Gonzi dismisses reports that he will step down

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this evening sought to dismiss reports that he would resign his post of prime minister if the PN won the forthcoming election. Reacting to the reports, made in the Labour media, Dr Gonzi said at a PN discussion on the Granaries that he would continue to serve for as long as he enjoyed the confidence of the people and the councillors of the Nationalist Party - and he pointed out that the 97% of the councillors had renewed their confidence in him last February. To enjoy the confidence of the councillors was a privilege Dr Gonzi said, and it was a greater privilege to be given the people's mandate to lead the country, something which could not be ignored. Later during the discussion, held as part of the Independence celebration, Dr Gonzi also accused the Labour media of 'inventing stories'. He said the PN always had confidence in the people and the country and the PN would continue to be the agent of change. He said the PN and himself would go for the general election proud of their track record, shown in Malta's performance despite economic problems abroad and problems within. When asked about the PN's troubles and the no-confidence votes in parliament,...