Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday urged people to vote in June's European Parliament elections as he officially presented the 10 Nationalist candidates for the EP election.

The call comes on the back of a preliminary EU survey which stated that only 56 per cent of the Maltese intend to cast their vote - which would be a record low.

The PN candidates are Simon Busuttil, David Casa, Rudolph Cini, Alan Deidun, Edward Demicoli, Vince Farrugia, Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas, Alex Perici Calascione, Marthese Portelli, and Frank Portelli.

People knew what benefits the country reaped during the past five years of EU membership. New jobs were created while the country benefited from EU funds, Dr Gonzi said.

In the past five years, there was more foreign investment which was translated into jobs and Malta managed to obtain €1,159 million in EU funds, he said. Simon Busuttil, in his position as head of the Maltese delegation in the European People's Party, also called on the people to vote during the EP elections.

"Don't leave the choice in other people's hands, you need to be certain of who is representing you - you have to vote," he said.