EU report shows how Malta does not need a change of direction - PM
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this evening that the European Commission's economic forecasts showing that Malta was outperforming the other member states proved that the country did not need a change in direction.
"The PN does not have the right to always win the elections and we must work hard to win the next one," Dr Gonzi said in Ghajnsielem, Gozo.
"However during this campaign we've given ample proof that we are the right party with the right policies for Malta and we deserve to continue to govern the country for the coming five years", he said to rapturous chanting of "Gonzi, Gonzi"
Dr Gonzi said it was only Joseph Muscat who was claiming that there was a need of a change in direction, but the country should ask itself about whether it needed to risk the change.
The prime minister also said that the government was changing Gozo into a gem.
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j brincat
Feb 25th, 13:36
Of course not!
We keep GonziPN in eternum!
God's gift to Malta.
How lucky we all are for having GonziPN as PM!
Only problem that the very few feel luckier with him!
jb
A Galea
Feb 25th, 13:31
bidla kbira ghandu bzonn dan il pajjiz!! forsi nwaqqfu l korruzzjoni li hawn u nibdew nghixu ta nies. Joseph Muscat jidher li hu onest u ta min jafdah, wisq iktar serju u responsabbli. nhossni zbaljajt li vvutajt lil PN hames snin ilu, vera gvern arroganti u jahseb fih innifsu, gvern tas sinjuri u liz zghir jarmih!! issa gej irahhas il kontijiet wara li fniena?? hallina nghixu prim ministru
Victor Buhagiar
Feb 25th, 10:30
We need a new direction in Political Administration not necessarily in Economic matters. Sorry Dr Gonzi but the pN is now too arrogant, besides possible other negative attributes. Yes the PN in government did good things but unfortunately at the expense of others. So its time to fix the others now to progress. The "Steady as she goes" mentality isn't enough.
Mr Joe Cardona
Feb 25th, 07:58
Le ticcajta tridx bidla fid-direzzjoni. Jaqaw l-EU qed tiehu nasa papali. Taf li hawn aktar minn 7,000 ruh bla xoghol, u aktar minn 25,000 ruh jghixu fil-faxxa tal-faqar.
Simon Scerri
Feb 25th, 08:33
ghalhekk tal-Labour gabru madwar kwazi 600,000€..... qed nara hafna faqar fit-toroq??? Hallina Joe Cordina ara ir-realta vera, mhux dutrina laburista.
MT Caruana
Feb 25th, 13:06
@Simon Scerri
600,000€, il ftit min ghand il hafna........ir-realta hana, il PN kisser pajjiz.
A.M. Galea
Feb 25th, 14:28
Sur Scerri , jekk skont int għax il-PL ġabar €600,000 għax ma hawnx faqar , nista tgħidlek li meta bniedem ikollu xewqa kbira biex is-sitwazzjoni tinbidel għall aħjar , ikun lest li jagħmel kull sagrifiċċju biex jara li dan iseħħ . U dan is-sagrifiċċju għamluħ mhux biss Laburisti , izda nies li tradizzjonalment huma ta' prinċipju Nazzjonalista wkoll .
Anthony Arpa
Feb 25th, 07:54
il-bidla li hemm bzonn mijiex fid-direzjoni imma biss f'xi parlamentari(opporunisti) li kellhna fil parlament Malti.
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 24th, 21:19
After Dalligate can we be sure that Barroso is telling the truth about our growth projections? It seems that Gonzi and Barroso are in each other's pockets.
Anthony Scicluna
Feb 25th, 09:55
Do you evidence to back that up or is it a conjecture?
Philip Camilleri
Feb 24th, 21:12
When is malta going to be one district in elections and so reduce the power of ministers? this will lead to a reduction in favours being granted left right and centre to canvassers etc and possibly reflect a real democracy by having a third party reach the required national threshold to be present in parliament and act as a brake to dodgy deals.......
carmel cassar
Feb 24th, 19:02
Bzonn tal bidla ghas semplici raguni li hemm ma giex imholli lihom minn nannuhom, ghax hekk agixxew dawn l ahhar snin bmod specjali
Mario Cassar
Feb 25th, 08:40
Il-PN ghamel mil 87-96 u 98 sat 2013 ghax il-poplu ghazel lilu u mhux lil Lejber. Anzi kieku il-Lejber ma hasibx li l-poter hallihulom nannuhom, kieku ilhom fil gvern mill 81 mhux mill 87.
Bzonn tal bidla meta kullhadd qed jeghreq u ahna nwarrdu b'rizultat ta' hidma u par idejn sodi. Minn kien ghalik u ghal joseph tieghek kieku la qeghdin fl-eu u once li dhalna konna naghmlu bhal cipru.
Carmel Zammit
Feb 24th, 18:50
Joseph revealed the truth about the report and Gonzipn fiasco manifesto. As always gonzipn based its wishlist (manifesto) on erroneous economic growth assumptions. Gonzipn is a master in bad budgetary and economic calculations for which it has now become notorious even in EU circles. Remember last year budget? It had to be revised downward on EU insistence!!!!
Mr Joe Borg
Feb 24th, 18:26
X'ghazla ghandna nies? oppozizjoni li kienet:
kontra Malta fl-EU - illum nafu bil-beneficji li Malta hadet mil-EU,
kontra l-introduzjoni l-euro - l-EU fahret il-mod kief Malta introduciet l-ewro,
konvint li Malta kellha timita l-ekonomija ta Cipru - illum nafu Cipru kif spiccat,
indiceziva fuq il-pozizjoni ta Malta fil-kwistjoni tal-Libja - Il-pajjiz kollha fahru il-pozizzjoni li hadet Malta
Charles Massa
Feb 24th, 17:01
Il bidla hemm bzonn sur prim. U meta l poplu jiftakar il wedghi li ma inzammux, min xix ghaddew il haddiema tal Air Malta, Sea Malta, GO, Malta Drydocls, Malta Shipbuilding, il waiting list l isptar, in nies fil kurutiri l isptar, il commissions li ghadA GHAS Sdww fix xiri taz zejt u poplu ihallas kontijiet esagirati ta dawl/ilma, il fjask Arriva, impiegi Smart City u ohrajn, IL POPLU IRID BIDLA
Benjamin Borg Grech
Feb 24th, 16:54
Let's face it, we like most other countries have a corrupt system in which we cannot hold our representatives responsible, whichever party they are with. We are given the choice of who we think might be less irresponsible or less of an evil if you will than the other party. A party that truly cares is transparent and makes it possible for the people to hold them accountable for their failures.
A Trapani
Feb 24th, 18:55
let's face it, the future of our country does not only depend on curruption and who will fight curruption best. The choice is between a PN who, with all defects, has brought the country forward dispite hard times internally and externally and LP with an old baggage, ties & backdrops in all shades of blue, curruption whilst in opposition, gimmicks, vague power plan, blurred proposals and direction.
K Grech
Feb 25th, 07:25
Trapani - 'curruption whilst in opposition' may you elaborate more on that?
Joseph Grech Attard
Feb 24th, 15:54
Dear PM, as usual you compare with the worst. If we have done well under your government with great fiascoes that override the good things done, we can surely do much better without you. Isn't it logical? So please let us find newer and healthier pastures, so thaf we can fare much better and not just good.
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 24th, 15:12
Perhaps Dr Gonzi can explain to us what exactly has been his direction over the last 5 years? They have been 5 years of dismal failures: the project which won him the election the last time around (Smart CIty) has evaportaed, the promise of a clean administration has evaporated, no control of the public debt (over 5000 million and still rising)... we have just an artificial feel good factor.
Massimo Gatt
Feb 24th, 12:52
This is the problem with GonziPN. They think that they somehow have a RIGHT to our vote. It is not the case. The voters will decide based on their own experiences with the government in the last 5 years.
In the last 5 years I experienced failed projects, unfulfilled promises, Electricity bills which are almost 2 times more than the EU average and a decrease in the quality of my lifestyle.
mark borg
Feb 24th, 12:14
your crying prim minister is really annoying everyone . even on the Dissett programm , you just ignored all questions and delivered the same adnauseum speech.
jm busuttil
Feb 24th, 13:25
@ mark borg
We did not seem to have seen the same Dissett.
The prime minister does not have to cry his achievements are well known and can bee seen and read on the true independent media.
Mr Stephen Borg
Feb 24th, 18:35
Yeah Yeah his achievements!!!! What achievements the far below standard wages offered to Maltese workers, the ever rising cost of living, some of the most expensive utility tariffs to support commissions for the few, the never ending waiting lists at Mater Dei, the ever rising corruption perception index, Arriva, BWSC and many many many others.
Roger Mifsud
Feb 24th, 10:50
What the EU report shows indisputably, is not that Malta does not need a change, and that is opinion, but that, and this is fact, postman Tonio's projections in the last budget, on which Simon Busuttil based 'his' electoral manifesto, are way out wrong. The projections being glaringly wrong, means that the manifesto cannot be implemented. Perhaps Simon will now write us another?
Adrian Schembri
Feb 24th, 09:27
Hawn xi hadd li nnota imma li l-forecasts ta' l-Ewropa fuq it-tkabbir ta' l-ekonomija Maltija huma biss ftit iktar min-nofs minn dawk li qed jghid Tonio Fenech? Nistghu nimmaginaw kemm se jigi malajr is-surplus mela...
John Azzopoardi
Feb 24th, 00:16
Yes, but Mr. Prim Ministru, it is up to the people to decide ...........le.......that what democracies are for. Many people for some reason or another feel agrieved.
Joe Grech
Feb 23rd, 23:48
Under Lawrence Gonzi we saw inefficiency and deceit. Inefficiency in the collecting of VAT - there was a scam at the Vat dept but Tonio Fenech was asleep and did not know about it!
When the PM gives himself and cabinet a e500 pay rise without telling anybody, even PN MPs and Parliament itself - what's that if not DECEIT.
God help Malta and Gozo if the PN are re-elected.
Time for change!
Massimo Gatt
Feb 23rd, 22:37
I correct my previous mistake, I meant surveys.
Massimo Gatt
Feb 23rd, 22:36
GonziPN living in a delusional world. Hope they wake up in March 10th after a huge wake-up call with the Landslide victory the PL will achieve. Servers showing 13% lead by the PL with the which is still increasing with only 2 weeks left to the general election.
jm busuttil
Feb 24th, 13:27
Which surveys are you talking about?
What is the % of the undecided ?
As long as you feel better a fulfilled keep on believing them.
Massimo Gatt
Feb 24th, 18:46
The margin of error 3.5% compensates for those undecided voters and other things that may affect the outcome.
K.G. Vella
Feb 23rd, 22:20
"However during this campaign we've given ample proof that we are the right party with the right policies for Malta and we deserve to continue to govern the country for the coming five years". How, by slinging mud? I'm sorry but the Maltese and Gozitan people deserve much better! The list of long policies could fill an encyclopedia and I have very few characters left!
DC Agius
Feb 23rd, 22:16
Qed nghidlek xi ''proof'' tajtna sur prim ministru! L-aktar bil-kampanja sewda li mexxejt, ibda bid-diskors dispreggattiv, kompli bl-attitudni ta' superjorita assoluta u spicca bil-billboards bis-sugu li ghogbok tesponilna.
Andrew Borg
Feb 23rd, 21:56
Kellu jkun rapport minn grupp barannin biex jiftahlek ghajnejk Gonzi li din il linja ta attakk kellha tkun kwazi l-unika wahda fil kampanja taghkom? S'issa, campaign strategy zbaljat. Mhux qed nghid li b'dan il fokus tirbhu imma ghal-inqas you could have a fighting chance
Charles Massa
Feb 23rd, 21:39
U fuq liema kritrju ghanduk tkun prim ministru ghal 5 snin li gejjin? Biex tiehu Euro 500 zieda fil gimgha? Biex il poplu ikompli ihallas kontijiet gholja ta dawl/ilma? Biex il ministri ikomplu jiehdu rigali minn xi hadd li jammirhom? Biex il wedghi ma jitwettqux? L EU qalet change in direction u mhux change in government. Hallina prim
j brincat
Feb 23rd, 21:33
@George Cutajar
"but the PN gave us GPS which will get us from point A to point B without passing us through bumpy roads"
A GPS which will take us directly into one of our innumerable pot holes risking life and limb in the process!
jb
JOHN WHITE
Feb 24th, 17:48
In which particular road are you referring to? The one starting from the airport,to continue to Qormi,then to Zebbug etc etc Try another one...
George Cutajar
Feb 23rd, 21:11
With all it's defects and problems the PN is still the only party which can give Malta the right direction. JM and Labour have been proposing a chnage of direction but have not told us which direction they want to take us. They gave us a roadmap with many wishes but the PN gave us GPS which will get us from point A to point B without passing us through bumpy roads.
Carmel Zammit
Feb 24th, 09:03
Inherently a roadmap implies direction so what you claim is baseless. PN's GPS is only imaginary. PN has spending plans but no action plan. We simply get more of the same. Higher debt mountain, uncontrolled deficit, injustices, dodgy health services, corruption etc. etc. As Benjamin Franklin said “The good Paymaster is Lord of another man's Purse”.
A. Sultana
Feb 23rd, 21:06
I do agree that we need a change in administration but a change in direction as Muscat is proposing is crazy.
K.G. Vella
Feb 23rd, 22:18
Mr. Sultana Dr.Muscat is proposing a change in direction where it is needed, for example in accountability.
Joseph Mifsud
Feb 25th, 13:04
A change in direction...he is meaning a change in the way we do politics....in accountability....in transparency....in being proactive and not retroactive. These are things which PN lacked big time.
j brincat
Feb 23rd, 20:58
"The prime minister also said that the government was changing Gozo into a gem"
BUT this is not what the Gozitans are saying?
jb
JOHN WHITE
Feb 24th, 17:50
Maybe our dear JM would like to clarify what exactly will do for Gozo if elected as i`m not mistaken no concrete plans were made.
Joseph Mifsud
Feb 25th, 13:02
@John White
He promised a much more feasable project than a fantasy called bridge/tunnel....just a speedy service between Gozo and Valletta to make it easier for businesses to transfer their goods and be shipped abroad. He promised tax benefits for new businesses in Gozo. He promised a cruise liner terminal. Is it more than the useless EcoGozo??
j brincat
Feb 23rd, 20:56
"However during this campaign we've given ample proof that we are the right party with the right policies for Malta"
What proof
How?
jb
j brincat
Feb 23rd, 20:55
"EU report shows how Malta does not need a change of direction - PM"
Does he expect us to vote him in for another 5 years?
For what?
For burdening us with the highest W & E bills
For taking €500 a WEEK behind our backs
For lumping us with a debt of € 5 billion
For Enemalta
For Air Malta
For the 7000 IT jobs in Smart City
For the 101 unkept promises
For what??
jb
G. Cachia
Feb 23rd, 22:06
Sur Brincat hadd mhu qed jitolbok tivvota PN.
Il-5600 jobs ta'Samrt City ghadhom ma gewx imma l-20,000 job fl-ahhar 5 snin saru u staqsi lil minn gawda minnhom.
Tinsiex l-5 biljun dejn li ghandu il-pajjiz ma sarux fl-ahhar 5 snin. Kwazi 1 biljun minnhon saru fit-22 xahar li l-Partit Laburista ghamel fil-Gvern u 1 biljun iehor tat-Tarzna.
Carmel Zammit
Feb 24th, 09:48
Add:
Arriva
Dumped GO workers
Dumped Dockyard employees
Precarious jobs even in government departments
Scandalous BWSC contract (penalty for withdrawing from contract higher than the value of the contract's worth)
Failure to abide by EU rules leading us to pay penalties.
Misleading bird trappers and hunters
White rocks
Increase of people on the poverty line
Taxing minimumum wage earners
M Borg
Feb 24th, 10:46
For what?
For taking the right decisions, like:-
joining Europe
For not doing like Cyprus
For not building a new power station we do not need
For creating 20000 new jobs
for having 5000 students graduating each year
for a hospital state of the art with professional service
for giving us a strong economy when our neighbours are all drowning in debt
Need I say more?
No because with you it's useless.
M Borg
Feb 24th, 12:37
For succeeding to distinguish between a block of white powder and a block of ice.
For acting against corruption by handing reports to the police to investigate and not hiding evidence of drugs in party clubs
JOHN WHITE
Feb 24th, 18:01
Mr Zammit can i correct you? The gov did not dump Dockyard workers,he dumped that blood sucking machine called "Tarzna" from our shoulder. Dumping those old buses for us Maltese to stay comfortable and enjoying ac in Summer & heater in Winter(which was a dream for the old buses).
@ M.Borg
Please include also the fact that thanks to PN that we are in eurozone.Also for an upgraded MCAST etc etc
Mr Stephen Borg
Feb 24th, 18:39
@G. Cachia
20,000 new jobs, ha ha ha, do you mean the 7000 below standard jobs based on cheap labour and exploitation.
Please choose the reason of your report below: