MaltaMedia.com

Poll by local newspaper The Sunday Times gives the Labour Party (PL) a 10 point lead over the Nationalist Party (PN) in Saturday’s European Parliament election. However, as much as 15% of respondents said they were still undecided on how they were going to vote. The poll thus shows that PL would gain 44.7% while the PN 35%.

Simon Busuttil for the PN is expected to first be elected followed by David Casa. Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas and Vince Farrugia battle it out for third place.

PL candidates have a much tighter contest with John Attard Montalto and Edward Scicluna leading the way, followed by Marlene Mizzi and Louis Grech.

In turn, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi threatens Cabinet reshuffle in case of massive defeat as polls are indicating, MaltaToday reported.

Last Monday’s Cabinet meeting was dominated by a presentation of the ‘negative’ showings in the polls for the Nationalist Party, during which the Prime Minister underlined the great difficulty in bringing out the Nationalist vote. Cabinet ministers were secretly not surprised at the outcome, MaltaToday says, although many were reportedly angry that Gonzi will be blaming them for the expected negative electoral result on June 6.

Gonzi urged ministers to get involved in the campaign and take part in door-to-door visits to get the vote out. The privately commissioned survey has revealed the defiance of thousands who will stay in on Election Day. But with a one-seat majority in parliament, and so many former Cabinet ministers close to complete disenchantment and detachment from the party, Gonzi’s options for a reshuffle appear close to impossible.

According to the survey presented to the Cabinet, carried out by a private company for the PN, Labour is tipped for a landslide victory. MaltaToday’s surveys have so far provided amongst the most accurate of predictions. Its latest results among voters who have already taken a decision who to vote for, put Labour ahead with 52.5% of the vote, the PN at 39.7%, 5.4% for Alternattiva Demokratika, and Azzjoni Nazzjonali at 2.4%.

Sources: The Sunday Times; MaltaToday