Gonzi: PL promises undermine financial stability
Published January 7
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told supporters in the PN's first campaign rally this evening that the PL was making irresponsible promises which would undermine financial stability.
Speaking at PN headquarters, Dr Gonzi said the consequences of Labour's promises would be much more serious than in 1996, when it removed VAT and put government finances in turmoil.
Malta would be rendered a beggar like neighbouring countries that had to take tough austerity measures in order to be able to borrow from the IMF. Those countries had seen civil servants dismissed, health services scaled back and children allowances removed.
"I promise that I will never allow my country to be reduced to that state, to be humiliated in that way," Dr Gonzi said.
Therefore, promising 'A Secure Future' was not just a (PN election) slogan, it was a commitment, Dr Gonzi said.
The people should not take risks but stick to the government and its proven record, he said.
Earlier, he said the government was proud of the results it had achieved in difficult times and was confident it could do even better in better times.
That was why the PN was going for the election confident that it could and should win it.
"I race to win," Dr Gonzi said to applause.
"We have a bright future ahead of us," he added.
Dr Gonzi urged his listeners to compare the situation in Malta with that of neighbouring countries and underlined the role which the EU had played in safeguarding its members and helping them out of the crisis.
The EU, he said, was now better prepared for economic growth, and this meant more work and jobs for Malta.
"We have to be prepared to grasp the opportunities coming our way," he said, pointing out that the scenario had also changed on the southern Mediterranean rim and the dictators had been consigned to history.
The first hours of the electoral campaign had already brought out differences between the political parties, Dr Gonzi said. The PN was speaking about the future, a secure future based on jobs, health and education, while Labour was focused on gimmicks and meaningless billboards.
He said a future PN government would remain committed to job creation and to creating the right business environment to encourage investment, both major and small.
Dr Gonzi also reiterated the PN's commitment to a free, quality health service and an education system which was the cherry on the cake of the PN's achievements.
One could remember what Labour did when the people trusted it 'for five minutes' in 1996 and stipends became loans, he said. Those people, including Evarist Bartolo, were still there and could not be trusted in government.
He said the PN also remained committed to helping the vulnerable, including the disabled, those with housing problems, those who were abused, among others.
The rally was also addressed by PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil and Secretary General Paul Borg Olivier.
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Mario Camilleri
Jan 8th, 11:20
"Dr Gonzi said. The PN.......the future, a secure future based on jobs, health and education"
Some Gov schools lack cleanliness due to shortage of cleaning staff.
Mrs Cristina and Dr Cassar, schools are not the tidiest of places especially were children's health is concerned. Who shall be held accountable and responsible should there be an infectious outbreak?
Mosta Prim is an example!!
Joseph Camilleri
Jan 8th, 09:56
"I race to win"!
Dr Gonzi, this is not about you, its about the people. At the end of the day, it is the people that have to win, not you or Joseph Muscat.
Carmel Borg
Jan 8th, 10:39
You sound like a typical labourite who intentionally leaves out the whole phrase or takes out of context..
LG said I race to win, but he also said that the win will not be ours (PN) but yours (the people).
Ramon Mangion
Jan 8th, 11:33
Carmel , you sound like a typical GonziPN appologist
M Grima
Jan 8th, 09:17
This time round the strategists at the PN are getting it completely wrong. The fear factor which has won them several elections in the past will not work against a motivated and energetic movement led by young Joseph.The politics of the past the PN is adopting will not work against the politics of inclusiveness and unity of the PL movement.
C Muscat
Jan 8th, 09:12
Gonzi jitkellem fuq PL?? Ghidilna kemm hu d dejn; ghidilna li anke l-lottu bihhejt u dahhalt il-flus kollha ghal 10 snin li gejjin; ghidilna li lil BWSC hallastu kollox anke jekk mhix tahdem sew u ta dellimara ghada dejn, ghidilna lilna tal-paga kemm faqqartna;
ghidli fejn ser nahdem ghax tahtek spiccajt bla xoghol.
j brincat
Jan 8th, 09:03
Seems that both political leaders love being surrounded by young faces!
And we, the older folks, seem to be good only 'ghall-gas'.
But then they love our vote, don't they!
jb
M Grima
Jan 8th, 09:02
There we go again, the politics of scaremongering and negativity by GonziPN. The politics of fear has always been an art, ably mastered by the party of the clique. The PN has won the last three elections on the same ticket, but this time round they will be finding an adversary who oozes freshness in Maltese politics. Dr. Muscat has been calling for unity among the Maltese while Gonzi screams fear.
Carmel Borg
Jan 8th, 09:30
1 of 2
PN ensures to remind what labour is, not what it thinks it i but with facts and facts are generally history. Now if labour's history is one which instils fear,its' not PN fault but only labour's. After all even young Joseph was there back then all against VAT and in favour of CET, all against EU and in favour of a Med Swiss, telling us to copy Cyprus when in fact we are far better off.
Carmel Borg
Jan 8th, 09:35
2 of 2
Oh yes I wish a better PN, but it is also true that labour's track record makes me shiver, and I'm not thinking about the old regime (god forbid those days again) but their way of doing politics, such as the last time they were there (96-98). Look deep, the policies and gimmicks have not changed a bit. Its all a game for them.
Gorg Borg
Jan 8th, 11:26
@ Carmel Borg
Labours track history makes me shiver too , but thats way HISTORY. Get over it and move on !!! All countries had their bad moment, some too longer and some stayed at that moment. Thanks for PN for changing. But i am not gonna consider my vote based on that
John Caruana
Jan 8th, 09:01
Intom il-politici,l-Onorevoli parlamentari, dejjem tattakkaw u tippruvaw tumiljaw lil xulxin. Aghmluli pjacir xi darba semmghu ftit fuq it-tajjeb tal-avversarji taghkom mhux dejjem TIEGHI KOLLOX TAJJEB U TA" L-IEHOR KOLLOX HAZIN.
M Grima
Jan 8th, 09:31
Jekk smajt lill-Joseph Muscat il-bierah ghamel ezatt dak li qed tighid int. Infatti sellem u rrikonoxxa l-Indipendenza u dhul ta Malta fl EU li gabu in-Nazzjonalisti u fahhar wkoll lill Malta Republika u meta telqu l-Inglizi. Semma wholl lill Nerik Mizzi u lill Manuel Dimech u il-hsiebijiet taghhom.
Semma u fahhar lill kull prottagonist fl' Istorjka ta Malta. Din tfisser l-unita li jrid Joseph.
A.Felix Busuttil
Jan 8th, 09:00
What does FUTUR FIS SOD MEANS?
deficit, beds in hospital corridors, medicine out of stock, high utility prices, MEPA, Arriva, Smart city,Gozo terminal taking 17 years to finish, is this what GonziPN are projecting?
Carmel Borg
Jan 8th, 09:42
Maybe it means having a better country, which by the way we already have than those we used to ogle, such as Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Abel's Europe (as MLP used to refer to the old east bloc) etc....
j brincat
Jan 8th, 09:00
"I race to win," Dr Gonzi said to applause"
Obviously, especially when one races with himself AND by himself.
And what did we get for such a donkey race?
More instability and uncertainty.
And aren't such words divisive when we as a minute nation should be united as one.
Isn't this throwing us in the past?
But then GonziPN loves dwelling down memory lane.
jb
Pippo de Marco
Jan 8th, 08:49
" A future PN government would remain committed to job creation and to creating the right business environment to encourage investment, both major and small".
In other words, more unsustainable development and more outrageous Mepa decisions. The 'PN -friendly' sector of the business environment will be looked after at the expense of the real environment.
I.e. more of the same.
Joseph Camilleri
Jan 8th, 08:42
Dr Gonzi remains the dynamic driver that has concrete ideas which led us to where we are today.
He said meaningless bill boards, he may have said it in a very casual way , but the truth is those billboards offer us nothing but vulgar christmas wishes and a new year greeting on a black sombre background. I shudder to think what damage can be done if lejber is elected. God Forbid!
Pippo de Marco
Jan 8th, 16:41
You are right about the Concrete ideas, Joseph... Gonzi and his chums have tried their best to bury Malta under millions of tonnes of it. - And who has benefitted from all this 'development' ? - Not me, how about you ?
j brincat
Jan 8th, 08:36
So now it's 'Futur fus-Sod'!
Who remembers 'Finanzi fis-Sod?
And what did we get for the latter promise?
An astronomical public debt reaching 5 billion euro AND we, the poor taxpayers, have to service such a debt (pay interest when it falls due ) through our hard earned money.
So what will another gimmicky slogan of 'Futur fis-Sod' get us?
One shudders to think!
jb
Paul Micallef
Jan 8th, 07:38
You didn't worry about giving you and your friends 500 EUROS a week, that did not break the KITTY so how come PL promises change and things to help us the people, it is going to break the KITTY??? MELA MHUX FINNANZI FIS SOD????
John Scerri
Jan 8th, 07:35
One cannot deny the positive results but there are several issues which PN in power failed to tackle,foresee or took a long time to take remedial action.
Each individual feels one's own pain. This is fact.
This fault brought about concern and mistrust among many who thought they would never vote other than PN.
It is natural that they will seek an alternative ...but NOT the unknown.
peter Bongailas
Jan 8th, 07:34
dr gonzi please stop picking on personal issues . we only want proposals and a battle on issues not a campaign on scaring people .
unity is the best thing . At the end of the day this small country is a one whole family .
Zuzu Borg
Jan 8th, 14:17
What unity you are talking about ?This unity will be there until the 10of March.The unity the PN brought it in
Malta in 1987 and it is still there.I want to be near PBS if the LP win to see many of the presenters there thrown out ,or like Ms Dalli sad to make audit of the civil workers.Even before 1996 that what Sant wanted but others sad my door is open for Lejber only.Thats will be the UNITY
Mr Adrian Zahra
Jan 8th, 06:08
I believe that the real issue undermining our own financial stability are the 5billion euro + of debt that irresponsible administrations have dumped us with. Can I know.from both parties how they intend to go around this ?
Mario Scicluna
Jan 8th, 05:09
Bhalissa tal-PN qabadhom paniku shih! Lanqas jafu x'laqathom, jidru vizibilment mifxulin, mhumiex ippreparati filwaqt li qed jipproponu ideat u slogans riciklati! Minghalihom ta' GonziPN li dak il-poplu li warrbu u nsew tul legislazzjoni shiha ser jinsa min xiex ghadda! U ghalxejn l-apologisti mqabbda u kkordinati u orkestrati minn Tal-Pieta(u naf x'qed nghid) qeghdin jifgaw l-blogs u jharbxu!
Joseph Micallef
Jan 8th, 00:56
Mur tellaq Gonzi. Mdorri ttellaq waħdek. Tassumix li t-tlielaq hemm barra iżda huma l-istess bħal dawk li tellaqt fihom inti fid-dar ċentrali. Hemm barra hemm partit b'saħħtu, armat sa snienu u organizzat aktar minn qatt qabel li trid teħoda miegħu. Nawguralek.. għaliex il-vera għandek bżonn sabiex forsi jafdak xi ħadd. Il-fiduċja tiegħi ilek li tliftha.
Joseph Micallef
Jan 8th, 00:54
Kif nista nafdak GonziPN meta dhaqt bijja u bil-familja tieghi? Weghdtni li se jkolli l-job guaranteed. Wiehed mill-eks ħaddiema tal-GO jien. Għad għandi l-ittra iffirmata minn għandek. U jien fdajtek fit-2008. Imma issa mintix se tidħaq bijja. Anzi sabiex naċċerta ruħi li nirreċiproka l-ingann tiegħek tiegħek lejja, jien u familti i.e. 5 b'kollox se nivvutaw bil-qalb kontrik.
Sue Anne Azzopardi
Jan 8th, 09:06
Int wiehed minn dawk li tivvota - tini biex intik u mhux tivvota dak li huwa gid ghal pajjizna biex jimxi l-quddiem
Joseph Micallef
Jan 8th, 00:52
Sorry Gonzi, not even the EU is trusting you... Tonio Borg was the first commissioner ever to be asked to sign a declaration about his past statements. The EU is not believing Gonzi. Even the report issued by the commission is not believing Gonzi in his predictions, so much so that they are envisaging that electricity tariffs would soar in the coming years. Allura kif nista nafdak jien?
Joseph Micallef
Jan 8th, 00:18
GonziPN mohhu fil-Partit Laburista. Mhux ahjar jghidilna x'se jaghmel hu? Sissa anqas logo u billboard ma kien kapaci jaghmel ghaliex il-logo hu reciklat mill-NBC u billboard minn Obama, bhala parti minn sekwenza ta' ikkupjar, bhal dak ikkupjat mill-konservattivi inglizi. Insomma, dawn esperti ghal ikkupjar, forsi l-onor David Agius jifem aktar f'dan il-qasam.
P Borg
Jan 7th, 23:52
My family and I benefited enormously from various measures implemented by the PN government, and joining the EU changed our lives completely. The doors of opportunity were opened wide by the PN. On the other hand, the current MLP leadership worked very hard to deny us the EU opportunity. Would I be in my right senses if I vote for MLP?!
Joseph Buhagiar
Jan 7th, 23:46
I quote F. Debono "What happened today showed how some people's only concern is to cling to power and procrastinate at all costs because they enjoy a comfortable position,"
Now it seems that the strategy to cling to power is going to be to make the people afraid.
So confident, a school every day, a minute later a school every year. About Austin Gatt ???
I wish to, but I am not convinced yet.
Carlo Cassar
Jan 7th, 23:41
As I heard the PN supporters chanting 'Gonzi jerga' jkun fil-gvern alleluljah' in the PN headquarters this evening it reminded me of the old Labour times of the 80's. The PN seems short of ideas and offering more of the same.This time It is the PN who is being arrogant and in a state of panic. Malta needs a new government.
OMar Micallef
Jan 7th, 22:35
About time lets go for it !!!
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jan 7th, 21:49
I can't wait to see the PL election programme only to see any person of competence (including the PN) shoot down all their proposals for being impractical or downright ridiculous.
That is if they EVER reveal a proper programme, which is something I'm starting to doubt they'll do.
Joseph Buhagiar
Jan 7th, 23:28
Your attitude! You think that you and only you are competent. Half of Malta is ignorant. This is why floating voters want a change. Arrogance and Attitude changes everything.
The truth is if you really want to know, because I am neither PN not LP that the electricity rates of the New power station in Malta are the highest in Europe. Give me a good reason why?
Joseph Bonnici
Jan 8th, 02:05
Can you tell me what the Gonzipn electoral programme is Dear Mr. Spiteri. Of course you can't because Gonzipn has none.
John L Galea
Jan 8th, 07:21
Keep on dreaming
George Cutajar
Jan 7th, 21:48
To all PL apologists - just explain how a euro sceptic Leader and his deputy - both of whom either framed their vote in the EU referendum or voted against can now claim that our place is in Europe. Thanks in part to JM back in 1996 we were frozen out of Europe and had it been for him we would not have joined. Is he willing to apologise publicly for being on the wrong side of history?
David Scicluna
Jan 7th, 22:54
Apologize for what? For having a different opinion than yours? What a cheek! How arrogant!
Donna Parnis
Jan 7th, 23:36
Why should JM apologize,at the time he believed we should not enter the Eu, but the labour party go with the will of the people, the people voted for it so he went along, What about Gonzi with the divorce issue, the people also voted in favour but he voted against, yet again showing us that the will of the people really dont count.
Peppi Borg
Jan 7th, 21:39
"I race to win"- Gonzi- Ah that's why you raced in a one horse race and when you didn't resign from the same post! You know what I call gimmicks? Those who find contractors in the yellow pages or those who award themselves a 500 euro plus payrise per week!
Joseph Xuereb
Jan 7th, 22:01
Gonzi won against Alfred Sant when everyone thought that MLP will win with thousands of votes and his confirmation was not a race but to make sure all were behind him. The one horse race involved Louis Grech after backstabbing and humiliating Anglu. Gonzi discussed the important issues and your JM makes sure he does not mention the word Partit Laburista at your rally. Jisthi isemmih!!!!!
John Bonello
Jan 7th, 22:22
@peppi Borg.
I think you suffer from short memory, not long ago MLP had a single race and most probably you forgot AS backing for JM during the leadership race....the LP media Baise in favor of JM, ask George Abela he knows better than most of us.
Malcolm Farrugia
Jan 7th, 21:24
This country needs a social justice revolution. If there was ever a need for change, it's now, for the sake of helping the families to start earning a decent pay, while paying decent utility tariffs!
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jan 7th, 21:47
Malcolm if the PL carries on with this train of promises of everything to everyone families will be begging to earn ANY pay, let alone decent ones.
Is the PN the holy grail? No, but at least they're doing what they can. It's not perfect, but it's light years away from the utter rubbish the PL has come up with for this election.
I Bugeja
Jan 7th, 21:24
Scaring the people has already worked once. Will it work this time again?
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jan 7th, 21:45
Dear Ms/Mr Bugeja,
The EU economy still hasn't recuperated from the downturn it experienced these past few years, so putting people on guard that with PL mismanagement we're staking all of the good we have achieved so far isn't scaremongering, but simple truth. It wasn't the PN who told the PL what to do; they came up with their impossible promises all by themselves. I'm sure the PL is proud
Joseph Bonnici
Jan 8th, 02:00
Reuben, jaqaw ha titlef il pappa li qed tgawdi mal- klikka Gonzipn. You are defending the undifensible.
Carlo Cassar
Jan 7th, 21:18
Before every election dr. Gonzi promises many things but delivers much different. Whatever he did during the past 5 years it was his job to do it out of the tax payers money. We have to see what he did not do or what he did wrong. Its time for a change and to give dr. Muscat a chance to manage this country hopefully in a much more responsible way.
C. Sammut
Jan 7th, 21:16
To be elected, your party needs votes of people who have been humiliated Dr Gonzi...
Charles Cremona
Jan 7th, 21:13
If Muscat is elected Malta will be seeking a bailout within six months.
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jan 7th, 21:41
I'm no prophet, but I don't think that dear Joseph will beat Alfed Sant's 22 month record... he'll be out earlier than that!
Joseph Bonnici
Jan 8th, 01:56
Just keep on dreaming, both of you Charles and Reuben.
John Bonello
Jan 7th, 21:04
@Mr. M. Camilleri
Yes Camilleri but thats well beyond us now we moved away from the 80's regime, & we are proud of what we achieved under the PN government..every time we took a risk with a PN government we won example EU, the Introduction of the Euro and other reforms which secured thousands of jobs in Malta..yes I trust my future in a PN government for security & stability & creation of wealth
Neil Dent
Jan 7th, 21:01
From day one the PN gets straight down to issues, while the MLP simply showboats, gets all nostalgic, bandies tear-jerking Americanized cliches around, holds a midnight billboard signing ceremony (just imagine Fenech Adami, Gonzi, or most of all Mintoff), oh and throws in a light show to boot (remember the EU accession celebrations anyone).
WHERE'S THE BEEF JOSEPH?
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jan 7th, 21:40
I think Mintoff would spin in his grave like a top if he saw how his party has been reduced by such a sorry bunch of so-called politicians.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jan 8th, 04:21
Oh, so Mintoff is now a PN hero?
Neil Dent
Jan 8th, 08:20
Not in the slightest Mr. Chetcuti - if that's the sentiment you took from my comment then you obviously didn't understand it.
Tony Zammit Cutajar
Jan 7th, 20:50
Could Dr.Gonzi be much more specific about his party's plans about helping the disabled or should I perhaps wait for the party's electoral manifesto?
J Scicluna
Jan 7th, 20:41
Ahjar ma titkellimx fuq l-umiljazzjonijiet ! Filkaz ibda billi ssemmmi kif int bhala mexxej tal-PN umiljajt lil hafna li kellhom dan il-partit ghal-qalbhom biex qdejt lil erba cwiec li fl-ahhar ara fiex gabuk!!!
m. borg (slm)
Jan 7th, 20:35
Didn't gonzi during the Franco-Gonzi saga say that he will relinquish his post as leader and PM if gonzipn wins?
Will he make that promise again or does he think people are so dumb that they forget his empty promises.
Tony Zammit
Jan 7th, 20:26
Malta is already humiliated with this Arriva bus company you got us..Ask the english how much they laughed at us.
Mr. M. Camilleri
Jan 7th, 19:59
"I promise that I will never allow my country to be reduced to that state, to be humiliated in that way," Dr Gonzi said.
Malta has already been humiliated dear PM!!!
Too late!!!
Joseph Portelli
Jan 7th, 20:52
Sur M Camilleri,
taf x'qed tghid???? umiljata Malta?? umiljata spanja, grecja, cipru, portugall, irlanda u tant u tant ohrajn mela Malta!!! rekord ta' turizmu, xoghol, etc...
Armando D`amico
Jan 7th, 21:14
Can you explain where are the 52% youth unemployment like in spain ?
Can you explain which Maltese bank is closing down ? apparti il ftuh tal fin bank u banif fdawn lahhar snien ?
Can you explain kif qed thossok umiljat? ghax bhala malti qbist ghal min kien qed ibghatu flarab spring???
Spjegali min xix qed tisthi please , mil fatt li inholqu 20 000 post tax xoghol??
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jan 7th, 21:38
Dear sir,
you have no idea what humiliation your dear Joseph will drag us through if (God forbid) he is elected PM of Malta. I don't know either and I'm not interested in finding out!
ivor scicluna
Jan 7th, 21:43
@Mr. Portelli. Inhossni umiljat meta Prim Ministru jigdeb sfaccatament fuq program televiziv biex jiehu vantagg politiku. Inhossni umiljat meta jkollna sitwazzjoni guridika li qed taqgha bicca bicca. Inhossni umiljat meta ministru malti mtella fil kabinett mill-maltin umbghad jghajjarhom cwiec. Inhossni kburi meta nara lil Malta fuq quddiem min pajjizi ohra u mhux fil-lista tal-korruzzjoni.
Please choose the reason of your report below: