Newly sworn in Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday announced he will be carrying out reforms to the electoral system as he addressed thousands of PN supporters who filled the Floriana Granaries shortly after he took office in Castille.
Flanked by all PN candidates including Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando – who was coolly received backstage before the prime minister’s arrival – Gonzi promised to reopen discussions on electoral reforms “in the coming months”.
“We need to learn the lesson from the present electoral system, because we could have ended again that the party with the largest amount of votes could still not get enough seats to govern,” Gonzi said in a clear reference to the clear possibility of his party failing to get the majority of seats if the third party was elected to Parliament.
“It is clear that we need to discuss more so that we strengthen the electoral system.”
Using the word “thank you” repeatedly throughout his speech, and going out of his way to thank even those who differed in their opinions, Gonzi spelt out his intention of leading a government for all the Maltese.
“I come here just a few hours after the President swore me in as Prime Minister of all the Maltese and Gozitan people,” Gonzi said. “I want to thank you from my heart for trusting us yet again with the future of our country. I assure you all that in his moment of joy, there is also the burden of a great responsibility which we have to carry on our shoulders.
“I want to thank all those who voted, those who didn’t, those who came from abroad to vote, but I want to thank especially all the young people of Malta and Gozo,” he said.
He later extended his word of thanks to the Opposition.
“I also want to say thank you to all those were our competitors, to all parties, who participated in this process as mature people. I want to thank all party leaders, because they served the country in the best way they thought, even if we disagreed.
“I also want to thank those who did not vote for us, who voted for other parties. It’s a great privilege for me to be a prime minister for all of you. We are a great people, even when we disagree between us.
“In the coming months I look forward to the cooperation of the party in Opposition, so that together we make a leap of quality in the politics of our country. Let’s do away with the personal attacks, with the unnecessary adjectives. I open my hands to the Opposition party; let’s take political discussion a step forward. The people of Malta and Gozo deserve this.”
Gonzi renewed his pledges to keep public health free for all, to reach the budget surplus target, to widen income tax bands and to embark on MEPA reforms.
He also promised to enact new rent laws “as soon as possible” as well as new laws to increase transparency.
“We want to raise transparency, we want to be serious and correct in anything we do,” he said. “We will work to implement our programme till the last point. We’re closing off this chapter, this important interval. We will have concluded our celebrations, let’s conclude this beautiful moment of celebration with dignity.”
Gonzi said the election result gave “a lot of messages” that he was duty bound “to listen to”.
He said today he will be announcing a new government line-up “with new blood, with new faces”.
Referring to young people, Gonzi thanked them especially for giving the energy to his party and asked them to remain close to him.
“I want you to be present all the time,” he said. “I want to hear your voice, your opinion, and I want to see you succeed in your careers and in your personal life.”