Ahead of the Maltese general elections on Saturday, 3 June, the European People's Party President, Joseph DAUL, made the following statement: "For the past four years, I have watched Malta go from a booming democracy to a country with a Socialist government engulfed in money-laundering and never-ending corruption scandals: a government that has shown neither enough respect for its citizens to dismiss its most corrupt politicians nor the commitment needed to allow democratic checks and balances to work as they should. Instead, the Socialists have taken credit for economic growth resulting from three decades of centre-right reforms and have opportunistically called for early elections in the midst of Malta’s EU Presidency, to take advantage of the limelight. I believe the Maltese people deserve much better than this. This government does not represent the hardworking and honest people of Malta. Improving Malta’s tarnished reputation will remain a challenge. But we know that every challenge comes with an opportunity. This is Malta's opportunity to start anew and elect a trustworthy leader who will restore Malta's reputation as a democratic, transparent and trusted partner both at home and abroad. I am convinced that Simon BUSUTTIL is up for this job. Simon represents everything that Malta is in dire need of today: integrity and honesty. Simon’s commitment to transparency and to his people has been indisputable. As the leader of Partit Nazzjonalista, he has always been known among fellow European leaders as a man on a mission to bring out the truth in Malta and to rid his country of corruption. Partit Nazzjonalista has brought Malta great achievements over the years. It has created thousands of jobs and reformed the economy; but most importantly, it was Partit Nazzjonalista which brought Malta into the EU. The party has always had the vision, commitment and courage needed to take the right steps for the benefit of the Maltese people. And I trust that Partit Nazzjonalista, under the leadership of Simon Busuttil, will continue to do the same."