The major parties may have agreed to postpone hard-hitting electioneering until January but soft campaigning by the leaders continued yesterday.

Giovanna Debono said that one day Malta will ask for independence from Gozo

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi met workers at an audit firm and Labour leader Joseph Muscat held talks with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

In brief references to young people, Dr Gonzi urged them to continue studying while Dr Muscat said they should be proud of taking up a career in tourism.

During a visit to Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Mrieħel, Dr Gonzi joked as he toured the recently expanded offices, shaking hands with some of the 460 employees.

Turning to one of the company partners after meeting a Gozitan employee, Dr Gonzi spoke about an exchange he once had with Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.

“I once suggested to Giovanna whether Gozo should one day be given independence, but she turned to me and said, ‘One day it will be Malta that will ask for independence’,” he said with a smile.

The Prime Minister also visited a childcare centre just across the road that was built in partnership with PWC, as at least 65 per cent of its employees are women.

“Our country needs initiatives like these,” Dr Gonzi said, adding that the percentage participation rate for women in the workforce had reached its highest ever.

At the other end of the political spectrum, Dr Muscat told hoteliers that industry would benefit from his party’s proposal to lower water and electricity tariffs.

This will boost profitability, he added. “Profitability is important for our hoteliers and also for the improvement in employment conditions.”

On Air Malta, Dr Muscat said it was necessary for the airline to be successful. He expressed concern that a major cruise liner company was stopping operations to Malta next year.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com