Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi believes that together, Malta can copy the success of this past legislature and reach new heights.

Dr Gonzi spoke about the work to help Malta gain entrance into the EU. He said that the country, in the hands of the PN, took the first pace to help Malta become a European country, and spoke about making the country stronger, more beautiful and successful. Malta entered into the heart of the European Union, he said. Five years ago, the country entrusted the PN and today the PN are closing this legislature and have gone in front of the people with hundreds of good results which have led to the success of the people. He mentioned the 20,000 jobs and the 11,000 elderly who have kept on working and an economy which is projected to continue growing and a deficit amongst the lowest in Europe. He proceeded to mention a large amount of measures which the PN had implemented making particular reference to education and students. He mentioned reducing 120 taxes and reducing the income tax for women entering the workplace and others. He spoke about the tourism records, mentioning the passenger records as well. Malta now has over 1bn euros more to create projects for the country.

Dr Gonzi mentioned that he is at a loss of words to describe his joy at how Malta has achieved such good results. He stated that these results were made for Malta’s youth and the elderly. Malta now has solid foundations but urged the people to be careful on making a change. “Five years ago you trusted us and we swam through the rampant waters, but together, we made it”.

The Prime Minister urged to people to take care, speaking about companies which have increased investment in Malta and have created other jobs. However he warned that this is not all good. He spoke about the 60 people who might lose their jobs in Malta due to a pharmaceutical company’s global restructure. He urged the people not to worry as the PN will create jobs calling his party as the party of jobs. He warned the population to take this as a warning sign. Those who call for a change in direction, the people should say “no thank you, our direction is good and we want to keep it!”. The country cannot move forward without a solid economy. In the next five years Malta must create 25,000 jobs to keep up with the graduates and those entering the workplace, he added.

He mentioned the youth, and that the country is in their hands. In five years, we would need more women to enter the workplace, as well as more pensioners working. In five years the pension age would rise, he said, adding that Malta would need a lot more jobs, enticing the people to vote for PN because they would keep working to keep up with all of this.

Malta is at the end of this electoral campaign, Dr Gonzi argued. “I see the enthusiasm for our country and the energy pouring out of you”. He described the ambition of the country to help Malta charge forward which can overcome every single obstacle. “I am Maltese and I am proud!” He spoke about the country’s want for social justice and love of family.  He described the importance of the environment and the need to keep it clean and open for the people. “This fills us with courage and we are ready to give our all to this country”. The crowd began to chant and clap as Gonzi took a paused briefly.

There are only a few days left till the campaign ends, and all it takes to change Malta’s direction is five seconds. In those five seconds, every single person will need to decide what is important for them. He addressed those at home and told them to imagine what would have happened had the PL won the last election and if the Prime Minister of Malta was Joseph Muscat. He mentioned the dockyards, which would have taken millions of euros each year. If the PL came to power, Malta would have ended like Cyprus, he urged, adding that Malta-Libyan relations would have been affected. The country’s results are thanks to the PN, he said, asking the population to think about their vote and to put everything on the table. This decision must be the best decision for themselves and the country. “The pain of the individual should not affect the needs of the country, put the country and your families first”. This choice must occur to choose the best way forward. The individual is important he said, but the country must come first. If re-elected, the PN will bring about a change in culture and the way the party has treated people.

Dr Gonzi does not need the problems of other EU countries in Malta, urging the people to keep this in consideration. There are those who will vote for the first time, he said, asking them to consider the countries around Malta and their current situation, mentioning people being killed in several Libyan cities just to have the privilege to vote. The few seconds to mark a peace of paper will put the country “in your hands, and this is an important decision which can affect your career and future. Join us for an adventure to help keep the country moving forward and bring more leaps in quality”.

The PN Leader described the ballot paper, reminding the people that red means unemployment and blue means work. After midnight, he said, the PN will no longer be able to speak, but people must reflect, adding that the PN’s work is not done. Every second up until voting day, the PN will keep working to earn the peoples’ vote. He urged the people to speak with others and tell them about how the PN has fought for this country and what the PN has done for families and work. He admitted to taking certain unpopular decisions, but said that the PN is ready to take a hit in popularity as long as the country prevails. Work comes before popularity, he said, adding that populism is worth nothing. The PN will work for the best possible outcomes, he said.

The Prime Minister asked parents to remember who they would trust their children’s future in, urging them to remember what the PN has done for them in the past. His last comments regarded MCAST, students and the University, areas where the PN have worked hard to improve over the past few years, he said, again urging parents to vote for their children’s future. He then addressed the elderly, telling them to think of the long road which they have taken hand in hand with the party. He wished all the success to the youth, telling them that “the future is in your hands”. He added that he is excited at the enthusiasm which he has seen tonight, but hopes that on Monday, Malta will see the PN in Government. “If we are to wake up to a country which continues to invest in education and work, then you must go out and persuade two people to vote for PN”. He had made the same statement last Sunday, and added that people have come up to him since then and said that they have found three or four and not just two. He spoke of meeting a girl whose entire family are Labour, however she had work and said “how can I not vote for you”. On March 10, Malta will celebrate.

Our dreams have become reality

The Prime Minister had invited the ex-President of Malta Eddie Fenech Adami onto the stage to address the people, who said that "Our dreams have become reality".

The crowd cheered and chanted ‘Eddie’ loudly

The ex-Prime Minister thanked Dr Gonzi for the invitation to speak, adding that he wanted to thank the people for coming here once more. He spoke about the first mass meeting he addressed in Birkirkara, mentioning that a few hundred people had shown up, but now there are thousands. He described the PN as the party of peace, capable of moving this country forward from one win to the next.

The past 50 years passed quickly as the party knew where the country had to go and knew that the country would succeed. “Today we are happy that our dreams have become reality”. He thanked the Prime Minister for the past five years which has seen economic turmoil around Europe, but managed to drive Malta forward. He thanked Dr Gonzi for taking over as Leader of the PN. “I can speak about my 50 years as head of the PN, but I want to speak about today. “The PN has a solid future ahead of it”. It’s easy for Eddie Fenech Adami to look back as the party has always held to its principles and was never ready to compromise just to win votes. “Believe in the Nationalist Party, Believe that the fundamental principles of the PN will never be compromised”. He mentioned George Borg Olivier and a number of prominent people from the party’s past who helped the country succeed. Being on the eve of the election, he mentioned that the election is upon the country and urged the people to vote and guarantee that every citizen exercise their right to help Malta strive forward.

We will persevere

PN Deputy Leader Simon Busuttil took to the stage and said that the PN is the party for the people, whilst the PL in Government would ruin the country.

The final PN mass meeting prior to the elections has just gotten underway.

Dr Busuttil addressed the people of Malta and Gozo calling them his Maltese and European brothers, and thanked all the youths who showed up. He also thanked the elderly who turned up, who thanked the ones who had voted yes to an independent Malta and those who had come to support Eddie Fenech Adami, “The Father of a Maltese Europe” and those who have come to support Lawrence Gonzi as “you have said that together everything is possible”.

The PN Deputy Leader mentioned that together, it is possible for keep Malta’s economy strong and its healthcare system free. The PN’s history makes Malta proud, he said, adding that he is excited to be a part of the party. His speech was interrupted by chants from the crowd. This party has always benefitted the country, he said, adding that on Saturday, people should be proud to vote for the PN as a vote for PN is a vote for Malta. The moment for choice has come, and people must decide whether they want to change direction, which would be a mistake as the current direction is the right direction, he addressed.

Over the past few years, Malta has walked a road which has not been easy, he said, adding that Malta has persevered and has become a strong nation, whilst other countries have failed and bankrupt themselves. Without the right leadership this would not have been possible, he stated, adding that people must vote for a country which offers strong healthcare, education and jobs. He hopes that Malta will keep the same captain to drive Malta through the economic storm. He began to say that a new Government would send Malta straight into a wall, however the crowd beat him to it.

Last time Labour were given power, Malta suffered he said. The PL wants to change direction again, and asked the population “will you let them change direction again?”

Tomorrow is the day of reflection but also strikes the 10^th anniversary of the EU referendum, when Malta voted yes, Dr Busuttil said. he asked the people to reflect on this, calling it a revolution which changed Malta’s infrastructure, improved the environment, healthcare and education. He mentioned the 2.5bn brought to use for Maltese projects.

Today, Joseph Muscat said that he is in favour of Europe and congratulates Eddie Fenech Adami for bringing the country into Europe. “We are pleased to hear this, but when was Dr Muscat when all this was happening?” Dr Busuttil said that he was stomping his feet at the decision, sarcastically stating that he has converted so much that he wants to send Alfred Sant to the EU Parliament. “Shame on you!” The choice is in the people’s hands, he said, adding that the PN is before the people presenting a successful country. The PN understands that it could have been closer to the people and this is why Dr Busuttil gave his personal pledge that the PN will be a Government for the people and closer to the people. Concluding, he appealed to everyone to keep the country moving forward through their vote on March 9, telling the crowd to vote for more jobs, more investment in healthcare and to vote in the future of Malta’s youth.

The pre-party saw the bass pumping and PN supporters had begun to show their enthusiasm, chanting 'Nazzjonalisti' as the deafening sound of fog horns echoed and the street vibrated through the intense bass. In front of the stage, PN banners waved as tall flags flanked on either side.