Gonzi: PL promises undermine financial stability

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told supporters in the PN's first campaign rally this evening that the PL was making irresponsible promises which would undermine financial stability. Speaking at PN headquarters, Dr Gonzi said the consequences of Labour's promises would be much more serious than in 1996, when it removed VAT and put government finances in turmoil. Malta would be rendered a beggar like neighbouring countries that had to take tough austerity measures in order to be able to borrow from the IMF. Those countries had seen civil servants dismissed, health services scaled back and children allowances removed. "I promise that I will never allow my country to be reduced to that state, to be humiliated in that way," Dr Gonzi said. Therefore, promising 'A Secure Future' was not just a (PN election) slogan, it was a commitment, Dr Gonzi said. The people should not take risks but stick to the government and its proven record, he said. Earlier, he said the government was proud of the results it had achieved in difficult times and was confident it could do even better in better times. That was why the PN was going for the election confident that it could and should win it. "I race to...