Gonzi holds slight edge in leaders’ TV debate

None of the leaders delivered a knockout performance during Friday night’s debate on Xarabank, but Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi maintained an edge over Joseph Muscat, according to journalists and analysts who spoke to The Sunday Times. It was the first debate between the two leaders in months and the stakes were high for Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat as they debated for more than two hours. Alex Attard, editor of PN newspaper In-Nazzjon, said the Prime Minister went to the debate with a clear message and delivered it with punch. “The Prime Minister spoke with all the facts in hand about the positive results of this legislature. The Opposition leader kept repeating the things we have long been hearing. Apart from his usual speeches about electricity bills and bureaucracy, he said nothing new.” He said the Prime Minister’s highlight was when he quickly retorted that a Brazilian company had in fact invested in Malta, contrary to Dr Muscat’s presumptions. “That was a big letdown for Dr Muscat. He was certain it would knock down the Prime Minister, but instead if backfired.” Anthony David Gatt, a journalist from Labour’s One TV, said there was no clear winner as both leaders delivered good...