The Labour Party has presented its 72 candidates for the upcoming general election on Friday, with Prime Minister Robert Abela describing the lineup as its “largest team of candidates,” and a strong, representative group that would continue working towards a better Malta.
In a brief address on Friday morning, Abela said that the 72 candidates contesting on the Labour ticket come from different sectors of society and bring with them varied experiences and expertise across a wide range of fields.
He also said that almost 40% of its candidates are women, while the lineup includes a strong presence of both young candidates and experienced figures.
Abela described the team as a mixture of energy, fresh ideas and experience aimed at continuing to work towards “a better Malta.”
He said that the PL candidates are people coming from social sectors and different professional backgrounds, calling them competent, dynamic and effective men and women “of principle.”
The Prime Minister said the candidates are united by one goal: to work towards making life easier, more beautiful and better for Maltese and Gozitan people.
“This is the team which, together with society and other individuals, drafted the ‘Int Malta’ manifesto – your dream, our project,” Abela said.
He said the manifesto, which is due to be approved by Labour’s delegates at the general conference on Friday evening, contains 25 clear targets and ambitions aimed at improving people’s wellbeing and quality of life.
Abela said Labour was asking people to “hold us accountable,” adding that the targets tie in with the Malta Vision 2050 framework.
Among Labour’s main goals, Abela said the party wants Malta to reach 135% of the European average in economic performance and to place among the top ten European countries in Eurostat quality-of-life indices.
He said Labour aims for Malta’s gross national income per capita to rise into the top five countries in the eurozone over the next five years, while maintaining an average real economic growth rate of 4% annually throughout the legislature.
Abela said more than two-thirds of economic growth should come from high value-added sectors, while investment in families and businesses would continue to be prioritised.
He also said that the national debt burden would continue decreasing to around 40% of gross national income.
Abela said Labour aims to increase connectivity between Malta and Gozo by more than 25% by the end of the next legislature in an effort to reduce the effects of “double insularity.”
Abela said that under a PL government, Malta would maintain unemployment at 3% and keep it among the countries with the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.
He also said Labour wants Malta to remain among the leading countries in healthy life expectancy while reducing obesity rates across the country.
Abela said Labour wants fewer people depending on social assistance while pensioners would continue benefitting from increases amounting to at least double the cost-of-living adjustment.
Abela also highlighted equality targets, saying a new Labour government would continue working to reduce the gender pay gap and improve Malta’s ranking in LGBTQ rights.
Abela said that Labour would continue pushing to reduce the number of early school leavers while improving student results so that Maltese and Gozitan students surpass the European average.
He said Labour also wants more people to participate in the arts and culture sector and aims for the rate of workers receiving training to exceed the European average.
On environmental targets, Abela said Labour wants renewable energy generation to reach 25% of all energy generated in Malta by 2030 and aims for a 40% reduction in carbon emissions compared to 2005 levels.
He also said that every person should live within ten minutes of a green and open public space.
Abela described the manifesto as comprehensive and reiterated several previously announced proposals, including better student stipends, individual learning accounts, and a scheme through which young people would pay no tax during their first three years of employment.
He also repeated Labour’s proposal for government to contribute 25% of a first-time buyer’s property value under the “My First Home” scheme, saying this would help people save substantial amounts in loan interest payments.
Abela reiterated Labour’s birth bonus proposals, under which families would receive €3,000 during pregnancy before the amount rises to €5,000 following childbirth.
He also mentioned proposals extending maternity and paternity leave, as well as the introduction of six months of parental leave fully paid for by government.
Abela said first-time buyers, elderly people and self-employed workers were among those set to benefit from Labour’s proposals, which he described as achievable “with the people’s trust.”
“In the remaining two weeks we will continue speaking about proposals. Tell us how you want to improve our country,” Abela said.
He said Labour would continue approaching people “with humility and responsibility.”
“Int Malta, your dream, our project,” Abela concluded.
