Tonio Borg, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Valletta
Liberalism and Christian Democracy
With reference to the article titled PN Is Not Liberal (January 26) I would like to correct the reported facts.
At no instance during the dialogue held at the Balzan Nationalist Party office on Sunday, January 25, did I make a reference to same sex marriages or cohabiting couples. It must be stated that I made no reference to the "conservative ideology" governing the values of the Nationalist Party. To the contrary, I said that the PN's principles are not based on liberalism but on sound Christian Democratic principles. This implies that the Nationalist Party is not governed through a laissez-faire attitude but one where state regulation ensures the protection of those citizens in most need of protection and assistance.
Furthermore, in Parliament, I stated that it would be unjust for the landlord to be forced to acknowledge at his expense the transfer by inheritance of a lease to relationships beyond the current ones protected by law.
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Edward Caruana Galizia
Jan 29th 2009, 19:57
@Tonio Borg
If the Nationalist Party really is for everyone, prove it. Why hasnt the government come down like a ton of bricks on the Censors for their banning of a play? Oh and while we re at it. Could you please protect ALL the people of Malta. Too many gay, lesbian and bisexual people walk around in fear in our country because they have no reason to feel like the law, or the government, is on their side. Well done! I m sure you don t want people to feel like that, so why doesnt the government do something to change that? Gay marriages- go for it. leagalize it. It s got nothing to do with religion, it s a civil ceremony and document. As valid as ones between a heterosexual couple. If you really are an open-minded government then what s taking you so long? I think that it would be better for to government to fight these battles instead of throwing away time and money on projects no body likes or asked for. Give people their rights. No one wants a quarry in front of St john's anyway.
Charles J Buttigieg
Jan 29th 2009, 18:05
Quoting the Minister “This implies that the Nationalist Party is not governed through a laissez-faire attitude but one where state regulation ensures the protection of those citizens in most need of protection and assistance.”
Yes I am a PL supporter and very critical of Gonzipn so do not take my word for it, ask a PN moderate supporter whether they agree that state regulations, by ensuring the safeguards of those citizens in most need of protection and assistance should exclude couples that are not married be they heterosexuals, bisexuals or homosexuals.
This would also mean that a carer, living with single person, will be rendered homeless when the legal tenant dies. Is this what Christian Democracy is about Mr. Minister?
Erin Ciantar
Jan 29th 2009, 17:11
Dear Minister,
Seems like you just cost yourself and your party many votes. OUCH!!
Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!!
G Hargreaves
Jan 29th 2009, 15:31
Those Citizens most in need of protection and assistance are the very ones you seem to be so very much against. What's democratic let alone Christian, about denying at least 10% of the population of these Islands equality.
Precisely why would it be unjust for the landlord to transer any inheritance of a lease to those not covered by present legislation? . Ithink you would agree that the law has to be for all
The granting of rights to gay people need not be such a big deal.
Charles J Buttigieg
Jan 29th 2009, 14:16
@ Joe Vella (Mellieha)
Come June, the people will show you how much they listen to your advice. I will save this comment and send it back to you after the results with a note saying, “I told you so!”
Kenneth Grima
Jan 29th 2009, 14:10
@Tonio Borg: You waited decades to make a reform on the Rent Law, now that you are going to do it you leave minorities out? Sorry, you couldn't wait some more and make the reforms in civil rights that tackle co-inhabitants and gay couples first? before the reform in the rent law. Why don't you do it right immediately, without leaving any minority left out? The citizens in most need of protection and assistance are those left out and not covered by any law, so do them!!!! what are you waiting for?
Charles J Buttigieg
Jan 29th 2009, 14:08
Looks like ‘Religio et Patria’ is still on Gonzipn agenda. We have the Pope, the Mufti, the Rabbi and the rest to take care of our religions; we elect parliamentarians to take care of our temporal needs. Just in case this minister hasn’t noticed Malta is no longer 100% Christian and our constitution safeguards the rights of the minority groups also. If I were a Buddhist, a Muslim or whatever I would not feel well protected with a Christian Democrat Administration and as a Christian I feel sorry for homosexual couples and other non traditional couples. Wake up PN, this is 2009.
C Attard
Jan 29th 2009, 13:48
@ Joe Vella:
I am not referring to the vote taken last week on Giusto Catania's report, but on a resolution last year calling for a new anti-discrimination Directive, which your beloved PN MEPss opposed whereas the PL MEPs voted in favour of. So please take off your blinkers and get your facts right.
Regarding the vote last week, Casa and Busuttil, in a reversal of position that contrasts sharply with their voting record over the past 5 years, said they were in favour of the gay rights clauses but had to vote against the whole report due to the clauses on abortion. A very convenient turn around on the eve of the lecetion, obviously meant to appease a very upset gay ellectorate. They might fool some people, but not me...
Ronald Cauchi
Jan 29th 2009, 12:50
There was no need for Minister Tonio Borg to refer to "conservative ideology".If it looks like an elephant and walks like an elephant its got to be an elephant. This government is the worst example of conservative fundamental christian (democracy ?)
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Jan 29th 2009, 12:38
@ C Attard
The PN MEP had the guts to vote and take a stand. The PL MEP abstained from voting on the issue. The PL MEP abstained for the same reason(S) that the PN MEP voted against the proposed legislation.
So comes June, if one want an MEP who disregard his/her responsibility for convenience sake; Vote for one on the PL List.
On the other hand if you want an MEP who stands up and be counted, vote for one on the PN list.
Robert Attard
Jan 29th 2009, 12:27
Dear Minister,
You've just lost your gay votes. Best of luck for the next election.
martin portelli
Jan 29th 2009, 12:18
'Furthermore, in Parliament, I stated that it would be unjust for the landlord to be forced to acknowledge at his expense the transfer by inheritance of a lease to relationships beyond the current ones protected by law.'
Granted as the law stands it would be unjust for the landlord (or the landlady for that matter). ma Ergo, you see no need to improve current legislation to include protection of the rights of certain minority groups. Outside the protection of the law therefore non existent is it? One sincerely hopes this is not the case!
Could you also spare some time to civilly explain the tone of voice accompanying your statement in parliament at least? Some of us are sincerely perplexed.
Joe Grima
Jan 29th 2009, 12:11
I dont know if Tonio Borg was speaking in Maltese when he gave this comment to the Times and whether the true meaning of what he said was lost in translation. Hoowever, if his attempt at correction is correct, he has just confirmed precisely what he had been reported as havng stated earlier. He believes that , as Minister, he is there to protect only those couples who go through a Catholic marriage ceremony in front of an ordained priest. Again Minister Borg, wake up and smell the coffee. This country is scandalised by your fundamentalist attitudes.
Time for you any your ilk to retire and leave the political arena to more enlightened poiticians.
Franco Farrugia
Jan 29th 2009, 12:09
@ Tonio Borg: I am an intelligent person, even though I am no lawyer. And I heard what I heard from the audio clip that did the rounds last week, and I listened carefully to what you said and HOW you said it. It was an outburst of which you should be ashamed!
Secondly, what you reportedly said in the dialogue held at Balzan, the words you uttered were in the context of what you said the previous week in Parliament and for which you were criticised by all and sundry!
Once again, your words have done irreparable harm to your Party and there will be consequences.
T Mifsud
Jan 29th 2009, 12:00
@A Saliba
I never heard of the word "civil union". Is this the new politically correct word not to offend the Church? Same sex marriage is just that or are we ashamed now to say marriage?
Mary Camilleri
Jan 29th 2009, 11:40
"state regulation ensures the protection of those citizens in most need of protection and assistance" - such as those going through a difficult marital breakup? cohabiting couples that would like to regulate themselves?
In reality, you would like to uphold the current Nanny state situation that abides by Roman Catholic rules without any regards for citizens that believe in the secularity of the State. Its disgusting that you hide behind the words "protection" and "assistance", ask any person going through a separation/annulment and cohabiting couples (both hetrosexual/homosexual) whether you are indeed protecting or helping them.
rene joseph
Jan 29th 2009, 11:39
why did he sign: 'Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs' when he is clearly defending his party? another sign of not distinguishing the party from the government?
David Wain
Jan 29th 2009, 11:15
Now how is that for a clear correction of the reported facts eh?
C Attard
Jan 29th 2009, 10:18
Beyond what you said and how it was reported, your party's track record on cohabiting couples and gay couples is obvious. A couple of empty promises before an election and a quick U-turn soon after. We're used to it now, so noone believes you anymore. Like the time you promsed the local gay community to support an EU anti-discrimination directive, only to have your MEPs and Social Afairs Minister shoot it down a few months later. ome June, my vote is going to Labour.
A. Saliba
Jan 29th 2009, 09:16
"I stated that it would be unjust for the landlord to be forced to acknowledge at his expense the transfer by inheritance of a lease to relationships beyond the current ones protected by law."
And that is exactly why divorce and same-sex civil unions should be introduced.