Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Robert Abela on Monday evening emphasised his party’s credibility to govern, particularly when compared to a Nationalist Party which has consistently made mistakes throughout its electoral campaign.
Speaking in an interview in Kalkara, Abela said that the Labour Government has a clear vision to continue strengthening the economy, creating quality jobs, and investing in families, young people, and pensioners.
More importantly though, Abela said that the PL has credibility on its side. That credibility is born out of its track record of guiding the country through enormous international crises such as wars, a global pandemic and, most recently, a global energy crisis.
He contrasted this with the PN, which he said has made one mistake after another throughout its electoral campaign.
Abela pointed out how the PN had said that its planned aid for first-time property buyers would cost €2.8 million per year but then revised it to €37 million per year, and to how PN leader Alex Borg had misquoted the economic projections of his own proposals during a debate at the University of Malta earlier in the day.
He also noted how the PN had been outed for its cultural hub proposal in Marsa including a render which was copied directly off the Helsinki Design Museum.
“How can you be credible when you make all these mistakes?”, Abela questioned.
Abela said that Malta has succeeded in attracting strategic investments in the semiconductor, fintech, and financial services sectors thanks to the country’s economic stability and the Labour government’s credibility. He added that these investments are creating quality career opportunities for young people, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Abela mentioned a series of social and economic measures, including investment in education and mental health, increased stipends, tax exemptions for young people entering the workforce, and more assistance for first-time buyers, self-employed individuals, and small businesses.
Regarding the self-employed, the Prime Minister said that a Labour Government would introduce refunds on social security contributions to leave more liquidity in small businesses and among self-employed workers.
Abela also spoke about new measures related to pensions and the transfer of social security contributions between spouses. He said that couples in which one spouse has paid more contributions than required would be able to transfer those contributions to the other spouse so that he or she could qualify for or improve their pension. He said this measure would address situations of injustice that have affected many families over the years.
The Prime Minister also said that the Government would continue strengthening work-life balance through greater investment in families. He mentioned measures aimed at giving more support to parents and allowing more quality family time, while insisting that the Government’s policy remains focused on strengthening the family and promoting social mobility.
Robert Abela said that the IVF reforms introduced by the Labour Government have resulted in the birth of more than one thousand babies through this service, and he stated that a Labour government would continue expanding these reforms to cover more genetic conditions. He said these changes are based on social justice and on the principle that Maltese couples should be given every opportunity to become parents without having to seek treatment abroad.
Abela argued that the electoral choice is between a team with experience and credibility in leading the country and others who, according to him, do not have a credible economic plan.
Also participating in this event were Francesca Zarb, a candidate for the 1st and 11th districts, Carlos Zarb, a candidate for the 12th district, and Deborah Schembri, a candidate for the 10th and 12th districts.
