‘PN is detached from reality’ – Joseph Muscat

Fresh from announcing a fuel price lock-in, Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat has accused the Nationalist Party and Simon Busuttil of being detached from reality, claiming that the PN’s criticism of the government’s announcement proved that the Opposition does not understand the plight of those who are struggling to make ends meet.

On Wednesday, the government announced that it had struck a deal to reduce the price of petrol by 2c to €1.44 and the price of the 12kg LPG cylinders to €17.10, down by €1.30. In addition, it also announced that the price of petrol and diesel would remain locked until the end of the year.

However, the Nationalist Party and its leader Simon Busuttil met the government’s self-declared “big news” with particular disdain. The PN argued that the revision in the fuel prices was nothing short of a “stunt” and that it highlighted the “deceit” of the government because it had increased by 2c in the first place.

Addressing the Labour faithful in Xaghra, Gozo, Joseph Muscat argued that the PN’s criticism is a stark reminder to the country that the Opposition is “detached from reality.”

“This week the Opposition laughed at the government for reducing the fuel prices, but this is far from justified, because it is only serving to show the Opposition’s true colours. The PN is detached from reality because it is not understanding those who struggle to stay afloat every month.”

“Perhaps the PN should ask the minimum wage earners, the students, the self-employed or the pensioners who will gain a huge advantage thanks to the government’s measure,” he added.

However, both parties think that the reduction in fuel prices is a watershed moment in distinguishing between the parties. While the PN claimed that it highlights the difference in the party’s political vision, Joseph Muscat argued that the government’s latest measure only proved that it is able to understand the people’s plight and to address their issues.

Similar to the PN’s political event, this evening’s political rally at Xaghra focused on the government’s first year, and not on European issues, a feature echoed during the Nationalist Party’s campaign. Moreover, Muscat affirmed that the upcoming MEP elections are an opportunity for the country to convey their "trust" and "confidence" in the government, while on his part, Simon Busuttil has called on the PN faithful to show the government a "yellow card."

Muscat, who in the March 2013 general election managed to win the election by a record 36,000-vote deficit, called on the Gozitan faithful to bring in their vote, as this would confirm their confidence in the Labour Party.

In a clear attempt to angle voters, Muscat urged the Labour faithful to vote for the Labour candidates and to convince “at least another person” to do the same.

The latest MaltaToday survey has revealed that Labour’s lead over the Nationalist Party has been cut by four points, down from 7. This suggests the PN has cut Labour’s 12-point lead in the last general election, but rather than a shift from PL to PN, the result reflect a higher rate of indecision and abstention among Labour voters in the last general election – a fact which Joseph Muscat is seeking to address.

“This election is the perfect platform to confirm that the government is doing well and that the country is happy. The government might not be perfect but you know full well that it has a great positive energy,” he said, echoing Labour’s electoral slogan in 2014.

While acknowledging that some voters may be planning to abstain, Muscat called on the electorate to make its “calculations”.

“Even those people who expected the government to change things around in one year, know that the Labour government is doing everything for the best of the country.”

“It is therefore fundamental for the voters to show that the Labour government is best for the country and that the country merits the Labour Party,” he argued.

Echoing Gozo minister Anton Refalo, who also addressed the Xaghra crowd, Muscat “guaranteed” the Gozitan faithful that “Gozo will see one of its biggest projects.”

Among the measures proposed in Gozo, Muscat had previously announced that the government would be issuing calls for the development of a cruise liner terminal, a yacht marina, and a call for a casino licence.

However, while reassuring the crowd that the development of the cruise liner terminal and the yacht marina would inject a much needed cash flow in the Gozitan economy, Gozo minister Anton Refalo did divulge any information about the casino licence – which a year after being announced it is still not known whether it would come to fruition.

In June 2013, then-Parliamentary Secretary Edward Zammit Lewis, announced that four companies had collected documents following the government’s call for expressions of interest in the running of a casino in Gozo.

But in Janury 2014, further doubt was shed on the project, as state TV had reported that only company had submitted a bid, and that this was not “up to the expectations."