The final leaders’ debate before Saturday’s general election saw both Nationalist and Labour party leaders stick to their electoral scripts.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told the country that “our decisions might not have been popular, but look at the results,” while PL leader Joseph Muscat argued that it was time for a government that would “lead by example”.

Dr Gonzi set out the PN’s objectives for the next five years, from a new MCAST campus for youths to a raft of job creation incentives and fiscal benefits for those buying a first or even a second home.

He also pitched to the elderly, saying those over 75 would receive a supplementary allowance, service pension anomalies would be fixed and pensioners would receive tax breaks if they opted to continue work.

“If it were up to him,” the Prime Minister said with reference to Muscat, “the dockyard would still be open, sucking €35 million a year out of our economy.”

But Dr Gonzi’s pledges did not wash with his political rival. “In this very debate five years ago, the Prime Minister used the promise of 7,000 jobs at Smart City as his battle horse. They first promised to fix service pensions back in 1992 – we are being honest when we say it will take more than five years to fix,” Dr Muscat said.

He said Government had to lead by example, make politicians accountable and be willing to work with everyone, “above all the Opposition”.

The Prime Minister juxtaposed the Maltese economy against that of its neighbouring countries, saying Dr Muscat seemed eager to hide talk of the recession.

He noted that Malta was one of a small number of EU countries to have a deficit below the three per cent EU target, and argued that Dr Muscat had a history of making poor suggestions, from his opposing EU membership to protesting the dockyard’s closure.

“When you see the economies around us flag while Malta's continues to move forward as an exception in the Mediterranean, it must cross your mind that we’re doing something right!” he exclaimed.

That prompted Dr Muscat to acknowledge successes in the financial services and remote gaming sectors, but question the government’s broader track record.

“Every government has successes. But there are problems with precarious work, with a squeezed middle class, with families and businesses crucified by energy tariffs,” he said.

Dr Muscat argued that Maltese were becoming poorer relative to their European cousins, citing statistics indicating an €8 per week fall in the average citizen’s purchasing power over the past three-and-a-half years. The average European’s wage was worth €13-a-week more now than back then, he added.

The Prime Minister’s mention of Malta’s €1,128 million EU budget package prompted Dr Muscat to argue that the sum was “about as much as Malta spends on oil in just under three years” and saying the PL’s energy plan would bring about across-the-board utility bill reductions.

Dr Gonzi slightly modified his party’s main electoral pledge, improving it to say “at least” 25,000 jobs needed to be created within the next legislature and pointing to tourism, manufacturing and aviation – which have all done extremely over the past five years – as key sectors in driving forward job creation.

Both leaders ended the debate with respective appeals to the electorate. Dr Gonzi indirectly acknowledged problems – “it wasn’t all roses,” he said – but argued that, all things considered, Malta was doing well.

“We cannot hide our colours – blue or red. A lot of things can happen in five years. There will be storms to come in the future, but if we overcame previous problems together, why not the next ones too?”

Dr Muscat said the PL would embrace accountability, doing away with “oligarchies” and giving everyone a fair shot. “You may not agree with us, but you can work with us,” he said.

“Take this step with us,” he told voters. “We’ve changed the Labour party and opened it up, now let us unite for change."

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