Mangion to stay on as Opposition leader
Charles Mangion is to stay on as leader of the opposition until new Labour leader Joseph Muscat takes his seat in Parliament.
Dr Muscat himself announced the decision this morning, saying it had been proposed by Anglu Farrugia, the new MLP leader for Parliamentary Affairs.
The new Labour leader is expected to be co-opted to Parliament after the summer recess. Another MP will first have to give up his seat and Dr Muscat himself has to resign from the European Parliament.
Charles Mangion was sworn in as leader of the opposition on June 5. (picture)
Dr Muscat said when speaking at the Rabat Labour Party Club that the MLP had made important strides forward over the past week at the start of a new political season.
He praised Dr Farrugia for his idea, saying Dr Farrugia had a right to expect to serve at leader of the opposition. This was a gesture to thank Dr Mangion, Dr Muscat said, adding that the MLP was open to everyone.
Dr Muscat said that new hope was born in the MLP over the past week . The party, he said, would hear everyone and work with everyone. He did not want the MLP to win the general election because people were fed up of the PN, but because it would be seen as the best party to lead the country forward.
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David Gatt
Jun 17th 2008, 01:55
When I see PN fanatics trying to doubt everything Labour does I really feel lucky not to be a Nationalist. I truly wonder how much Gonzi manages to brainwash these people.
victor caruana
Jun 16th 2008, 08:37
Good move by Dr. Farrugia to show his balanced approach to winding up a turbulent period for the Labour. What Labour needs from now on is to determine its own agenda as much as in political and social issues as well as in how to handle the supposed democratic institutions on the island. The times for philosophizing, dialectic and argumentation is over. Positions have to be clear and defined in short statements. And avoid long winded political news items on super one tv which end up being incomprehensible.
Joe Galea
Jun 16th 2008, 08:09
@Ivan Camilleri
1) If you don't understand MLP politics that is because you just see one side of the coin i.e. the PN side.
2) I think you don't understand in politics and that you don't follow what's going on. Since the parliament will stop for summer recess very soon, then it wouldn't be wise to change the position now. Also, for your info JM already stated that to resign from MEP he has to fulfil a task he is entrusted to do, then procedures will start for him to resign for the EP. When the Maltese Parliament starts after summer, JM will be appointed as the Opposition Leader in parliament after considerng also who is going to vacant his/her seat for him.
So before spitting out nonsense be informed about all the procedures that these changes bring about.
If JM wanted a good pension or salary he would have stayed as MEP and not apply for MLP leadership.
Pauline Barbara
Jun 15th 2008, 21:10
@ A. Farrugia - Oh yes it makes so much sense to have the previous leader Alfred Sant running things from within Parliament, when Joseph Muscat is trying to make his mark as the new leader. We all know how EFA ceased to exist once Gonzi took the helm - and it stands to reason because no new leader wants to be in the previous leaders' shadow, whether that leader was good or not because a new leader can't have his position overshadowed by what happened before.
But no surprise why PN would have wanted this - they're already trying to link Muscat to Sant, so they would have really gone to town if as you suggested Sant had stayed on as leader until Muscat finds his place in parliament.
Ivan Camilleri
Jun 15th 2008, 20:16
To Mr. Ivan Scicluna,
Do you really believe its just a case of good comradeship & fraternity??!! I guess you understand too little of politics especially labour's politics (no one generally does anyway!!). I think its just a move to lengthen mr.muscat's tenure in the european parliament thus increasing the chance of retaining his pension...... by buying time till he finally submits his resignation when his term expires...... !!!!!!
SAME PARTY.....DIFFERENT DAYS........
Silvan Cutajar
Jun 15th 2008, 17:10
As much as I criticised Anglu for his baggage I must praise him for this proposal. Logical for both the institution and the party.
A Farrugia
Jun 15th 2008, 16:01
off course Dr Muscat opts to have the status quo. He would have made himself and the whole opposition Labour party the laughing stock of the whole world, thanks to Alfred Sant. Three Opposition Leaders in four months. Putting Malta the joker of the year. It would have been much better and more elegant if Dr Sant remained opposition leader until the new leader was coopted in Parliament and given the title Opposition Leader. Instead of having four Oppostion leaders. The joke of the town.
Ivan Scicluna
Jun 15th 2008, 15:48
A true sense of comradeship and fraternity is reigning once again within the Labour Party after the election of the new leadership. A noble gesture from Angelo Farrugia to propose that Charles Mangion remains Opposition Leader till Joseph Muscat takes over later on in a few months time. Sitting next to Charles Mangion with his vast Parliamentary experience, Angelo Farrugia will gain formidable experience in his new role as Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs. All that has been happening within the Labour Party in the last week augurs very well for the near future. A really new political season has really started.