We will publish another five priorities next week – Muscat

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced yesterday that he will reveal another five new priorities for a PL government next week.

The Prime Minister addressed a lively crowd at a political event held in Rabat. The Prime Minister has already made a few proposals, including tax refunds for more than 190,000 workers, a pension rise and a €700 million project to resurface all of Malta’s roads. The €700 million project will be funded by EU funds and national funds including funds from the IIP programme.

He arrived hand in hand with his wife, Michelle, and was met with chanting from the crowd. On his way in, one woman grabbed both the Prime Minister and his wife, kissing them on the cheek. In the crowd, a few personalities could be seen including former GWU Secretary General Tony Zarb.

He said that the first five priorities have thus far been revealed, and stressed that next week another five will be announced. Dr Muscat also said that the electoral manifesto will have a lot more for people to talk about.

“One of the major discussions we had internally was ‘what will we start with?’ We want proposals which can be achieved and which make sense.”

Regarding the proposals, he said that people see this government as one which brought a surplus from deficit, and stressed that the proposals made are sustainable and can be achieved.

“Everyone earning up to €60,000, including self-employed persons, workers, everyone who works, will receive a tax refund.” By the end of the legislature, he said, the lowest check one could receive is €200 and the highest is €340.

“We are speaking about cheques for every person who works, not for every family.” He called this a feminist measure, as “if a wife goes out to work, then she should receive her own cheque.”

Dr Muscat said that tomorrow, the PL will publish the economic simulations of the proposals they have made so far, and how they will affect the economy and the country.

He turned to the 400 or so jobs that will be created through the €30 million investment by SR Technics. “During the election campaign, we brought in 400 more jobs. I called an election as we do not want the good we have brought in to be put in peril. On 3 June, the choice is clear, either we go forward or lose everything.”