Muscat ‘too comfortable living in tiny little world of make-believe’ – PN

In reaction to Joseph Muscat’s criticism of government in view of the utility bills, the increase in gas prices and cost of living, the PN said that Muscat,“the man, who wants to be Prime Minister, is totally oblivious to what is happening around us, not least beyond our shores.”

The statement from the PN’s communication office started off by comparing Malta to other EU member states as, “European governments are riding roughshod over their citizens with increasing taxes and slashed social benefits to avoid financial and economic collapse.”

The PN said that according to Eurostat, Malta has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU, whilst recent figures by the NSO confirm rising employment and foreign direct investment in Malta.

The party added that “much more needs to be done, as fiscal consolidation remains a top priority as is the creation of new jobs.”

“However, we should be proud of our achievements. It is thanks to no lucky star that Malta is not in the same disastrous situation of countries like Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Portugal – sound economic policies by the Gonzi administration, coupled with a dynamic and resilient workforce, is the cause of our success,” the PN said.

The party goes on to slam Muscat, commenting that “no doubt, our economic success is no thanks to Joseph Muscat’s failed economic advises. The Labour Leader, is certainly not the brightest crayon in the box when it comes to economic advise.”

The PN recalled how he had “warned Malta that EU and Euro zone membership would spell economic disaster – and time proved him wrong. In his 2011 Budget speech he suggested that Malta should adopt Cyprus as its economic model – now we hear that Cyprus is taking some very harsh austerity measure to avoid the financial meltdown experienced by Greece, Spain and the Irish economy.”

The PN said that if it is “too much for him [Muscat] to recognize that the Gonzi government managed to weather well the international economic and financial storm, is to, at least, acknowledge the resilience of the Maltese workforce.”

The PN missive against Muscat is described as “either too proud or too arrogant to concede that Malta did well and that our economic situation is anything but messy and disastrous as he depicts it to be in his doom and gloom Sunday morning sermons.”

The PN said that whilst Muscat spoke about energy prices, he did not “bother to acknowledge that oil and gas prices have ballooned worldwide and Malta, which imports all of its gas and oil, very obviously (except to Muscat) feels the pinch.

“And then, in his typical uncommitted manner, he refuses to explain how he will go about reducing utility costs for families if he is in government. He speaks about the administration of public funds (a very important matter, of course), but yet again, fails to explain how he, as Prime Minister, will go about it.”

The political party commented that expecting Muscat to explain how he will create jobs and attract investment, “would be asking too much from the man who, very clearly, is driven by one ambition of his: Power - period.”

The PN warned that Muscat “will never acknowledge that Malta has managed to avoid the mess of the toughest financial meltdown the world has witnessed since the last Great Depression. He is too comfortable living in his tiny little world – the world of make-believe.”