Gonzi, Muscat pledge politics of ideas

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and newly-elected Labour leader Joseph Muscat agreed they would exercise politics based on the healthy confrontation of ideas and try to work together on issues of national interest.

In the spirit of unity, Dr Gonzi combined the two parties' electoral slogans saying: "Flimkien kollox possibbli (nibdew) bidu ġdid" (together everything is possible (we shall start) a new beginning) much to the amusement of those present who included PN secretary general Joe Saliba, his Labour counterpart Jason Micallef and MLP president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.

Sitting on a black leather sofa in Mr Saliba's office at the PN headquarters, in Pietà, and in the presence of the media, Dr Gonzi thanked the MLP representatives for accepting the invitation to visit the headquarters and greeted Dr Muscat as the new leader.

In a light-hearted atmosphere, they joked about the proximity of the two party headquarters, situated on parallel roads. They joked that the two general secretaries could peep into each other's offices and, perhaps, that was how information leaked, they laughed.

Dr Gonzi said he appreciated the great responsibility that Dr Muscat was taking on as the post was of service to the public. This was an interesting time for the country and, Dr Gonzi said, he was sure that, if both parties proceeded responsibly, they would work together to face challenges ahead and turn them into opportunities.

"I look to the future with optimism so that, while we maintain the necessary political debate between us, we work together on issues in the national interest," Dr Gonzi said.

Agreeing with this, Dr Muscat said he hoped to see the two parties work together like "two parts of the same team: Team Malta". While he was sure that there would be times when the two would disagree, "when there are issues of national interest we will try to find common fronts so that the country can face hurdles successfully", he said.

He went on to point out that his style of politics was not based on personal attacks but on exchange of ideas and on discussion. One of the first things he planned to do as MLP leader was to draw up a code of ethics for the party media that would also address the attitude of journalists so as to ensure that the media focused on issues.

The media representatives were then asked to leave the room and, 20 minutes later, the party officials emerged and gave further comments.

Dr Gonzi explained that politics was not discussed and "this is a pleasure we will have in the coming weeks".

"This is a start that promises well for the country as both of us, as leaders of two main parties, enjoy finding the space where we can work together," he said.

Both Dr Muscat and Dr Gonzi expressed their best wishes to President Eddie Fenech Adami who is recovering from a heart operation. Dr Gonzi also paid tribute to former Labour leader Alfred Sant who yesterday in Parliament handed over his role as Opposition Leader to MLP deputy leader Charles Mangion.

MLP whip Joe Mizzi said the parliamentary group unanimously thanked Dr Sant for the 16 years he served as leader, which years were characterised by honesty, integrity and work in the best interest of the party.

They also welcomed Dr Muscat as their new leader and said they looked forward to a new political season.