Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/828624
maltatoday, FRIDAY, 26 MAY 2017 6 News Proud' Farrugia says coalition will put country first CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Busuttil called on Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to stop running away from the media and to face questioning so that the public will be able to de- termine which party is presenting the best option ahead of the elec- tion. He said the electorate should be able to choose who had the best credentials to succeed in restoring Malta's reputation. Busuttil said that it was unfortu- nate that Muscat was running away even from press conferences organ- ised by the Broadcasting Authority. "I have the credibility at European and international level to be taken seriously if I appear before them and say the Maltese people have voted to change the country's course and start rebuilding the country's repu- tation again," he said. Busuttil reiterated his criticisim to claims made yesterday by Mus- cat who said that foreign allies' se- curity services had warned Malta that a Russian whistleblower who claimed to have seen proof that secret Panama company Egrant belonged to Muscat or his wife, was in fact planted by the Russian security service. This was allegedly done to seek revenge against Muscat for not al- lowing a Russian aircraft carrier to refuel in Malta on the way to Syria and for, under the presidency of the EU, expediting the process to waive visas for travel between Ukraine and the EU. "I don't think Vladimir Putin would waste a lot of time scheming on how to affect the Maltese elec- tion," Busuttil said. "I think Muscat should be more humble and cau- tious when making such claims." Busuttil said that since becoming leader of the Nationalist Party, his main aim was to bring the party close to the people once again. "I am proud that people once again recognise the PN as the party of the people," he said. "We also took upon ourselves the mission to clean poli- tics, once and for all." Busuttil said it took some humility to acknowledge that the PN could not bring this change about alone and that was how the Forza Nazz- jonali was born. "This Forza Nazzjonali, which sees us join forces with the Democratic Party, is not an election fad but I promise that, if the country elects is to government, we will lead as Forza Nazzjonali." On the electoral manifesto launched on Wednesday even- ing, Busuttil said it included 521 proposals spread across the three programmes for Malta, Gozo and youths. He listed what he considers the top ten proposals: 1. Clearing the country's name and reputation 2. Creating 30,000 new meaningful jobs 3. Lowering income tax to 10% on the first €50,000 profit for self- employed and small businesses 4. Lowering income tax to 10% for workers who earn up to €20,000 5. Keep Zonqor clear of develop- ment and transform White Rocks into a family park 6. Alternative transport system in an above- and below-ground metro system 7. Immediately lower the price of petrol and diesel by 5c/litre and keep price below EU average 8. Free childcare for all 9. Free medicine for pensioners and disabled persons 10. Raise in pensions to improve standard of living of all pension- ers 'Proud to stand next to Busuttil' Democratic Party leader Marlene Farrugia said that despite the hard and honest work of herself, her partner Godfrey and others in the Labour Party, the Labour adminis- tration had betrayed its ideals and values. "We have now found the Forza Nazzjonali as the perfect medium to carry our message for an account- able government that truly puts the interest of the country first," she said. Farrugia said that she was proud to stand next to Busuttil as the coa- lition presented the structure the country needed at this time. PN leader Simon Busuttil holding a copy of the party's electoral programme