Two Labour MPs vote against Abela

R. Gatt

Feb 3rd 2009, 12:46

Tal-PL dejjem jargumentaw. Dawn l-anqas jaqblu bejniethom, ahseb u ara kemm ser jaqblu ma tan-naha l-ohra.

Joseph Borg

Jan 15th 2009, 23:24

whats the point of this news exactly? cant everyone vote as he feels free to do? is this a democratic country?

Anthony Mizzi

Jan 15th 2009, 22:47

Att to karl abela and P Aquilina and also J Martinelli,you guys realy have short memory,or too much one sided,remember it was the same Gonzi who proposed Eddie for president remember was there any MP from NP who outspoken and said he do not agree as Eddie be the president,think and be honest.

anthony muscat

Jan 15th 2009, 21:59

All the members of the parliament of both parties agreed only on one thing ,about the hefty increase in their salaries, approximately €15000 a year when we only got €200 a year.

Albert gauci Cunningham

Jan 15th 2009, 21:57

Iva SUr Demartino?? imma meta kellu bzonn il-voti tieghi u ta familti ta kasi Dottor Gonzi!!!
Meta konna ncapcpu fil-Meetings u nghajtu "viva Gonzi" kien jaghti kasna
Meta konna nkantaw "flimkien kollox possibli" kien jaghti kasna GonziPN
Meta nies fil-familja tieghi ma kienux ha jivvotaw Gonzi cempel u cempel u baqa jcempel biex jaghtuh il-vot!!!!!!!!!!!

..............imma issa ghaddiet l-elezzjoni u Dottor Gonzi lin-Nazzjonalisti jahseb li jista jittrathom ta boloh u cwiec bhal mhu qed jitratta lill-bqija tal-poplu!!

Daqs kemm ta kaz lilek GonziPN sur Demartino meta skuzani nghid mort idahhaq in-nies fuq Xarabank biex tghid li il-VRT kienet se tkisser lill-PN!!!

(I'm sorry its in Maltese but since DeMartino answered me in Maltese I have to the same)

Michael Tabone

Jan 15th 2009, 21:52

A bit off topic, but politics has really improved in my opinion since Joseph Muscat took leadership of Labour. We don't have the repetitive nonesense being done time and time again where Labour persists to pretend it's still running for it's next election.

Joseph Muscat has till now in my honest opinion done a great job of trying to change the labour party. He's confronted Jason Micallef, who has honestly showed his true colours since Joseph Muscat removed a lot of his power. He has gone against many labourites who now show they really were against change and were just all talk about it. I initially thought of joseph muscat as a Tony Blair look-a-like front for Labour...in-experienced, young and fresh. I'm also thinking that many of the labour delegates thought the same thing. Wow, what a suprise when Joseph Muscat actually put change into motion in Labour.

Sadly Labour is still a split faction with it's different factions and different ideas. Untill the party is honestly and completely united, I cannot see PL as a satisfying Opposition. I hope that things do turn around because I find it hard to think the PN could win 4th election.

martin portelli

Jan 15th 2009, 21:51

@Giov demartino

Is that what the Prime minister meant by new attitudes and action? Is that the official PN take on democracy ? I will assume you misinterpreted the party line.

F Spiteri

Jan 15th 2009, 20:37

@GiovDeMartino
How arrogant! Don't worry ... in 4 years' time you would be following Dr Joseph Muscat's lead and you will finally notice the difference!

E. Azzopardi

Jan 15th 2009, 16:34

This is why we are a democracy. You vote the way you like and these two gentleman excercised their democratic right. As a citizen, what bothers me is that five members where not there '' because they were caught up with other commitments" If they are MP's, parliament should come first and especially in such an important and vital decision. If the other commitments are more important, then there place is not in parliament but with their commitments, whoever they are. This is the reason why "the people" elected them or not?

Giov DeMartino@Albert gauci Cunningham.

Jan 15th 2009, 16:32

Gonzipn zgur jista' ma jaghtix kasek. Imma int, habib taghna, trid jew ma tridx, ikollok taghti kas x'jghid il-PRIM. Joghgbok jew ma joghgbokx.

Bertie O'cassey

Jan 15th 2009, 16:08

@ all the W&E commentators.

Could you kindly let us know how much was your last bill and the bill you just recieved.

From 6 households (and counting) of varied number of persons the increase was of approx 18% to 20% from September to November.

Give us evidence of the 185% please or else shut up as your comments would be unfounded.

I suggest to the times, they set up a service where people can scan there bills and send them to the times so that they can calculate the increase.

Matthew Agius

Jan 15th 2009, 13:39

I would have hoped to see the country united on a day when the Govt. has acted mature enough to choose a president out of the opposition. Guess the so-called political maturity we've been speaking about is not shared or doesn't even exist.

sadly enough.

joanna farrugia

Jan 15th 2009, 13:31

joe vella mela l-PL biss jiggieldu bejnithom?ara ma tarax il partit tieghek hareg b'ruhu u gismu kontra d-decizzjoni tal gvern tieghek.ghax imsiken hux jpo u l-ohrajn ma qalu xejn fuq din id decizzjoni hux!!! u hallina sur vella

F Spiteri

Jan 15th 2009, 12:01

Yes, C. Sapiano! Ask the irritated PN parliament members about this! Well done for the democracy in PN!!! It seems GonziPN decided to bulldoze over his members as well!! Well, he is getting used to by now!

V Fenech

Jan 15th 2009, 10:21

...And PN did not even vote. Democratic indeed!

C.Sapiano

Jan 15th 2009, 08:33

Dr.Gonzi proved he is a statesman. prosit !

Stephen Abela

Jan 15th 2009, 00:35

Any Prime minister is responsible to decide for the best of the country , or better, every civil servant is to choose for the best of the country . So Dr.Gonzi did what he is supposed to do quite rightly ! He chose the best available .........for once I agree with him ! The new ideas and politics by Joseph Muscat brought great enthusiasm which luckily hit Gonzi too !
GOOD JOB !TO BOTH PARTIES !

Lou Sultana

Jan 14th 2009, 08:35

So what? The Times this morning quotes the infamous Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando as being publicly against Dr Abela's appointment. So what? And 5 other back-benchers did not even attend the PN parliamentary group meeting yesterday to discuss the nomination. So what?

Denis Catania

Jan 14th 2009, 06:11

@J Martinelli: Wy did LawrencePN pick George Abela? Is it because there's no one in the PN that's better qualified? For Malta's sake, I hope that's the case.I hope he picked the best candidate in Malta. So I'm not the only PN supporter who sees the leadership in the PL as a bright one.
You say those who oppose the BRILLIANT move by the Prime Ministers appointment of George Abela as the next President!!! I agree with you. Can you tell us why YOU think it's a brilliant move? Are you admitting there is bright candidates in the PL.? Does ABC know what you are saying? Is he still going to be your web buddy anymore?

Joe Vella

Jan 13th 2009, 23:01

Jeremy J Camilleri (58 minutes ago)

"Joe Vella...Why? where you involved in something similar?"

Not at all. I do not belong to the PL and never did belong to the MLP/PL either.

Such things only happens in Political Parties like the PL that nature such culture.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Jan 13th 2009, 21:55

Joe Vella...Why? where you involved in something similar?

Joe Vella

Jan 13th 2009, 21:17

@ michael fenech (2 hours, 54 minutes ago)
@ Joe Vella,

Mr.Vella I have no idea what makes you think that I'll be left dumbfounded.

"No matter what the reason is behind he/she voted againest, the fact remains that it's a free vote. "

Mr. Fenech,

When on base his judgement on hate, personal vendettas, eye for an eye type of reasoning and then vote as he/she wishes I guess yes you can call that democracy.

When one base his judgement on wisdom, reason, knowledge, without any prejudice and then vote as he/she wishes I believe this is called Democracy as well.

Now I let you in your wisdom tell me which is the healthiest form of Democracies, perhaps you will be enlighten a little bit and understand my previous response to you.

Continue to knock ones head against the wall doesn't do one good either. The better advice is for one to move.

Joe Grima

Jan 13th 2009, 20:28

Please stop. It is being strongly numoured that the no votes to George Abela's appointment in the National Executive of the PL came from Alfred Sant and from George Vella. In a democratic party as the Pl is, these quirks are not only permissible but also possible. When these things happen, it helps to show the current leadership who is rowing against the Leader's flow and who he needs to be on the lookout for. These two gentlemen are considered to be on the fringe of today's LP and are only grappling to a past that was discarded by Joseph Muscat and by the thousands who unreservedly support him.

P.Schembri

Jan 13th 2009, 19:31

@all. This is the third time round that the Government is trying to divert the attention from the w&e bills arriving at our homes.

Manuel Mifsud

Jan 13th 2009, 19:29

I completely agree with Mr Alfred Farrugia when he asked: " Is it not very convenient for Dr Muscat to see Dr George Abela as President, and remove any possibility of being challenged again for the leadership of the PL in four years' time?"

This is parallel to the EU issue: first they told their supporters anything imaginable against the EU, then they told them that it was not so bad after all!

I understand why so many PL supporters are so confused.

J.Borg

Jan 13th 2009, 19:03

Gibtuli qalbi perzuta......PN Bloggers.

That's what democracy is all about.
As according to you all, we have to say yes and agree with everything that is done in our beloved island.
As for those lving abroad should take head and see what good can they do in the country they are living in at present or else come and live here and show us how sthings should be done.
We are not ostriches.....we are democratic people

edgar gatt

Jan 13th 2009, 18:59

Mintoff was Alfred Sant 's downfall. Alfred Sant shall be breathing down Joseph's neck from now on. La storia si repete...........

V Fenech

Jan 13th 2009, 18:50

Really don't know what this fuss is all about or what Jason Micallef has to do in this issue. Nationalists' are feeling rather depressed and are clinging to every little possible chance to attack Labour even with nonsense.

Are you supporting Gonzi's so-called "smart" moves with this arrogant and nasty attitude???

Alfred Farrugia

Jan 13th 2009, 18:39

Why is everybody so surprised about all this? Is it not possible that Dr. Alfred Sant and Dr. George Vella would have preferred to see Dr. Louis Galea as President, with apologies to Mr. Lino Spiteri?

Is it not very convenient for Dr. Joseph Muscat to see Dr. George Abela as President, and remove any possibility of being challenged again for the leadership of the PL in four years time?

I wish Dr. George Abela every success. His new position is likely to put him in some uncomfortable situations watching his own Party committing serious errors of judgement again and again.

H Mizzi

Jan 13th 2009, 18:15

It transpires that Dr Joseph Muscat has proved himself as a leader rather than a poodle.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Jan 13th 2009, 18:14

Really at a time when businesses are predicting lack of work and when I have just received a memo from my boss saying that this year seems to be less than spectacular with the W&E bills in the kitchen and other services going up and considering the disaster Bugibba lies in right now, how Alfred sant voted is of little importance!! Umbaghad Dr.Sant!!! As is I'd give a hoot what a failed politician who led the MLP from one electoral disaster to another might want to say!!

Sant (bhal Gonzi illum) ma jaghtix kas x'nghidu ahna!! mela ghalfejn ghandi naghti kaz x'jghid hu???

michael fenech

Jan 13th 2009, 18:06

@ Joe Vella,

Mr.Vella I have no idea what makes you think that I'll be left dumbfounded.

No matter what the reason is behind he/she voted againest, the fact remains that it's a free vote.
Most of the time on the PN said he/she have to follow party lines,can't vote as they WISH.

AND MY FRIEND THAT'S NOT DEMOCRACY.

J Martinelli

Jan 13th 2009, 16:47

Those who cannot swallow the brilliant move by the Prime Minister's appointment of George Abela as the next President are really rebelling against Joseph and siding with Sant, Vella and Micallef et al ! Sure signs of a unified party ! Or is it a case of Joseph grinning and bearing?

Someone had the gall to prefer George Vella as President !!!??

Lejburisti, hawwduni ha nifhem!

Jeff Inguanez

Jan 13th 2009, 16:38

Joseph Muscat and Arnold Cassola have become hostages of their own presumptuousness.

They were discussing a potential candidate when AD can have no vote in this matter and when its leader Arnold Cassola was voting not for a Maltese President in Malta but for an ex-Communist Italian one in the Italian Parliament!

Cassola has already described such person in the Times and his description does not fit George Abela at all. It is quite evident that Abela could never have been Muscat’s first choice either as Muscat's first choice would have been his long-time mentor George Vella.

It was quite fake yesterday for Muscat to make a statement in his own party headquarters trying (again) to politicise a most statesmanlike choice made by the Prime Minister and enjoying very wide support.

The men who come out with their stature enhanced in all this are the two protagonists: Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and to-be-President George Abela.

Hail both!

vincent magro

Jan 13th 2009, 16:35

Kultant jigri kif gara fl-Afrika t-isfel ma Mandela, u fil-Polonja ma Valesa.
Il-gebla li jwarbu l-bennejja, issir il-gebla tax-xewka.

clive seychell

Jan 13th 2009, 16:33

Oh what wouldn't I give to know the reason why GV and AS appear to have voted against.It would be understandable If some in the PN cabinet voted against GA but for Labour MPs to vote against?!
@J.Cassar
" Labour ideas are emerging to the top."
Surely you must be joking!!!!

Jeff Inguanez

Jan 13th 2009, 16:23

The worst ones are not the two Labour MPs who voted against and the one who abstained - their vote is at least recorded - but the five who did not even attend. These are the Labour MPs who did not have the guts to carry their responsibilities and cast a vote for or against George Abela. For transparency's sake, Labour should publish their names.

Mario Bonnici

Jan 13th 2009, 16:13

Again MLP wasn't capable to be united in such a historic moment. Still I'm not that surprised. Some people in the party are too stubborn to put aside past grudges and differences.

Joe Vella

Jan 13th 2009, 16:12

@ michael fenech (45 minutes ago)
"To ALL PN APOLOGISTS,

I truly feel sorry for all those poeple commenting here that do not understand what a true DEMOCTATIC VOTE is.
Because he's one of your own that dose'nt mean you MUST vote for him.

UNLESS THAT'S WAY IT WORKS ON THE PN SIDE. VOTE AS YOU'RE TOLD."

Mr. Michael Fenech there is no need to feel sorry for anyone and there is no need for any PN to apologise to .

You are quite right in you first part of your statement, and I totally agree with you in that one doesn't have to vote for an individual because he/she belong to the same party.

However, when one voice his/her dissent based on prejudice, personal vendetta and/or other illogical reason might be demonstrating his democratic right to vote the way he/she did.

My question to you, Who's interest does that serves? Malta's? PL? His own, I doubt?

I am sure that this left you dumbfounded?

c.camilleri

Jan 13th 2009, 16:01

@j Borg This was a leakage and not a published news. It means that there is still a mouse at the Mile end. Lino Cassar wrote about this in an other paper. However it would interested to know how things went at the Nationalist Parliamentary Group and Executive. It seems to me that the whole thing was done ' ala Dom' without any consultation at all and then both leaders expected to have their decision rubber stamped. I salute those on both parties who had the guts to vote against. In the case of the Nationalists those who voted for Dr. Abela has to carry a stigma for all their lives for turning their back on one of the best persons the Nationalist party ever had.

Joe Vella

Jan 13th 2009, 15:57

@ Manuel Mifsud (2 hours, 35 minutes ago)

"@Mr/Ms IGalea

You seem to enjoy yourself so much by referring to the "Gonzipn" slogan. May I remind you that thanks to that slogan the PN won the last general election!"

l. Galea and company still don't get it. Ssshhhhhhhhhhhh, let them daydream.

lgalea

Jan 13th 2009, 15:47

Karl Abela
Is it not true that Gonzipn did absolutely nothing about the illegal immigrats invasions as he himself had called it?
How many illegal immigrats have been repatriated?
Why was the ship not ordered to sail away and that no illegal immigrants will be allowed to land in Malta?

Can we have the vote of the Gonzipn Parliamentary Group?

Manuel Mifsud
"You seem to enjoy yourself so much by referring to the "Gonzipn" slogan..."
So what's wrong with referring to Gonzipn?

M.Buhagiar

Jan 13th 2009, 15:46

@ all the PN apologists

Do you really know how a party works internally??

Do you really think that when a vote is taken internally in a party all will be in favour or all against eh ?? If this what happens in the PN I feel sorry for them.

Who took Joseph by Surprise??
What a joke!!! With Joseph at the helm of the party and with his team il Gonz and his strategists know that certain tactics they used with the previous leader, this time won`t work!!

A Zammit

Jan 13th 2009, 15:45

@ p aquilina
mux hekk p aquilina !
joseph u dr sant l ahjar zewg mexxeja li qatt kellu u li ghandu l labour
joseph muscat l generazzjoni rebbieha!!

John Abela

Jan 13th 2009, 15:38

Why are people here so surprised with these 8 PL MPs who in some way or other opposed George Abela's Presidency? It is obvious that Joseph wanted George Vella for President. Within Labour there is a movement to oppose George Abela and insist on the government to appoint a President of Labour's own choice and not a 'Gonzi-Labourite' as many within Labour term George Abela.

p aquilina

Jan 13th 2009, 15:36

L-ahjar haga li setghu jaghmlu lbierah il-membri tal-grupp parlamentari laburista kienet tkun li jivvotaw kontra li abela jsir president u minflok jitolbuh biex imur lura u jsir hu l-mexxej laburista!

F Cassar

Jan 13th 2009, 15:31

IT WAS A MASTERSTROKE BY LAWRENCE GOZNI WHICH TOOK JOSEPH BY SURPRISE

HOW TYPICAL OF JOSEPH TO SAY THAT ABELA WAS ON HIS MIND TOO!!

LOL ...THIS COUNTRU NEEDS A MATURE OPPOSITION LEADER NOT A NOVICE..GEORGE ABELA WOULD HAVE BEEN THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB!

michael fenech

Jan 13th 2009, 15:06

To ALL PN APOLOGISTS,

I truly feel sorry for all those poeple commenting here that do not understand what a true DEMOCTATIC VOTE is.
Because he's one of your own that dose'nt mean you MUST vote for him.

UNLESS THAT'S WAY IT WORKS ON THE PN SIDE. VOTE AS YOU'RE TOLD.

Joe Vella

Jan 13th 2009, 14:10

@ D.MANGION (47 minutes ago)

"Dear everybody,
Please allow me to differ on the George Abela issue.
The agreement on the proposal does not necessarily mean that we are entering a new phase of doing politics in Malta. THE ABILITY TO EXPRESS A DISAGREEMENT WITH YOUR OWN PARTY ON CERTAIN ISSUES DOES.
For ages we've seen gentlemen swallow their opinion just because their leader imposed a decision upon them. ...................................... Disagreeing on one issue should never be a sign of a divided party. It should be the sign of a dynamic party, who knows how to discuss issues to the fullest, giving all possible space to dissenting opinions.
Such dissenting opinions are ALWAYS present within the grassroots of any party. So why shouldn't they be present within the representatives of the voters ? ....................,dissent, whilst we look down on Sant and Vella for expressing their view on the president's appointment issue!"

I totally agree with you. However, when that dissent is based on despised of a person and not on reason or logic that dissent is not welcomed. This form of dissent is based on the lines of a personal vendetta, and not what is good for the Country.

D.MANGION

Jan 13th 2009, 14:00

This is just history repeating itself.
1974- Approval of Malta's Republican Constitution
A free vote was directed to all our parliamentarians.
All 28 MLP's MP's voted Yes
Of the 27 PN's MP's 21 voted yes and 6 voted no. (amongst them the father of Malta's Independence, Dr. George Borg Olivier)
At that time, PN was depicted as a divided party, whilst the Mintoffian block was viewed as a unified lot.
History proved otherwise. It proved that the MLP block was not a unified block, but a scared block; scared to go against the word or their leader; Dom Mintoff. Dr. Borg Olivier is never remebered for voting "no at all costs", but for his coherence in standing for what he believed was right. Even during those event in history where he stood absolutely alone. He always stood for what he valued.
Sant and Vella may be wrong in their opinion, but let us not insult them for being coherent in what they believe is right.

Joe Vella

Jan 13th 2009, 13:58

@ Manuel Mifsud (2 hours, 1 minute ago)
"
This reminds me of the Mintoff/Sant saga. Dr Muscat should be on the watchout. Now I understand what he means when he mentions the difficult decisions which he will take and which will not be understood by everyone."

Mr. Mifsud this was not a decision that Joseph Muscat had to make. It was a decision that was forced on him by Gonzi, and which Joseph Muscat had no choice but to accept unconditionally

Joe Vella

Jan 13th 2009, 13:50

@ Bertie O'Cassey

"To comment negatively on this article one has to know what was the outcome of the Governments vote.

I think it is only fair, right?"

Not quite right Mr. O'Cassey since Mr. Abela came from the PL ranks and not from the PN ranks.

Joe Vella

Jan 13th 2009, 13:48

@ M Gerada

"The two parties must give a FREE and secret vote in Parliament when the time comes."

Parliament belongs to the People, and the People ought to know to hold its' Representatives accountable.

Malta is a Democratic State and not some Communist State. Only in Communist States, that the Peoples' business is conducted in secrecy, Mr./Ms/Mrs. M. Gerada

A Zammit

Jan 13th 2009, 13:46

Doctor SANT ghandu dritt jivota kontra min fi 1997 telaqna.

Joe Vella

Jan 13th 2009, 13:41

@ Jeremy J Camilleri (3 hours, 33 minutes ago)

"M Farrugia...do you have any idea what a democratic vote is?"

I think I do. First start with a dirty letter campaign, then at the end stuff the ballot box. How is that for a democratic vote, Mr. Camilleri.

F Cassar

Jan 13th 2009, 13:39

SO A LABOUR MP ABSTAINED:

MIN KIEN???

J Martinelli

Jan 13th 2009, 13:31

'Dr Muscat said Dr Abela was one of the people he had considered to propose to the Prime Minister'. Quote from The Times previous article.

So, may I ask Joseph why it took from December 29 to January 9 for the LP to make up its mind? Was it because Dr. Sant, George Vella and Jason were/are absolutely against the nomination?

So typical of Joseph. Something good happens and immediately he tells us that he already had it in mind to do something similar, or recommend it or back the government!

He can fool all people some f the time, he can fool some people all the time, but he cannot fool all the people, all the time!

So predictable!

Martin Callus

Jan 13th 2009, 13:30

Ghaliex dan l-ghageb kollu ghax mhux il-Labour kollu ivvota favur George Abela bhala Prseident? Mela kulhadd irid jivvota l-istess, bhal pupazzi. Kull parlamentari ghandu dritt li jivvota kif jahsibha. Ghalhekk il-PL huwa partit demokratiku. Id-differenza bejn il-PL u l-PN hija li l-Labour jikxfu ghawwarhom fil-pubbliku u l-PN kollox minn taht. Anke fuq il-kwestjoni tad-divorzju, allajbierek kollha ma jaqblux li jidhol, kollha ihobbu l-familja!! Rigward il-President, nahseb tafu li l-PN fl-1974 mhux kollha ivvutaw favur ir-Repubblika, b'hekk ghal Sir Anthony Mamo, fosthom Gorg Borg Olivier li dak iz-zmien kien kap tal-Opposizzjoni. Kulhadd ghandu xi jxomm taht ghabtu!!

Karl Abela

Jan 13th 2009, 13:27

@lgalea

Your arguments are really very weak.

Commenting about illegal immegration certainly does not reply to my comments about the grave deficiencies within PL....all your argument does is attempt to divert attention elsewhere.

I am pretty sure that you stand alone in your political strategy.... Joseph Muscat has walked away from the Alfred Sant dodgy tactics that you keep adopting. Your comments are damaging PL.

Manuel Mifsud

Jan 13th 2009, 13:16

@Mr/Ms IGalea

You seem to enjoy yourself so much by referring to the "Gonzipn" slogan. May I remind you that thanks to that slogan the PN won the last general election!

Manuel Mifsud

Jan 13th 2009, 13:08

@Mr/Ms Galea
You seem to support a left wing Party BUT your comments are extreme right. You attack opponents who are courageous enough to admit mistakes on their side BUT at the same time you insist that what you say is infallible. With persons like you Labour stands to lose, you only have to read the PL election report to understand what I mean.

joyce aquilina

Jan 13th 2009, 12:51

good luck dr abela and when is dr sant going to see that he is no longer the leader in our party

Francis Attard

Jan 13th 2009, 12:44

This is rather 'olds' than news. I predicted this. Some people never change. Their past is the garantee of their future.
I hope that Dr.Sant will not hold it against 'The Times', once again, for revealing this 'olds', considering the fact that he used the 'independent' daily 'L-Orrizzont' to put forward certain advises to his party when he could easily have done that in the parlamentary group.

C.Calleja

Jan 13th 2009, 12:43

What a political wizard Dr.Gonzi is! He managed to entangle the PL even on this issue. Although the majority is supporting the Government's choice, the PL group had those who objected to Dr.Abela 's nomination. This shows that,as usual, the PL is always objecting, even amongst themselves, on matters that should unite and not divide! Why do PL supporters want to know how the PN group voted? Elementary Mr.Watson! They voted in the national interest!

D.MANGION

Jan 13th 2009, 12:40

Dear everybody,
Please allow me to differ on the George Abela issue.
The agreement on the proposal does not necessarily mean that we are entering a new phase of doing politics in Malta. THE ABILITY TO EXPRESS A DISAGREEMENT WITH YOUR OWN PARTY ON CERTAIN ISSUES DOES.
For ages we've seen gentlemen swallow their opinion just because their leader imposed a decision upon them. We've voted to whomever will give us the most difficult "pjaciri", rather than to whomever had the strongest altruistic personality based on beliefs and values. Disagreeing on one issue should never be a sign of a divided party. It should be the sign of a dynamic party, who knows how to discuss issues to the fullest, giving all possible space to dissenting opinions.
Such dissenting opinions are ALWAYS present within the grassroots of any party. So why shouldn't they be present within the representatives of the voters ? So on one hand we glorify JPO for being the only PN parlamentarian who has the guts to show a mild sense of dissent, whilst we look down on Sant and Vella for expressing their view on the president's appointment issue!
Coherence please .

A Magro

Jan 13th 2009, 12:23

Who knows what several PN backbenchers voted??

I consider this article as very optimistic - Labour is being transparent more than anytime before. It is upholding a democratic process where ideas are shared throughout and no longer afraid of media!

PN is the party "behind close doors", its relationship with the man in the street or at work is ruined and this is clearly shown in the accounting exercises done by Gonzi, Austin and Tonio when they come to discuss particular social cases!

J.Borg

Jan 13th 2009, 12:10

So, according to some bloggers:

Democracy = we have to say yes and agree with everything.
What a laugh.
As for those asking for the PN vote you are wasting your time as it won't be published.
And if it is we will be told that everybody agreed......and we will be asked to believe it.

Lorenzo Vella

Jan 13th 2009, 12:09

The thing is that I would not pretend that the PN Parliamentary Group or Cabinet would vote unanimously in favour of Dr. Abela as obviously Dr. Abela is a Labour supporter, therefore i would imagine there would be someone who objects.

However, to tell you the truth I would have never imagined (or rather I would have) that any LP MP would have voted against one of their kind - one of their family. However, from personal experience I would have to contradict myself and think that yes, they usually would do that, because sometimes the LP members find it more entertaining to fight between themselves rather than do decent politics! Whoever voted against should have been carried away by this sudden political maturity that has hit Malta and put aside his animosity towards Dr. Abela and voted in favour. So all of Malta is maturing politically except these two or more individuals - and we are only speaking about the Parliamentary Group! Imagine what is there in the committees, districts and branches!

marika sammut dimech

Jan 13th 2009, 12:09

It is this hatred, these grudges which have divided our party and led it from failure to failure! It is these people and others like them which kept people away from LP and even to abandon it! Why this hatred?! Or could it be jealousy?!! They did not want him to become Party Leader and now they are opposing his nomination for President!!! Haven't they said and done enough? Do they actually think that we want to hear their comments, their opinions?!! Don't hold Dr.Muscat back from the change he wants to bring! Don't hold the party back! We want change, we want a party to be proud of, we want to move on and give the party a future, we want to give Malta a future. Prosit Dr.Muscat and Congratulations Dr.Abela! It's an honour for Malta to have you as her next President!

David Battistino

Jan 13th 2009, 11:50

The problem is that many are baffled by this move – mostly from the LP side because this is the way to do new politics. Is it/not? (again a first for Dr Gonzi) It takes two to tango, but than there are those who do not know how to ‘dance’ and try to do their utmost to stop the ‘music’

Ian Chetcuti

Jan 13th 2009, 11:49

Would love to know what was said during the discussion in the PN parliamentary group; if there ever was one!

Manuel Mifsud

Jan 13th 2009, 11:26

This reminds me of the Mintoff/Sant saga. Dr Muscat should be on the watchout. Now I understand what he means when he mentions the difficult decisions which he will take and which will not be understood by everyone. This is one of them, and I can also understand the complete disappointment of Dr Sant, Dr Vella and many others.

lgalea

Jan 13th 2009, 11:13

P Aquilina, Karl Abela
Gonzipn = Kawlata nobis.
What about the vote was in the Gonzipn?
As for the pn running the country satisfactorily we can easily see the results especially with the mass invasion of illegal immigrats and the incompetence of not sending them back.

David Farrugia

Jan 13th 2009, 11:13

And then there are people who expect the country to be united when these two hard headed individuals are still dividing their own party? How can the country be united if not even the PL can be united into one party?

Gonzi was rightly commended on choosing a person who unites the country-but alas-look at the result-people from his own camp are against him! Can you imagine the Labour Party nominating a President from the PN side if they cannot even agree between themselves on people from their own side!! It's a shame

F Spiteri

Jan 13th 2009, 11:05

Well said Bertie O'Cassey! How come we have no articles regarding the votes from PN side? That would be an interesting article to write about as a journalist! After all, we readers do wish to know how the outcome from the PN side as well!

I will keep waiting ....

With regards to democracy, yes, it does not mean that everyone must agree, or else! No, it means that people could be in favour and others against any issue. What is important is that the decision taken by the majority is then followed - that is all!!!!

And as far as I know, Dr. Joseph Muscat who ultimately is PL Leader, had already named Dr. George Abela as one of his preferred candidates and 2 against 26 votes means that PL is in favour of George Abela to be the next President, as Dr. Muscat and Dr. Gonzi both wish!

Anything wrong with that?????

P Aquilina

Jan 13th 2009, 10:53

WELCOME TO THE MLP - BALBULJATA SHIHA!

Karl Abela

Jan 13th 2009, 10:52

PL is like two political parties coalitioned together to form one party.

Sure, different ideas within a party is expected (and required) because every MP each represent a different section of the population, but for heavens sake PL really needs a direction before they make it to government otherwise they will not have the voting majority of the cabinet and will not pass one single law.....and they will be back in opposition after 22 months with a new name of TTP (The Temporary Party).

PN have their own mistakes but at least they run the country satisfactorily well.
PL cannot organise their own house let alone run the country.

Bertie O'Cassey

Jan 13th 2009, 10:47

To comment negatively on this article one has to know what was the outcome of the Governments vote.

I think it is only fair, right?

M Gerada

Jan 13th 2009, 10:34

Dr Abela is going to be nominated to the post of President By Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat. The two parties must give a FREE and secret vote in Parliament when the time comes. And another thing I wish to have an answer is: Did the two parties convened their party executives before the Parliamentary group?

D Ellul

Jan 13th 2009, 10:29

These are the people who are holding back the progress being done by Joseph Muscat. Please do us a favour and leave the party. Shame.

J Cassar

Jan 13th 2009, 10:25

I think the Labour parliamentary group discusses in secrecy. Such secrecy is justified, and it is sometimes important.

I am therefore under the impression that one of our representatives had decided to reveal secret discussions and divulge secret information to the public. I am eager to know who this person is, in order to explain this move.

One may ask what was the outcome of the Nationalist parliamentary group for the approval of GA as President of the Republic.

Good luck Dr. George, Labour ideas are emerging to the top.

Joseph Agius

Jan 13th 2009, 10:24

The problem with PL is that they cannot be negative about this move!!

Randolph De Batttista

Jan 13th 2009, 10:21

What's the point of this story??? Do we know what went on in the Cabinet meeting? Do we know what pressure Dr Gonzi found when he decided for George Abela? Or did he just entered the room, imposed the name of George Abela and went on to meet him?

At one point we want political parties, and the PL to be democratic, and then we attack its democratic process. I would have been shocked myself had the vote been unanimous!!!

P.Cassar

Jan 13th 2009, 10:12

Can we know also how the PN voted or was it just the PM decision, so much for democracy on the PN side?? Fron what I hear, I'm sure that if there was a vote it was not unaninous if it really came fron the heart.

Gianninu Saliba

Jan 13th 2009, 10:07

So if they cannot stand behind one of them being nominated as President, how on earth were we expecting them to vote in favour of all the Presidents the various Nationalist Governments proposed and elected? So it was only 26 Socialist MPs that voted in favour of President in Waiting Dr. George Abela. One abstained, five were absent and two voted against. And the PL want us to believe that they intend to turn a new leaf.

Richard Galea

Jan 13th 2009, 10:02

I am sure that Dr. Sant would have prefered a President who would guide The Maltese Republic to follow the French model....I am sure that Dr.George Abela will try to find a compromise between Our Republic and The Vatican State.....to the deterrent of true freedom.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Jan 13th 2009, 09:54

M Farrugia...do you have any idea what a democratic vote is?

m. farrugia

Jan 13th 2009, 09:44

hawwadni ha nifhmek PL