MaltaToday online poll | 46% dub ‘unsuccessful’ government’s legislature

While the majority of respondents to a MaltaToday online poll believe that the Prime Minister's five years in government were unsuccessful, 30% (922) believe that it was successful, given the tough financial conditions the Nationalist government had to face.

1,399 out of 3,051 feel that real incomes and purchasing power decreased because of rising costs. On the other hand, 21% (631) responded that Gonzi's government was good economically but bad on governance and civil liberties.

At the same time a small group, 99 (3%), described the legislature as 'neutral - I'm not any worse off than I last was in 2008'.

The poll was conducted after the government's budget for 2013 fell through following a defeat in parliament on Monday.

During his speech on Monday evening, Gonzi's reply bore the marks of a final salute, as he thanked the country for "staying united and putting aside the division of yesteryear" after some two hours of listing the accomplishments of his five-year legislature.  

His 'five years' speech was a veritable list of accomplishments in the three main pillars that the prime minister has prided himself on: the economy, education, and healthcare.

He lauded his efforts in "creating" 20,000 new jobs during his legislature, negotiating Malta's funds from the EU's financial framework, increasing social benefits while keeping general healthcare free, and increasing the number of university graduates.

He revisited his previous budget measures, consolidating benefits for parents with children in childcare, private school rebates, and safeguarding full COLA increases for pensioners.