Kurt Sansone
PN opposition to Abela's nomination
At least one Nationalist Party MP voiced his dissent and many of the old-time party backbenchers were surprised by George Abela's nomination for President of the Republic.
No vote was taken on Dr Abela's nomination when the PN Parliamentary Group met on Monday, contrary to what took place in the Labour Party's.
Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando confirmed that he disagreed with Dr Abela's nomination but would not publicly state the reasons why.
"I gave my reasons in the parliamentary group and don't wish to comment further about what was discussed," he said when contacted yesterday.
When asked whether the reasons raised during the meeting would have any bearing on the way he will vote when Parliament is asked to choose the next President, Dr Pullicino Orlando said: "When the moment comes, I will do my duty as I deem fit".
A number of backbenchers were expecting the Prime Minister to follow the decades-old tradition that has accompanied every Presidential nomination after Sir Anthony Mamo and nominate one of their own. Many old-timers expected Dr Gonzi to put forward Louis Galea's name for President, sources said.
Dr Abela's name came as a surprise to many, even if the nomination found widespread consensus.
Many in the PN parliamentary group were irked by the fact that Dr Abela's name had first been leaked to the media before being discussed in the group.
Former minister Francis Zammit Dimech was one of the vocal objectors to the way things developed.
"I argued in favour of George Abela's nomination but I felt the parliamentary group should have been told before the news was leaked to the media a day before. I argued that the group did not meet to analyse the newspapers," Dr Zammit Dimech said when contacted.
He argued that the group should have been involved in the decision "as a matter of courtesy" before Sunday.
"Having said that, it does not diminish anything from the Prime Minister's right to make decisions as he deems fit," Dr Zammit Dimech insisted.
Parliamentary group Whip David Agius confirmed that Monday's meeting had been scheduled for two weeks with the express agenda of discussing the Presidential nomination.
"The group's feeling was 100 per cent in favour of discussing the nomination with the parliamentary group first," Mr Agius said.
The parliamentary group, he added, should have convened earlier if it were known that the name could have been leaked to the media.
When the Office of the Prime Minister was asked to comment, it repeated the statement made by Dr Gonzi during the press briefing announcing Dr Abela's nomination. Dr Gonzi said on Monday he was "authorised by everybody" to send for Dr Abela and inform him of the nomination.
"There was no one who told me not to speak to him," Dr Gonzi said.
Five backbenchers did not attend the meeting on Monday.
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Charles Micallef
Jan 15th 2009, 09:40
It is a pity that this MP / Property Speculator, and Mepa Permits Guidance Soul, have to even comment, when the Country and the Political Parties came together on the choice of the new President, He should have also looked at the Times’ Poll, the results speak for themselves, There are better ways how to get into the voters good books, like going to church and pray!
John cassar
Jan 15th 2009, 04:50
The article and some comments indicate that the population has not matured enough to accept a nomination that does not fit the desired outcome due to political colour etc. Why does the president have to be of the same political colour as the sitting party in power or why should colour come into it at all? At the end of the day, the president is a figurehead who in reality, is there to represent the people instead of a governor-general representing the queen of England. So please, let us mature and set an example for the future generations otherwise, they will be the same!
David Pisani
Jan 14th 2009, 20:56
Democracy means also allowing people expressing themselves by a vote. In this case two voted against on one side while on the other there seems to be an objection to Abela's nomination.
Its seems that there is a lack of consultation, british inheritance culture.
Carm Vella Diacono
Jan 14th 2009, 20:34
I used to avoid partisan comments and pretend that the usual PN apologists do not really exist! The whole thing is becoming very funny - as usual these worshippers of Gonzi had to (as we say in Maltese) "jilagħqu dak li beżqu"!
They caused a whole fuss because there was two Labour MP's who voted against the nomination of George Abela. Everyone knows what type of excuse Sant and Vella have for their vote. But what is the reason behind the no-opinion of JPO or Simon Busuttil?
It is in fact worth mentioning that apparently Gonzi did not consult in any way with his team, let alone setting up a small election among the Nationalist parliamentary group! It is understandable that Francis Zammit Dimech and other backbenchers feel ashamed of the way the Prime Minister is doing things. Gonzi was not even capable of respecting his team members who made it easier for him to get back his seat. Is this the same way that Gonzi treats the electorate?
The Prime Minister needs to carry the responsibility of his actions and now apologise himself at least with his party members. The opposing PN lobby knows facts more than MartinelliandCO. do!
M.Buhagiar
Jan 14th 2009, 20:32
Allow me to correct certain Bloggers.
The PN , unlike the PL , DID NOT take a vote . 5 members were also absent .
c.camilleri
Jan 14th 2009, 17:58
@ j Martinelli (par.5) The nationalists have already voted against one of their best men. So there no surprise if labour members vote against DR. Abela.
Muscat Pat
Jan 14th 2009, 17:51
@Joe Vella
According to your logic Borg Olivier , Josie Muscat and perhaps even Dalli were stabbed in the back? Hallina, its the way things are in normal democracy. Stop seeing the glass half empty; it is half full!
c.camilleri
Jan 14th 2009, 17:50
Those who opposed the nomination of DR Abela in their respective Parliamentary Groups should show their disapproval in Parliament. How the whole thing has been handled is just unacceptable for the Nat. Parl Group. They were just called to rubber stamp a decision already taken. These things used to happen in the PL especially during the Mintoff era. Why no vote was taken is again a big question. Why were they called for? To hear a decision which they had already read in the papers. The whole thing was a farce and this do not augur well for the coming President.
J.Borg
Jan 14th 2009, 16:50
@all
All i wanted to say is that we live in a democratic country and everyone is freto vote as he likes.
Don't tell me that everyone from the PN side is always in favour of things proposed. That surely is a laugh.
It would have been bad if everyone said that they agreed.....that would have been truly bad.
And how is it that the pn didn't put it to a vote.....i remember pn bloggers that tis system is a mintoffian one....or is it good now.
give us a break....
V Fenech
Jan 14th 2009, 16:49
Haha! Remember yesterday how PN blindfolds screamed blue murder how labour was being negative? What are they trying to imply now? Is this another case where the Nationalist part and its supporters are being double-faced?
This is really a great shock for all PN supporters who are given the impression that Gonzi is like king Midas who turns everything into gold. Martinelli and co. thinks that politics are just made up of silly tricks based on what one tries to brainwash people with.
But at leat they too are recognising the fact that since Joseph Muscat has became leader of the Labour party politics has improved seriously. Thank you TIMESOFMALTA, at least you have revealed what sort of people PN is made up of!
Muscat.Pat
Jan 14th 2009, 15:43
I thought things were not changing in Maltese politcs. Finaly we have dissenting voices from the P.N.; not that these never existed, but because the gatekeepers of the party made sure nothing ever leaked out. Now, the hard- core P.N bloggers have to change course, or will they? Whatever, a welcome to the next President of these islands, President of all the Maltese whether Laburisti or Nazzjonalisti AD or AN!
J Martinelli
Jan 14th 2009, 15:30
@ J Borg
As usual, you mix apples with oranges.
1. The ultimate responsibility of nominating someone for the post of President is The Prime Minister's.
2. How the choice was made, in other words, the procedure itself, could have been handled better, but here again, we are relying on press reports and we know how misleading they sometimes are.
3. Not nominating several from the NP side, does not take anything away from their validity but the PM took an unprecedented move for national unity. Are we against that too?
4. Let us all wait for the crucial vote in Parliament and only then should we debate who voted for and against and why.
5. If anyone from the NP side votes against, it is understandable since the choice came from the opposing side, but if anyone from the LP votes against, it would be a vote against one of their own!
6. Changes within parties are not the monopoly of the Labour Party. Having a broader mind towards relationship with an opposing party cannot be hailed or criticized whenever it is expedient. Dr. Gonzi already declared that Dr. Abela's nomination came 'without any strings attached'. Is this wrong?
Joe Vella
Jan 14th 2009, 15:23
@ J. Borg
"So if there is oppossition for Dr.Abela from the PN side it's ok.
But if it's coming from the PL side it's bad."
Opposition from your Opponents is always expected, however opposition from within is not. It is like someone have just knifed you in the back?
Denis Catania
Jan 14th 2009, 15:03
@Joe Vella: So now it's fine. You and J martinelli didn't beleive me, that we need to stop listening to our party leaders, and act for the best interest of Malta. I have been preaching this for months. Yes I'm proud to be one of the first PN supporters to voice my concerns at GonziPN. By the way the actions of the PM, crossing party lines to nominate the best candidate convinced me to start calling him PM Gonzi and not LawrencePN. As he is starting to act like a PM. Now do something about the invasion PM Gonzi. And you Mr.Vella you should start looking out for the interest of the Maltese and not blind sided by your party or any party. These are the changes a young bright politician like Joseph Muscat can do for a nation. Good Job Joseph Muscat and good job PM Gonzi for trying to unite the Maltese. Don't fear the opposition but embrace it. Because when unpleasant things happen, we need both parties.
A Camilleri
Jan 14th 2009, 15:00
@ J Borg
My goodness!!! Sure one would wonder about opposition from the MLP to George Abela.... He hails from the same party! The PN is the opposite party and thereofre it\s natural that there would be opponents. But coming from the same party is very very strange!!!!
Very elementary Dr Watson.. ermm Dr Borg
Evasrist Saliba
Jan 14th 2009, 14:15
Seeing that George Abela's nomination for President has been opposed by Alfred Sant and Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando,one can rest assured that Lawrence Gonzi's proposal supported by Joseph Muscat is a good one.
This does not justify the fact that the Nationalist members of parliament had to learn of this decision from the press.
M.Buhagiar
Jan 14th 2009, 14:01
Allow me to add that even Mr.EU in persona i.e Simon Busuttil was against the nomination .
Chris Borg
Jan 14th 2009, 13:29
Ooh. So Gonzi is so great that he even ignores his own parliamentary group - and he has just got a one seat majority. Ahseb u ara lilna l-poplu kemm jaghti kasna!!! This episode just shows the different mentalities, Labour had a secret vote, PN no vote at all.
Awguri Dr Abela.
P.Schembri
Jan 14th 2009, 13:28
@all PN apologists. The difference between PL and PN, Muscat and Gonzi. Muscat went for the acceptance of George Abela for the vote. Gonzi went with a fait accompli. And you dare to call the PL an undemocratic party? Now who's the democratic one? Of course I'm sure you'll come up with some excuse. But we've had it from the horse's mouth, that from the PN side there was no voting.
P.Cassar
Jan 14th 2009, 13:27
Where are all the PN apologists now??? Where is democracy and consultation within the PN. Flimkien kollox possibli my foot !!! PN Backbenchers, PN doubters and PLO are not happy at the way things are going and Gonzi knows this. Hope to have another Disset on MTV to see how G Sapiano would talk now.
Franco Farrugia
Jan 14th 2009, 13:16
@ Mr Dempster - I don't agree with you., As far as I can recall, the facts were thus: Dr Abela warned Dr Sant not to put himself in a 'sinkable' position; Dr Sant was too headstrong to listen to reason, and so, Dr Abela resigned from the leadership of that ship!
J.Borg
Jan 14th 2009, 13:11
So if there is oppossition for Dr.Abela from the PN side it's ok.
But if it's coming from the PL side it's bad.
What a joke.......where is Mr. Martinelli now....is this undemocratic too.
Or since theis is from PN side it's OK for you......
@ Karl Abela
coming from PL side is surprising....why..may i ask?
don't we live in a democratic country......and do you expect everyone to agree with everybody.
where is our freedom of speech and thinking....
Joe Vella
Jan 14th 2009, 12:48
@ D.MANGION (1 hour, 31 minutes ago)
"
This is really good news to hear.
Maybe finally we are really entering into a new season of doing politics....the season when our politicians would have the guts to show dissent towards their own parties and make known thier dissent to the general public."
Dissent in the PN was never a problem. However one cannot say the same for the MLP/PL.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be a price on each head of their elected MEP/MP if they dissented from Party Policy.
And someone called the MLP/PL a democratic institution?
Mario Bonnici
Jan 14th 2009, 12:34
Dissent or not, I feel that in parliament everyone has to respect the will of the majority of both political parliamentary groups and vote in favour of Dr.Abela as president.
This is a historic moment, so let's be responsable.
Dominic Fenech
Jan 14th 2009, 12:19
Who wants Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's endorsement anyway?
Karl Abela
Jan 14th 2009, 11:41
Some opposition from the PN is expected.
Some opposition from MLP is quite surprising though.
Charles Muscat
Jan 14th 2009, 11:27
Does Malta need a president? Can Malta afford one?
D.MANGION
Jan 14th 2009, 11:09
This is really good news to hear.
Maybe finally we are really entering into a new season of doing politics....the season when our politicians would have the guts to show dissent towards their own parties and make known thier dissent to the general public.
In Malta our electoral system gives us the opportunity to vote primarily for the individual, and then to the party. (even though many-a-times we are not aware of this). As a result of this we trust the individual to voice his(our) opinion no matter what.
Of course we always expect that he behaves according to the party's principles and values.
I don't agree with JPO, or Francis Zammit Dimech or Alfred Sant or Dr. George Vella on their opinion about the choice of Dr. George Abela as president, but a big congratualtions to all four of them for having the courage to show thier dissent from their own party lines on this issue.
Maybe finally, we are looking at the dawn of the real democracy.
This should be followed up by allowing our MP's to be able to vote more freely in parliament on certain issues....obviously not on matters which would jeopardize government stabillity.