Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday said that this electoral campaign has brought out the main differences between the major political parties - after five weeks of campaigning the electorate's choice had become easier and more clear-cut.
"Next Saturday you have to choose between another five years of vision and tranquillity and five years of uncertainty. The choice to be made by the electorate will be fully respected.
"However, I have done all I could to inform everyone of the pros and cons and next Saturday I will rest my case. The choice is now yours," an upbeat Prime Minister told a televised press conference yesterday at the National Park in Ta' Qali. Touching on the various proposals by the Nationalist Party in its electoral manifesto, Dr Gonzi said the PN is once again showing the way forward for Malta. He said that after putting the country's finances on a sound footing, a second mandate will enable him to take Malta to new heights. "We are planning to make Malta a centre of excellence by 2015 in six distinctive sectors. We plan to invest millions, including the €855 million in EU funds we negotiated, to place Malta among the best in IT, education, tourism, financial and health services and in the high-tech industry. This is the way forward and we are determined to deliver as we did in the past five years," he said.
Dr Gonzi said that in contrast, despite spending 10 years in opposition, Labour has shown that it is still not prepared to govern.
"Instead of telling us what they will be doing if elected they spent their time throwing mud. Is this the new beginning?" he asked referring to the MLP electoral slogan.
Referring to the international economic situation, which he said is sending worrying signals due to the record-high price of oil and the situation in the US, Dr Gonzi said the country needs stability to be able to respond properly to the effects this situation may bring. Over the past five years, with sacrifices made by everyone, the government had already managed to shield Malta adequately both in the case of oil and cereals.
"We will not be able to do this any longer if we don't keep reducing the deficit and strengthening our finances," he said. "Dr Sant has already said that reducing the deficit and having a surplus by 2010 will no longer be a priority." Asked by The Times to declare his government's biggest challenge if given another term, Dr Gonzi immediately said it was the environment.
"The time has come to make a leap forward on the environmental front and to find the right balance between sustainable development and the environment. We have already prepared the necessary groundwork, such as the start of the rehabilitation of Magħtab, the new recycling facility and sewage treatment plants. But now we have to ensure that the next five years will be our best term for the environment," he said.
Dr Gonzi said that a PN government will be investing over €350 million in this sector including a thorough reform at Mepa, a huge investment in clean energy and an upgrade of Malta's infrastructure including the restoration of Malta's fortifications and bastions.