Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi insisted once again this morning that the people knew where they stood with the Nationalist Party, and changing direction when the country was achieving good results would be harmful.

He spoke at a press conference at the Auberge de Castille after calling on the President to advise him to dissolve Parliament.

Dr Gonzi said few people realised that this was the longest legislature since 1987. The election would be held five years and one day after the last election.

The PN had predicted that there were storm clouds on the horizon but it had also said that 'together everything is possible'.

The PN had shown confidence in the people. It was now proud to return the country in a better state than it was in 2008. Government finances were on a stronger footing and the economy had grown despite the international turbulence. The deficit was now under 3%, one of the few countries in the eurozone which could make such a claim.

Malta now also had the highest ever number of people in employment, the highest ever number of women in employment, and the highest ever number of pensioners who opted to continue to work, while receiving their pensions.

At the same time, the number of workers in the public service had declined and those in the private sector had increased.

This government had acted against precarious work and had terminated the contract of a government contractor after establishing that workers were being abused of.

LOWER TAXES

Dr Gonzi said the tax burden on the people was now less than five years ago. A range of taxes had been removed over the past five years. The process was actually started in 2007 and had been continued every year.

Every strata of society had benefited including women who returned to work and had one year without tax and tax cuts for parents.

EDUCATION

The number of students in post secondary schooling had jumped over the past five years to 84% from 52% and more than 20,000 had graduated from the University, Mcast, ITS and other institutions. 23,000 students were receiving a stipend.

And yet the deficit was declining. This was in contrast to the situation in other countries which raised taxes, reduced wages and social benefits and imposed charges on healthcare.

HEALTH

Dr Gonzi said Mater Dei Hospital, opened five years ago, was giving sterling service, despite problems which were being addressed. Agreements had been reached with the private sector aimed at reducing waiting lists.

A new cancer hospital was also being built with new facilities and three times the bed capacity of Boffa Hospital.

The government had also expanded the list of medicines given free of charge. Many new services had been introduced including breast and colorectal screening.

The elderly were able to continue to work for whatever salary without losing any of their pension, and those aged 80 and over were being given an allowance.

ELECTORAL PROMISES

Dr Gonzi said the government had kept practically all its promises, even though it had had to delay the reduction of the top rate of income tax to 25%. Nonetheless, this process was being started now, with the tax rate being reduced to 32% next year and 25% in three years' time. This measure could not be taken earlier because of the economic situation.

TOURISM AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The prime minister also highlighted other government achievements, including record performance in tourism, a cleaner, healthier environment.

It was shameful, he said, that despite what it said, the Labour Party had not had the courage to return to the people the historic Australia Hall, now in a dilapidated state, which was 'stolen' from the Maltese people, and other properties requisitioned and used as party clubs.

GOVERNMENT 'THAT DELIVERED'

This government, Dr Gonzi said, had delivered, although there were some things which could have been better handled.

The people he said, knew where they stood with the PN but did not know what alternatives Labour could offer.

"We are prepared for the future, we have laid firm foundations to look to the future with optimism despite the storms which are still raging," Dr Gonzi said.

Those advocating a change of direction when Malta was achieving good results were being irresponsible and they were the ones who were instilling uncertainty, Dr Gonzi added.

What the people had to decide on March 9 was who was best able to make the responsible choices to carry the country forward as this government had done, Dr Gonzi said.

QUESTIONS

On the election date, Dr Gonzi said the presentation of the Budget had been delayed because of the nomination of Tonio Borg to serve in the European Commission and the casual election to fill his seat.

The political parties had then agreed that the Christmas period should be free of politics and electoral campaigns should not start before January 7.

It then resulted that if Parliament was dissolved immediately, according to law, voting documents would have had to be produced and distributed over Christmas. Therefore, in agreement with the Opposition, it was decided that Parliament would be dissolved on January 7. Therefore this was not a case of clinging on to power, as was being said, Dr Gonzi said.

Dr Gonzi criticised Opposition leader Joseph Muscat for not saying, when asked yesterday, how he would fund the energy tariff cuts and other promises. Such lack of explanations created uncertainty, notably among investors.

Asked whether contracts would be awarded and whether recruitment would continue in the run-up to the election, Dr Gonzi said recruitment would be made where necessary, mentioning the police and health services as examples. However the rule was that from the moment of dissolution, recruitment and long-term commitments would be stopped where they were not necessary. This government would not engage 8,000 workers just before the election, as Labour had done in 1987.

Asked what he would have done better in the past five years, and what he would have liked to achieve, Dr Gonzi said he would have done several things differently but this was being wise after the event. People learned from such matters and moved in, and the country moved on and achieved very good results notably in jobs, tourism, health, education and so much more.

He would have liked to see the enactment of the Bills on cohabitation and whistle-blowers. A new Nationalist government would again move those Bills, he said.

MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT

Asked whether there had been particular issues in his meeting with the President this morning, Dr Gonzi explained that in terms of the Constitution he advised the President to dissolve parliament and pointed out that it had been agreed with the Opposition that the House should be dissolved on January 7. The President was now carrying out the necessary verifications and was expected to take the required actions later today.