The Prime Minister this evening reiterated that next Saturday's European Parliament election was a contest between the leaders of the two major political parties.

Address a political activity in Zurrieq, Joseph Muscat said that he was relishing the challenge to be judged by the electorate, a year after being voted in government.

Dr Muscat said that the election was all about confirming the direction which the country started in March last year when the people overwhelmingly voted for change.

He said that the Labour government was setting the benchmarks saying that after many years for Malta had a government which was delivering on its promises.

In his speech Dr Muscat referred to a number of social measures which were in the pipeline.

He said that a plan to address precarious employment would be unveiled soon. He also spoke about his commitment to eradicate poverty, remarking that this was for real and not just a perception.

The Prime Minister spoke that the government was also in the process "to have justice for the former dockyard employees" who had been transferred to a state company, pointing out that they had not received a pay rise for the last 10 years. Another measure would also be to support those who had not paid enough social security contributions to have a decent retirement pension.

Dr Muscat accused the Opposition of being detached from the people, much more than last year when it was still in government.

The Prime Minister accusing Dr Busuttil of staying on the fence on issues like civil unions and spring hunting. He said that he was open for the challenge to be judged by the people in next Saturday's election.