Deceitful government is abusing of its power – Busuttil

PN Leader Simon Busuttil has this evening hit out at the government’s fuel price lock in, claiming that the government’s “stunt” of reducing the price of petrol by 2c highlighted the deceit of the government and the difference in the political vision of the Opposition and the Labour Party.

Earlier this week, the government struck a deal by which the price of petrol was brought down by 2c to €1.44 while the 12kg LPG cylinders will not cost €17.10, a reduction of €1.30. The prices of petrol and diesel will remain locked until the end of year, with the price of diesel locked at €1.36.

However, Simon Busuttil took exception at the news, dubbing Muscat’s hype on the “big news” as a simple change in fuel prices that “could have been announced in a simple press release by Enemalta.”

“The prime minister’s announcement further highlights the deceit of the government. Muscat is reducing what he increased in the first place: unleaded is down 2c, after it had increased back in April.”

“Under the Labour Party, Malta’s vision is restricted to reducing petrol prices. On the other hand, the PN has political vision just like it had when it championed Malta’s EU membership back in 2003,” Busuttil said while addressing a political event in Attard.

Rallying the party faithful, Busuttil - as well as the party’s MEP hopefuls - bemoaned the government’s performance, but once again failed to outline the party’s vision for the European elections. In between lamenting the government’s unemployment figures and criticising the Labour Party for awarding jobs to the inner circles, Busuttil did not divulge any speeches about European issues in a local context.

Instead, it was Jean Claude Juncker – the European Peoples Party (EPP) candidate for president of the European Commission – who used the political event to outline his vision for Europe and the proposed measures of his candidacy.

Juncker, whose arrival was met by PN supporters waving ‘Juncker for President’ placards, argued that Malta’s participation in the European plenary should not be overshadowed by large countries, but conversely, the former Luxembourg prime minister argued that Malta’s involvement should be enhanced and its issues addressed.

Endorsing his candidature, Simon Busuttil, underlined that the PN’s MEP third seat could be pivotal in Juncker succeeding in his bid to become the next European Commission president.

Taking a swipe at the Labour Party’s campaigning against Malta’s EU membership in 2003, Busuttil accused the PL of creating “obstacles” to Malta’s EU bid.

On the government’s newly-launched employment policy, which amongst its measures includes greater subsidies on maternity leave as well as top-ups on the monthly salary of minimum wage earners, Busuttil argued that notwithstanding the new policy the government failed to create new economic niches.

“This employment policy further proves that the government does not have a political vision for the upcoming years. In contrast, when in government, the Nationalist Party always sought to create new economic niches, most notably the financial services sector, which 20 years after being created is one of the economy’s pillars.”

Reiterating the “underdog” status of the PN in the upcoming MEP elections, Busuttil called on the country to use the elections as a platform to see the PN back on its feet.

“These elections must be used to see the PN get back on its feet – the country deserves a strong opposition. These elections must be used to send the message that it is possible for the PN to win the general election in four years time,” he rallied.

“The government is abusing of its power. The 36,000-vote deficit and its nine-seat majority should not go to its head but conversely, it should be reminded that the electorate will not be taken for a ride,” Busuttil continued.