Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday directed at Labour leader Joseph Muscat a slogan used by Mcast students earlier this week.

“Shame on you, Joseph Muscat, for trying to freeze EU funds earmarked for the upgrading of the Sant’Antnin waste recycling plant. Shame on you, Joseph Muscat, for saying we should emulate Cyprus,” he said.

“Why should we trust our country in the hands of a person who always gave us bad advice when there is the Nationalist Party that delivered results,” he asked at a political event in Gżira.

He said the PN did not have the automatic right to govern the country but was given this privilege five years ago and was returning a stronger and better country “with a fabulous reputation”.

Dr Gonzi said Malta had passed the European Commission’s winter assessment with flying colours, placing second among eurozone countries in terms of forecast economic growth. With regard to the leader of the Opposition he said, “Joseph Muscat is a risk. His own words and actions prove this. This electoral campaign and his past decisions and advice shows the extent of the risk,” he said.

The event was addressed by candidates contesting the 10th district.

One of them, Joanna Agius, joked that the electoral campaign was uncovering Labour’s real face as Dr Muscat’s infamous block of ice (his way of referring to the block of cocaine reportedly seen at the Safi Labour Party club) was melting.

Another candidate, Noel Muscat, warned people to be very careful how to use their vote.

“Here we have a captain who steered the country across the high seas and got us through the storm.

“The option is someone who has absolutely no substance and is just a polished political bluff,” he said to rousing applause.