Elections on March 8 - PM says government targets achieved

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi ended speculation this morning by calling a general election for March 8. At a press conference held at the Auberge de Castille, Dr Gonzi said the government had achieved the 10 targets he set when he became Prime Minister nearly four years ago. He also apologised for the government's shortcomings and thanked the people for what had been achieved.

Dr Gonzi said this was a legislature characterised by major political, economic and social change.

He recalled that when he became Prime Minister he set 10 targets: strengthening, government, finances, job creation, attracting new foreign investment, raising competitiveness, improving coordination in government, investing strongly in education, giving a new boost to work on the roads and other capital projects, placing a ensuring there is a sustainable social services sector and making the best of the opportunities which EU membership presented.

"These were 10 themes which everyone is familiar with because we have succeeded in implementing this programme with success, even though there is more to be done".

Dr Gonzi pointed out that Malta now had record employment with 4,400 more people now gainfully occupied than four years ago, even though more young people than ever before were continuing to study. Foreign investment had reached record levels, with a notable highlight being the SmartCity project.

This government, he said, had reduced the tax burden in two successive budgets despite having worked in a difficult international scenario dominated by globalisation and record oil prices.

Turning to education, Dr Gonzi said this government had invested heavily in schools and in information technology so that no one would fall back and no one had "to repeat".

On the environment, Dr Gonzi said that one of the first decisions of his government was the closure of the Maghtab dump and the site was now being rehabilitated into a recreational area. The government was also setting up a national park at Xaghra l-Hamra. The 34U campaign had seen over 50,000 trees being planted.

In the health sector, Mater Dei Hospital symbolised the aims which the government wanted to achieve, and progress would continue with a new hospital for cancer patients and a new convalescence centre. In the primary care sector, the Pharmacy of your choice scheme had been achieved.

But here too, more remained to be done.

This, Dr Gonzi said, was "absolutely not a perfect government". He could admit that the government had not achieved all the people's individual needs. The balance between development and environment was not always struck. Nor was government efficiency as high as one would have hoped.

He would be the first to apologise for all this, Dr Gonzi said. And he wanted to thank the people for all the good which had been achieved.

Dr Gonzi said that all transfers and appointments which had not been completed would now be suspended, unless they were urgent. He augured this would be an electoral campaign where everybody showed respect.

Dr Gonzi also said that the possible outcome of the election was uncertain but he was confident that government policies would benefit the country more than those of the MLP.

Dr Gonzi said, in reply to questions, that should the PN win the election no member of the cabinet was guaranteed his place.

The President will later today officially issue the election writ and ask the Electoral Commission to hold the elections. The commission is expected to invite nomination of candidates on Thursday.