A statement from the Nationalist Party slammed Labour leader Joseph Muscat, saying he was the national expert on doom and gloom.

"Malta has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU, and 20,000 new jobs were created in the past four years – notwithstanding the very difficult international economic situation."

"Of course, much more needs to be done to make sure that Malta remains competitive, and that families continue to benefit from this success."

"But doom and gloom is not the solution – Muscat is not the solution. His is a change for the worse."

Dr Muscat this morning said that Labour would reduce tariffs and build a new middle-class based on education, and criticised the government for what he described as overspending on unnecessary projects and ignoring the needs of the people.