Malta holding national electionMarch 9, 2013 - 09:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Maltese head to the polls Saturday, March 9 to decide whether to grant the center-right Nationalist Party a fourth straight term or give the opposition a shot at government after 15 years, The Associated Press reports. The ruling Nationalist Party has campaigned on its strong employment record, with Malta boasting Europe’s lowest unemployment rate of 4.3 percent. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, 59, also has promised more education and health spending and lower income taxes. The opposition Labor Party, led by Joseph Muscat, 39, has pledged to reduce water and electricity rates, a major bone of contention in the past legislature, along with greater civil liberties, less bureaucracy and action to fight corruption. Some 330,000 Maltese are eligible to vote between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Results are expected Sunday afternoon. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |