It Tielet Rebha Konsekuttiva(PN)

by TonioGalea Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:04 pm

PN wins historic third consecutive election
- MLP refuses to concede victory
MARCH 9 2008 2235CET

It was a nail-biting finish to polling day, with both major parties claiming victory. But in the late hours of Sunday, results finally showed a narrow victory for Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

Lawrence Gonzi has won a historic third term in government for the Nationalist party with a razor-thin majority after a day of drama which earlier saw his Labour opponents claiming victory.

PN secretary general Joe Saliba made a triumphant appearance in front of the PN faithful at the Naxxar counting hall as unofficial results began to indicate the party had secured a new five-year term.

Walking in with deputy leader Tonio Borg and former IT minister Austin Gatt had to be protected wherever he went because of the crush of people.

When he entered the counting hall it seemed as if there were only Nationalists supporters there. The entire building seemed to erupt. The secretary general was only able to walk slowly surrounded while the banging on the perspex reached fever pitch. “Gonzi, Gonzi” rang out and the people inside the counting hall had to be called by Austin Gatt to stop several times. Some supporters refused to keep quiet.

“All indications show that the Nationalist Party has won the election, by 1,200 votes" Mr Saliba said.

Still labour deputy leader Michael Falzon refused to concede defeat. He told One TV that the party would await for the first count of all the Labour candidates before taking any position.

In the meantime, in a statement just released and signed by Jason Micallef, MLP is saying that their unofficial results differ from those announced by the PN and accused the PN of being irresponsible.

In Video: Joe Saliba declaring victory

In Video: Michael Falzon refusing to concede victory

www.di-ve.com