'Serious' budget should be expected - PM

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said today that people should expect a “serious” budget similar to the previous four in this legislature. “This will be a Budget that the country needs,” he said, adding that presenting a budget was the “first priority” of the government, as the end of the year approached. The Budget must respond to the aspirations of the Maltese people, he said, but decisions must be continued to be taken carefully. Speaking to supporters in Tarxien, Dr Gonzi quoted European Commission president Juan Manuel Barroso saying Malta was “an anchor of solidity” in the Mediterranean. “He said this because we were careful. And my appeal is: let us remain careful. Our country needs it,” Dr Gonzi said. “We do not have people protesting in the streets because their pensions and salaries are being cut or because they lost their jobs and factories closed... Sure, we have many people who are grumbling. But it’s better to have what we have than what is happening in other countries which are slipping into social crises,” Dr Gonzi added. Dr Gonzi used a sparring tone during the meeting, saying he had faith that the electorate would choose PN because it was a party with which “you...