People guilty of corruption will have their assets confiscated, Leader of the Nationalist Party Lawrence Gonzi pledged during a mass meeting in Mosta, arguing that a vote for the PN is a vote in a solid future.

There’s no cutting corners when it comes to corruption for the PN, Dr Gonzi argued, whether it involves a Judge or a politician there will be no forgiveness. “I am ready to offer protection to those who are willing to reveal abuse in the Enemalta scandal, as long as they are not the people at the top”. He announced that a Nationalist Government will enact a law which will confiscate the assets of people found guilty of certain crimes including corruption and place those assets into a fund which will be used for the good of the public. The PN will see the Whistle Blowers Act implemented, he added, as well as increase measures to fight against corruption.

Earlier today Anglu Farrugia announced that his removal from the PL was political assassination. "We are still in time to stop this from happening to Malta," Dr Gonzi pronounced. He spoke of Anglu Farrugia’s revelation of certain contractors being tied in with the PL's financing. In response, the PN Leader posed several questions to Joseph Muscat, where he demanded that the PL reveal who these contractors are, whether they have anything to do with the PL’s MEPA proposals which will see the environmental aspect split and if the PL’s energy plan saw these people involved.

Don’t trust the people who have wronged Malta in the past, Dr Gonzi announced. “The Maltese youth’s are celebrating, not protesting like in Spain in Greece. Dr Muscat was wrong on MCAST, wrong on Europe, and wrong on taxes. He has been wrong on everything. Do not trust him!”. He expressed that the PN is ready to assure a leap in the quality of life for everyone and if re-elected, promised to bring more benefits for all the people in Malta and Gozo. He described the past legislature, which saw the country develop a healthy economy, a solid health care system and promised that if the PN is voted in, then a prosperous future will be guaranteed.

Better working conditions were next on the agenda this afternoon, where Dr Gonzi mentioned workers from all sectors including SME’s, factory workers as well as self-employed, describing a number of measures which would help ensure their successful future. He spoke directly to students, urging them to focus on their exams and to study hard, in order for future generations to be even more qualified. The PN Leader pledged to provide the best education system, the best teachers and better facilities to help students, who he described as the future of Malta, succeed.

The Children’s allowance was mentioned by the PN Leader. He explained that the PN had introduced this measure in order to help struggling parents, adding that the project will be expanded and more finances will be given. He spoke on child care vouchers, in order to urge more parents to enter the workforce, and described the child pension fund, where every new born will have a €1,000 pension account opened in their name.
The PN will encourage the inclusion of people with disabilities, promising that pensions for these people will be expanded. The PN Leader spoke of a number of services which will be of benefit to these people. “We must respect their dignity and we should help these people live fruitful lives,” he added.

Widows will be allowed to work without losing their widow’s pension, Dr Gonzi proclaimed, adding that if they re-marry they would not lose the pension either. He compared the situation with that of pensioners five years ago, who are now able to work without losing their pension. Minimum wage earners will not need to pay taxes, Dr Gonzi argued, adding that the PN will create more jobs for those who exit University, for those who do not enter University, for women and for pensioners. Through these jobs, he said, the economy will expand, expressing his trust in the people to help make this happen. “The PL aren’t capable of creating 20,000 jobs. I believe we can go even further and create 25,000!”  He asked the people not to play with the future of their children, explaining that if the wrong person is elected, then the country can lose everything.

Every vote counts
In his opening statements, PN Deputy Leader Simon Busuttil stated that the differences between the PN and the PL have already become apparent, with one Party revealing their Electoral Programme, whilst the PL have spent five years in opposition and have yet to present theirs. Every vote counts, he reiterated. “The PL refuses to publish their proposals all at once, because they are afraid that people would realise that their proposals are wrong”. He portrayed the differences of the past five years, describing the PN as a Party which focussed on taking care of the country, arguing that the Labour Party have spent the last five years looking in the mirror to present proposals that people want to hear, not caring whether they are achievable.

After March 9, one Party can guarantee work, education and peoples’ health, Dr Busuttil proclaimed. “We take for granted all the good that there is in this country”. He described Malta as a country that is stable, with a strong economy and social benefits. “One mistake could ruin all of this,” he said, describing other countries in the EU which are spiralling downwards into a deepening recession, mentioning Cyprus, Spain and Greece as prime examples. “Malta’s public debt is lower than most EU countries”.  Cyprus increased VAT and decreased wages, claiming that if Joseph Muscat was in Government, Malta would be in the same situation.

Simon Busuttil repeated two measures mentioned in the PN Electoral Programme, which would see income tax lowered and succession duty removed. He explained how the Party will increase pensions and ensure a free healthcare system. He reflected on past PN mistakes, emphasising that the PN will work night and day to make up for those mistakes and regain the people’s trust.

The presidency of the EU will be run by whoever wins this election, Simon Busuttil stated, calling on all patriots and Nationalists to vote for the party which guarantees a solid financial future.

The Labour Party held a simultaneous mass meeting in Zabbar, where the PN held their gathering just two weeks ago.  This is the 2nd mass meeting of the PN during the Party’s Electoral trail.

The General Election is set to be held on March 9 and sees the two Party Leaders, Lawrence Gonzi for the Nationalist Party and Joseph Muscat for the Labour Party, travel across the country vying for every Maltese and Gozitan vote.

Dr Gonzi was accompanied by his wife Kate, as well as a large number of PN candidates seated behind the podium on stage.