Tough decisions must still be made - PM

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday promised that his party would analyse the European Parliament election result in detail as from today after the Nationalist Party's share of first preference votes was down by some 10 per cent when compared to last year's general election.

He also promised to work hand in hand with the five elected MEPs, even if his party will only have two representatives in Parliament.

The Prime Minister, party officials and candidates appeared in sombre mood during a news conference as thousands of Labour supporters celebrated their majority win at the polls outside the party headquarters nearby.

Dr Gonzi said it was evident that thousands of his party's votes were lost to Alternattiva Demokratika's representative Arnold Cassola who had made massive inroads in the traditional PN strongholds.

"The electorate had every right to vote for Prof. Cassola but as things have turned out it will probably mean it will be Labour and not AD that will get an extra seat," he noted.

The Prime Minister said there were several reasons for his party's performance. Some could have switched to AD as a form of protest vote against some government policy. Other traditional Nationalists could have taken the risk because they knew there was no government at stake. One also has to analyse why some 40,000 individuals had not even bothered to vote, Dr Gonzi said.

He reiterated however that his government was prepared to take certain decisions in the national interest even if there was a political price to pay. Yet, the government needed to listen to what the electorate wanted on issues like the environment, the public sector and efficiency.

Dr Gonzi said the 82 per cent turnout clearly showed a strong vote in favour of Europe as the electorate conveyed its willingness to participate in the European institutions.

He noted that one had to keep in mind that it was the PN that fought tooth and nail for Malta to join the EU and, hence, be able to hold such elections in the first place.

Dr Gonzi augured that the five representatives would work in Malta's interests and he promised to work alongside them.

He expressed his disappointment at the MLP's electoral campaign, saying it echoed last year's in fomenting fear among the electorate. Instead of working towards the common good of the country, opposition leader Alfred Sant had embarked on a scare campaign on the pensions issue, he said

Asked whether the allegations of abuse levelled at Foreign Affairs Minister John Dalli could have cost the party votes, Dr Gonzi said he intended to deal with this issue "in the coming days".