News | Sunday, 17 May 2009

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PN launches MEPs’ electoral manifesto

David Darmanin
Presenting 50 objectives outlined in the PN manifesto for the upcoming June 6 European Parliament elections, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday criticised Labour MEPs whose “alienation in matters irrelevant to their position led to irreversible mistakes in voting on key issues.”
Gonzi called on voters to choose candidates who work in the national interest, rather than ones “who ‘tell on us’ to the EU”.
Gonzi hinted at Labour MEPs who spent their time “touring the world” instead of following their line of duty.
The PN manifesto, to be approved by the PN general council today, is based on the four pillars that will form the PN’s five-year agenda, namely employment, solidarity, the environment and values.
“Employment comes first and is at the centre of our work,” Gonzi said. “But the creation of quality employment can only be created with the setting of policies which stimulate the economy and act as an incentive for employers to invest in human resources.”
Gonzi said he was committed in directing the elected PN candidates in defending the interests of local SMEs in ousting bureaucracy and in tapping the necessary funding required for the local industry to weather the storm.
“PN MEPs will also be filling a gap where other parties missed out. Labour MEPs did not manage to convince their friends in the Socialist group to vote in favour of allowing workers to choose whether or not they want overtime.”
With regard to solidarity, Gonzi said PN MEPs will focus on three areas. Financial solidarity – in terms of letting Malta exploit its potential in making use of EU funds; solidarity related to the immigration issue where burden sharing will be pushed in parliament; and social solidarity “so that nobody is left behind”.
Gonzi said the third pillar, which deals with the environment, “has also been placed at the centre of our mission, and we are proud that EU membership has allowed us to go down this route.”
Gonzi reiterated that the PN is built on strong values, where “human dignity comes first and foremost. While we must recognise the social needs of certain individuals, our values have always come first.”

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