Eddy Privitera, Mosta
GRTU in a mess
The news that Vince Farrugia, director-general of the GRTU, is contesting the European Parliament election on June 6 on the Nationalist Party ticket must have surprised many of those who have held the GRTU in high regard for its complete independence from partisan political ties or influence.
After the official announcement of Mr Farrugia's candidacy, the esteem which the GRTU has enjoyed not only among its members but also among the public, must have taken a nosedive. More so after learning of Mr Farrugia's decision to stay on as its director-general and his first politically partisan pronouncements, which contrast sharply with his harsh criticismof the Prime Minister and his government until a few weeks ago.
To add to the mess in which the GRTU finds itself now, GRTU president Paul Abela has appealed to its members to vote for Mr Farrugia, thereby effectively directing them to vote PN on June 6, since a vote for any PN candidate - including Mr Farrugia - will be considered as a vote of confidence in this government, which has made the life of thousands of business people, including GRTU members, so difficult, especially with the scandalous water and electricity tariffs, tax on plastic bags, etc. Not to mention the way the PN government has defaulted on its 17-year promise to owners and operators of businesses at Ta' Qali Crafts Village.
I wonder whether Mr Farrugia will now have the courage to face those same people at Ta' Qali and ask them to vote for him and the PN, when he has decided to help the same government which has fooled them for so many years.
I am convinced that Mr Farrugia's decision was motivated by political convenience rather than conviction - very similar to a marriage of convenience.
This is why I believe that the vast majority of PN voters will not be duped into giving Mr Farrugia their first preference. They would surely rather trust those candidates they know are "convinced" Nationalists rather than some Johnny (Vinny?) come lately.
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L..Galea
Mar 22nd 2009, 23:08
c.camilleri
How could he be in favour of the eu when he was against VAT which was ordered by the eu?
Or does the eu haev a menu from where you can pick your choice?
As if!!!!!
V.Micallef
Mar 22nd 2009, 22:32
There you are, Ed. Mr De Martino has a very selective memory. He remembers the 5O's, very probably even the 40's when his northern friends bombarded Malta before being humiliated by the Allies but fails to remember Vinny's rabid attacks on the PN in former days.
c.camilleri
Mar 22nd 2009, 20:15
Talking of political convenience how is it that you came to join the labour party which is now committed to the EU. Have you also made a U turn and became a pro European. Have you abandoned your campaign against EU ? It is time to tell us how your conversion came about instead of attacking V. Farrugia who was always pro European..
GiovDeMartino
Mar 22nd 2009, 17:40
And I also remember what happened between the GWU and the MLP. Not before or after the referendum, But since the early 50's.
Kurt Mifsud
Mar 22nd 2009, 15:20
I agree with Eddy Privitera.
De Martino, do you remember what happened between the PN and the GRTU front man before the famous EU campaign election? Cause I do!
J Martinelli
Mar 22nd 2009, 14:52
Oh that Mr. Farrugia had chosen to run for the LP!
We would all have been spared another typical intrusion by Eddy Privitera!
Vince, as Eddy stated, was often on the same track as the LP, so maybe Vince will get a lot of Labour votes and a sprinkling of NP votes as well. Good way to get elected.
Go back to your slumber, Eddy.
J farrugia
Mar 22nd 2009, 14:26
Here he comes back to the fold. We need no preaching from the likes of you Mr Ed.
V. Micallef
Mar 22nd 2009, 10:24
There you are, Ed. De Martino's reappearance was unavoidable. But we beat him on the draw. After all, one cannot be sure whether Vinny appreciates the support of folks like De Martino. It is more likely to repel voters rather than attract them. And Vinny is too wily a fox not to perceive that. De Martino's next step will be interesting to watch.
GiovDeMartino
Mar 22nd 2009, 10:09
Welcome back Eddy! The GRTU is not an independent union like the GWU
V. Micallef
Mar 22nd 2009, 10:07
Good one, Eddy! The more Vinny-come-lately is submerged in the murky waters of his own making, the more upright you emerge. The contrast is inevitable. What's more, the more GonziPN appear dependent on Vinny, the more apparent that party's sorry state becomes. If they weren't in such a piteous state nothing in the world would have induced them to take Vinny on. Come June we will know whether the electorate's gullibility will match the desperate state GonziPN lies in at the moment. Eddy, we need more people like you. The more Eurosceptic you are, the more we need you now that we have been saddled with the EU membership.