help labour cause she showed how to handle a massive issue like the divorce referendum without ever feeling hot under the collar. She knew so much what she was doing that she never had to resort to hot debates or claiming any sort of divine right for the divorce. Unfortunately PN really missed a great candidate. She is totally the opposite of Dr Debono cause as the italians say A buon intenditor poche parol......u mela billi jurini c certifikati u t theddied lil prim ser jimpressjonani jew jitajjar u jitpastaz quddiem Bondi. YEs 10 points to labour on this!!
Tonio Bone
Jan 22nd, 11:51
Well I sure hope you are because you might be in that hot seat quite soon! We are bound to go from 'money is no problem' to 'waving the magic wand' in no time. Whatever the outcome and whoever gets the power joystick, I just hope it will be for the general benefit of the country!
Ray Spiteri
Jan 22nd, 11:40
GonziPN - arrogance. JMuscat - our future PM. I will give you my vote. Ex PN
Maria Brincat
Jan 22nd, 19:00
Naqbel mieghek illi l-PN ghamlu l-frejjeg... imma ta' l-inqas ihalluna nghixu hajja suret in-nies.. imma dan .. JM kuill ma jinteressah hu li jsir PM.. m'ghandu l-ebda pjan, l-ebda policy... alura fejn tahseb li se nispiccaw bla pjan...mhux dritt ghal gol-hajt.. JM irid ikun l-izghar PM fl-istorja ta' Malta.. jekk jitla' hu, ikun l-ahhar PM fl-istorja ta' Malta, ghax jibghatna l-bahar...
U bilhaqq..jien QATT ma gabuhuli shun il-PN.. hija kwistjoni li tara l-affariijiet b'mohh miftuh..
Joseph Caruana
Jan 22nd, 11:38
His eyes, and body language says it all.
clint busuttil
Jan 22nd, 11:36
tkunu tafu kif se jmexxi JM meta jhabbar l programm elettorali.mux ekk najduwomkom minn qabel bix npaxxukom u tamluwom intom issa bix tidru sbieh.
Aaron Vella
Jan 22nd, 22:48
Mela kompli hallas Gahan, sakemm jitla l-leader! X'injoranza ta' nies.
raymond scicluna
Jan 22nd, 11:32
Am i hearing right?!! so if the PL vote of non confidence will not go through, he would not deem that as a vote of confidence. Eh ok now i got you right DR!!
J. Debono
Jan 22nd, 11:24
And your ideas to govern are???
Give us a break, floating voters are not going to vote for a person who has no ideas.
And we are intelligent enough to know that cheaper water and electricity bills mean, a higher tax from somewhere else.
And elections are won by floating voters, not by die-hard PN and PL supporters who are ready to swallow everything, as long as it's from their leader's mouth!!
Jack Attard
Jan 22nd, 15:00
you sound you're related to Giovanna Debona.
John Bonello
Jan 22nd, 11:22
Sur Joseph Muscat, ezempju ta direzjoni cara......l-italja sal-bierah kien hemm strike tat taxis kontra id-decizjoni tal-Gvern Taljan li jilliberalizza il-licenzi tat-Taxis. Skond Monti is-sitwazjoni presenti tfisser li it-taljani qed ihallsu taxxi sekondarji bdin is-sitwazjon, u ghalekk irid jilliberalizza is-suq. f' Malta din id-decizjoni ittiehdet xhur ilu qabel giet il-problema fuqna. Din tmexxija tajba u reali bil provi...dan il-pajjiz irid sustanza mhux kliem fierah u fl' arja
stephen koludrovic
Jan 22nd, 11:22
Dear JM,
Just because you are young does not mean that you cannot govern wisely. I,m sure that you'll do well.
T Mifsud
Jan 22nd, 11:03
While fresh ideas are welcome, these are in my opinion why the PL is STILL NOT SAFE ...
OLD & TAINTED PEOPLE
- The people at the top of leadership have INSTABILITY written all over their history. JM formulated policies that change with the wind to please everyone, AST with his baggage of N.Korea secret agreements Gaddafi and anti-EU stance, TA is not a politician, AF was in the police force in a high position in Malta's blackest time of political violence under the PL
NO EXPERIENCE
- It is a fact that in a quarter of a century, the PL has only 22 months in office during which a bungle of the taxation was made.
NO SOLID POLICIES
- While in opposition the PL switched polarity several times to appease sides appearing opportunistic. Even image wise, blue is now their colour in an attempt to lure votes from the disgruntled PN and to make people perceive safety in the PL. No word has come out how the PL will reduce utilities during the worst global recession since 1956. No policy.
HISTORY OF TAXING HIGH EARNERS
- PL does not believe in high salaries where and when they are needed. Business who found solace in Malta's secure finance system will be concerned as they will be in the sights of the PL for raising taxes. People who work very hard and earn substantially due to their work will also be in the PL's sights for taxes.
While the PN has made administrative fouls of the honoraria timing etc, at least they build, build and build. We have to admit that we fared relatively well to other countries financially. We cannot afford lack of experience! I do want to see change in ideas, opening up the country to business, working economy, less red tape, more justice and away with old unfair laws, but I do not want to have INEXPERIENCE at the helm or else we will run aground!
J.C. Borg
Jan 22nd, 11:01
Is this declaration an explanation of "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"??
Everyone knows that the economic situation is very tense in all the world. With Joseph making such promises he is only trying to fool, only his people I might say.
Malcolm Cachia
Jan 22nd, 10:51
Great QUESTIONS : poor ANSWERS
Peter Shaw
Jan 22nd, 10:50
JM while you are it, put a roof on the topless theatre also !
Edward Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 11:03
Good one Peter! The "clique" does not even take note of their MPs, let alone music experts or the general public. No wonder such baseless decisions are taken.
C. Borg
Jan 22nd, 10:44
Cheaper water and electricity bills can come by controlled spending and by setting priorities...the euro 500 honoraria or the money for the new parliamentary project could have gone in the pockets of us citizens during this delicate economic situation.
I've voted for both parties in the past but JM is always convincing me day by day. We'll give you a chance...if you fail back to opposition in 5 years time.
Keith Davis
Jan 22nd, 11:03
To give a chance?! This is not a roulette were you give it a go and you just loose some cash. This is about our childrens future. What we do today will impact us back all tomorrow.
Alex Falzon
Jan 22nd, 14:04
X;qed jikkonvincik ghax jien ghadni ftit mgerfex?
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Jan 22nd, 10:40
The country is crying loudly for a change in government and it is useless for GonziPartitNegattiv in trying to delay, stop or hinder at all cost the wind of change in favour of PL. It is clear that GonziPartitNegattiv is tired, old fashioned, exhausted, in great instability and without any direction. On the otherhand PL is a dynamic, modern, full of fresh of ideas how to run the country.
Any PN administration always based its economy and financial policy on Deficit Budgets and National Debts. Statistics clearly show that. Such policy which since 1962 was always a pillar in the policy of any PN government created the present crisis in the Eurozone.
On the otherhand the economic and financial policy of PL is absolutely the contrary of that of GonziPartitNegattiv as it was always based on financial stability and with no Deficit Budgets.
Rocco Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 12:12
Well said Williams, the wind of change is being felt and at a great wind force. A lot are believing in Joseph's Muscat party as did Dr. Manuel Mallia. He delivered a very good speech in the General PL Conference. PL for sure merits to govern our country which presently is being governed by those who scratch the back of others to scratch their in return. We Maltese people deserves a true leader.
Mariano Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 13:26
what do you know about pl?if it was for pl you wouldnt be in malta and pn has brought the country where it is now not pl
Rocco Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 18:30
Exactly so Mariano Gonzi PN has brought our country where it is.
Alex Falzon
Jan 22nd, 10:36
Ifthu widnejkom sew... ilbierah diga qal illi l-kontijiet jitrahsu meta jkun il-waqt. Dan ifisser hafna
Mrs silvia debono
Jan 22nd, 10:22
Dr. Muscat, I am going to vote Labour as my first vote ever since becoming a Maltese citizen. The current govern left my husband, an Air Malta employee, without a job, a forced retirement at 38 years old with a family still growing up. I do hope you hold the reins of this country with reason and justice. God help you if you don't.
Mr Peter Mercieca
Jan 22nd, 10:52
Dear Mrs Debono I am seriously sorry to hear your husband was made redundant by the current harsh economic situation that has seen Air Malta suffer major losses, but I cannot understand how you still believe any government can and should sustain inefficient and loss making entities, when everywhere else around you in Greece, Italy and most major economies are either on the brink of bankrupcy or implementing serioously harsh austerity measure on all sectors of their respective societies, yes an entire country going under, not just one organization that is being forced to react to the hyper competitionand changes that will eventually making it stronger. How you use your 1st time vote is up to you but don't expect any new player to handle a loss making business any different, EU rules don't allow it to play by the old economic rules.
Tonio Bone
Jan 22nd, 11:44
I fully understand your predicament, but Air Malta was heading in towards that path under any government.. Both Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat are not miracle workers! Mistakes have been made and more mistakes will be made! The real issues here are two: when decisions are taken in 'someone's personal interest' or taking account of the vote (meaning a political decision) it is usually the wrong decision for the country and the people involved!
Your predicament has nothing to do with reason and justice I'm afraid, it is more a case of decades of bad management and not keeping up with the times!
Mariano Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 13:28
at least he received redundancy payment...pl will not have given any payments what so ever
Karl Consiglio
Jan 22nd, 10:21
'We are ready to govern'
Yeah right.
marc pace
Jan 22nd, 12:07
good one m8
my foot he is ready to govern ga kisser weda li kien amel
Claudio Cilia
Jan 22nd, 10:19
We get it Muscat, now wait for the election :P
Joseph Brincat
Jan 22nd, 10:13
WEATHER FORECAST .
MONDAY >>>>>> ISOLATED SHOWERS
TUESDAY >>>>>> WINDY
WEDNESDAY >>> WINDY
THURSDAY>>>>> MORNING THUNDER STORM AND AT MIDDAY IT
WILL TURN INTO A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY FOR ALL THE MALTESE ISLANDS
THIS WEATHER FORECAST BROUGHT TO YOU BY >> PL
Paul Giordimaina
Jan 22nd, 10:36
Later a tornado PL
stephen koludrovic
Jan 22nd, 11:05
Yup, a tornado might be needed to clear up some of the thick cobwebs that have engulfed this country.
Joseph Brincat
Jan 22nd, 11:13
Paul Giordimaina
YES YOU ARE RIGHT
LATER A TORNADO IN FAVOUR OF THE >> PL <<
Tony Agius
Jan 22nd, 12:39
OK , SO we wait till then to find out what is to happen , and after that day ? I think , if things keep going the way I can see them going , their will be another PN GROUP , with bigger majority to Govern for another five years .
Manuel Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 15:25
Do you really think the Maltese people, in their majority, are fools, dr brincat? Kien hemm zmien fejn mexxej Laburista kien ibella' kollox, imma ghadda dak iz-zmien. This election will prove that a change in government will come for change sake, not for such promises. Please prepare for a change in weather sine we have had no indication from the hon. Muscat!
Justin Spiteri
Jan 22nd, 10:07
Task 1: Talk to OPEC to reach a special agreement on oil prices just for Malta .... so we can have cheaper water and electricity WITHOUT shifting the cost to another tax / levying system in any other related or unrelated area .... thus reducing the net overall cost of living for every individual in Malta... as promised ... right?.
- Would love to have a peek to the economic plan that is designed to carry this out... must really be genious. UNLESS, there is the very remote chance (but these things don't happen in Malta... right?) that it's a political trick...
If it turns out to be... Knowing how Maltese people don't like being fooled about, I'd be afraid a "Maltese Spring" might follow... ala "miskin min ikasbarna, miskin min jidhak bina" :) ... but well, i'm sure it's not a trick :)
A Dimech
Jan 22nd, 10:26
I tried to understand what you are saying, but I couldn't.... sorry????
Justin Spiteri
Jan 22nd, 13:07
For A. Dimech. Simplified version of my above text ... "never believe politicians".
William Flynn
Jan 22nd, 10:03
Dr Muscat had better be good for the country for right now, for, unless the PN sack Dr Gonzi and pull a rabbit out of the hat as new leader, Dr Muscat looks the only real option; even if the sole reason is that his team isn't hurling mud at each other; or, if they are, they're not doing it in public.
Nothing shows the PM's lack of leadership more eloquently than his exhortation to be civil which has fallen on the deaf ears of even his best lieutenants.
Does anyone seriously believe the PN can even come close to winning with Dr Gonzi as leader? Five more years of the same “religio” first; “patria” second? It’s “patria et patria et patria”, Dr Gonzi.
The idea mooted by someone below that Malta is ready for a third small political party as, to quote the Aussie politician Don Chip, "the party to keep the bastards honest", might be an idea whose time has come.
A Dimech
Jan 22nd, 09:59
Keep up the good work.
Let's remove the rubbish, pantomines, theatrics from Malta.
PN seriously needs some time in opposition to re-invent itself / re-think itself - as currently it is totally unstable, no direction, no new ideas.
It is up to this young guy to help us move forward. And he is approaching this in the right manner.
John Bonello
Jan 22nd, 09:57
X'qed jistenna Joseph biex jghidilna x se jigri u kif sejjer jahdem. Ma jistax ikun illi JM isir Prim Ministru fuq ix-xejn. Jekk vera li qed jghid li irid jibdel id-direzzjoni irid jghidilna din x se tkun.....jekk hija direzjoni tajba j'alla kulhadd ikun kuntent imma wisq nibza illi hemm il bahh wara id-direzjoni tal-PL. Possibli illi fi hmistax il-gurnata ta Konferenza Gyenerali ma tnisslitx kelma wahda fuq il-policies tal-PL...din mhix serjeta ta Partit li kwazi qieghed fuq it-targa ta Kastilja...il-poplu Malta jixraqlu ahjar.
Joseph M. Grech.
Jan 22nd, 09:48
'We are ready to govern' - Muscat
Bla bla bla - ghidilna kif? Hajjarna ftit, mhux kollox sigriet u ghadek iddawwar l-istess nies tal-MLP.
L-istess nies ta' qabel ser jipproducu l-istess dizastru li esperejenzajna zmien ilu.
Dr Muscat kien hemm hafna pariri u decizjonijiet li hadt meta kont MEP li kienu ħziena u ta' falliment.
Mela hsibt li l-Maltin kollha bid-dementia.
Kieku smajna mill-ħafna pariri li ghidtilna kieku Malta qeghdha fuq l-istess lista tal-Grecja, Spanja, Italja etc
Bid-difetti kollha li dan il-gvern ghandu, li int tipprova tkabbar qisu l-ahhar tad-dinja ghalina, xorta Malta mxiet il-quddiem f'nofs dan il-maltemp li hawn mad-dinja kollha. U hawn hafna MALTIN sincieri li ghalmenu fil-privat jekk mhux fill-pubbliku li b'idejho fuq qalbhom jistqarru dan.
robert pace
Jan 22nd, 10:12
MELA HSIBTU GONZI HABIB???
Carmel Xuereb
Jan 22nd, 10:28
Ftit ahjar minn Gonzi jkun zgur, l-onorarja mhux ser jaghmilha zgur, hsieb il-foqra u l-morda jiehu zgur, hafna mill-inganni u s-shab iswed minn fuq kif jittiehdu l-kuntratti jmorru zgur. Jekk Joseph Muscat jaghmel daqshekk biss ikun ahjar minn dan il-gvern ta' bla idejn.
G Mangion
Jan 22nd, 09:35
Quote ( Dr Muscat reiterates his principal pledge to reduce the cost of water and electricity bills but again refuses to give details. He insists such a reduction is possible through cost cutting and not subsidies )
Where is your magic wand jm ? You did promise how you are going to reduce the Electricty Bills if you will be the smallest P.M ever in Malta !! so now you are Declaring to the Electorat That ' you have No Solutions at All,
People Do not want : cost cutting and not subsidies We are better of as we are, The P.N in Gov't didint do that
this is Nonsence ! the whole Nation is unhappy with the Electricty Bills tarrifs but at least the P.n in Gov't Always helped us without Cost Cutting or Removing subsidies ... Bla Sugu jm ...
G. Mangion.
Victor Vella
Jan 22nd, 09:23
guarantees continuity in essential sectors like the taxation system or the EU.
Ga bdejna it taxxa ser izomm kontinwita fija
Victor Calleja
Jan 22nd, 09:40
Xtippretendi innehhi l'income tax? Tkunx vavu? Mhux Muscat qal li se jnaqqas it taxxa min 35% ghal 25% imma Gonzi.
Paroli fil vojt qatt ma swew ghal xejn.
Justin Spiteri
Jan 22nd, 09:50
Se jirnexxilu jikkonvinci l- OPEC irahhsu z zejt ghal malta, biex ikollna kontijiet tad dawl u l- ilma orhos, possibbli ma jirnexxilux irahhas it taxxa lokali?.....
mark borg
Jan 22nd, 09:17
A real PAR IDEJN SODI !
Keep up the good work Dr.Muscat ,you are a breath of fresh air for our country that is being thrown to the dogs !
John Schembri
Jan 22nd, 13:02
@mark borg:Your comment was right about Gonzi's par idejn sodi.
Prime minister Gonzi has defects like all of us but one sure thing is that with his decisions Malta is fairing well when compared to other countries.
It’s Dr Franco Debono who will be throwing our country to the dogs out of sheer spite against his prime minister.
Give the PN fifth district voters their parliamentary seat Franco, you no longer have a right to represent them !
V. Cauchi
Jan 22nd, 09:16
Dr Muscat is ruling out the possibility of a coalition government. Sorry to say, he is not understanding the signs of the times. The younger generation is getting to realise more and more that party politics is dirty and outdated in a progressive, European, forward-looking Malta, and that in this tiny island we cannot make it with a tiny clique at the helm representing only some 50% of the electorate while countries with populations of some 50 million plus have to resort to technical governments, or individual technical ministers, to solve their problems.
As I see it, any party which is outrightly against a coalition government is not worth its salt and only wants to keep Malta muddled down in its primitive piquing system. If a party cannot see any farther than its nose how can it expect to be at the helm of a nation in rough seas?
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jan 22nd, 09:37
How is coalition government better? Please explain! Or is this the new twist given recent polls?
Adrian Attard Trevisan
Jan 22nd, 09:51
with all due respect Mr Cauchi ... Your argument doesn't make much sense . The economic situation around europe is getting countries that have traditionally been known to have a coalition governmental system ...to move on to Technocratic governments or more stable type of management systems . I do consider myself quite young ( in my late 20s) and I think a coalition government would basically be in a situation like having a "Franco Debono" in parliament for a full 5 years ( since the demographic situation of malta. ... will only allow a 3rd party to elect a maximum of 1 chair in parliament) ..so I don't think that a coalition government makes much sense!
V. Cauchi
Jan 22nd, 10:14
@ reply
It would really take a mature country to opt for a coalition in a system where the two main political parties stand for outdated historical origins (capitalism/ conservatism and socialism) and only have their roots in rule by social class. Problem is we cannot understand our tiny stature and that importing the Westminster system into our island lock, stock and barrel is anything but ideal, unless only temporary. We should be looking at systems like Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Iceland (the oldest Parliament), Switzerland, and understand that no major party (I was not referring to small parties) should be doing it alone around here, unless we want to keep going on with our eternal "comedie infantiles".
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 22nd, 09:12
The column before the last on the print edition could not better explain the superficiality, ineptness and arrogance of this person.
J. Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 09:08
Dr. Muscat hu hsieb il-hela li issir fil-dipartiment tal-gvern, naqqas il-lussu u l-infiq zejjed, u ma jkollniex problema ta' finanzi fil-pajjiz.
Hu hsieb nies bhalna tal-middle class ghax vera ma nistax inkampuwa.
I'm SURE YOU WILL BE A GOOD LEADER!
Jonathan Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 13:28
I agree with Mr. Camilleri, even, people living in poverty have a right to vote and must not be left to their own destiny.
Clint Zammit
Jan 22nd, 08:53
Why he refused to give details ???
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jan 22nd, 09:36
Because the PN would pinch them.
Victor Calleja
Jan 22nd, 09:43
Int qatt smajt bxi kowc li li jghati il pjan tal loghba qabel il partita lil avversarju tieghu?
Clint Zammit
Jan 22nd, 17:12
Ma ikkonvincejtniex victor bhal ma jider illi Dr muscat mux jikkonvinci lil indecizi , tirbah il fiducja billi toffri is soluzjonijiet mux ghax l avversarji huma hziena. Is soluzjonijiet mux lil ta kontrih ikun qed ittihom imma lil poplu biex ikun jista jivvutalu . Lil gonzi il poplu jista jikkritikah fuq affarijiet li derlu li ghamilhom hziena Jew li setaw saru ahjar , imma umbghad il poplu jipretendi li min qed jaspira li jmexxi floku jghid kif dawk l affarijiet se jghamilhom tajbin.
JOSEPH ABELA
Jan 22nd, 08:47
YES WE CAN
CHARLES VELLA
Jan 22nd, 08:44
Mr Muscat
Reduce the cost of water, electricity bill, fuel ,and standard of living, because these are the main factors you always told us .