The country acted with great political maturity during former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff’s state funeral, Prime Minster Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

“Everyone knows Mintoff was a controversial person – there is no need to get into those reasons – but yesterday (Saturday) we showed that we are mature enough to move away from partisan politics,” Dr Gonzi said on Nationalist Party-owned Radio 101.

Dr Gonzi, who spoke via telephone as he was away on a private visit, said Mr Mintoff had made “different choices” but the country, the government and PN showed respect towards him and his family.

Mr Mintoff gave service to the country and spent 50 years in the public eye – “this alone commands respect,” Dr Gonzi said.

He said he could easily make a list of things on which he disagreed with Mr Mintoff while he was in public life “but we showed that we were mature and bid him farewell”.

Dr Gonzi said he was grateful for the appreciation to the government shown by the Mintoff family and Opposition Leader for having organised the funeral. He thanked all those involved.

“The true proof of maturity is when you have to make a choice between being controversial and showing dignity. The Nationalist government showed its dignity, even though there were choices that we didn’t agree with,” he said.

In a statement, Labour leader Joseph Muscat expressed his and the party’s gratitude at the dignified and “national” way Mr Mintoff’s funeral was carried out.

“The sense of nationhood was reflected in the unity shown in Mintoff’s funeral,” Dr Muscat said.

It was at times like these that “we are proud of the achievements reached together” over the years and those to come, he added.

The “spontaneous” singing of the Maltese national anthem by the crowd “is a moment I will remember all my life,” the leader of the opposition said.