UPDATE 2: Slow vote counting continues, but PN sees sixth seat going Labour

Peter Korsten

Jun 9th 2009, 09:44

Caling people, who kill animals for entertainment 'victims' is a bit of a stretch. Defenseless birds flying over the islands and being shot down, yes, those are victims, but people with big guns and pick-up trucks? That's so laughable that it isn't even funny.

Marco Talia

Jun 9th 2009, 01:30

I hope that dr. Gonzi awakes from dreamland and starts to do something coz the maltese people are angry!! The election result speaks within! Surcharge, Vehicle taxes, illegal Immigrants, taxes, taxes, taxes...

C.Zarb

Jun 9th 2009, 00:36

If the Government succumb to the empty threats of the hunters then it will end up losing more votes that its actually would have won. The problem is not hunting/trapping. The problem are issues like illegal immigration, surcharge and inflation which had bled the population dry.

Frank Schembri

Jun 9th 2009, 00:00

Dear Joann
"At least M. Mizzi is a decent person......"
Do you mean that Profs. Scicluna, L. Grech and J .Cuschieri are not? What kind of reasoning is this? Or is it because they represent the PL?
With people like you, no wonder the PN fared so badly this time round.

C. Engwall

Jun 8th 2009, 23:41

Dear Ms. Bugeja, if you are going to call hunters and trappers fanatics, you shouldn't stop there...keep going.....British fox hunters along with other hunters all over the world, Spanish matadors....etc etc.....What do you and all the others that look down their noses at hunters and trappers think that being a non hunter or non trapper makes you a better person, maybe more upper class or cosmopolitan? Because really all it shows is small mindedness and ignorance. Trappers and hunters are practising a very old sport and they are probably the more authentic and real Maltese. I don't deny that some so called hunters and trappers who are simply destroyers, don't give the real ones a bad name. But that happens in every arena of life. So no the NO the PN didn't lose because of the "fanatics' ,it lost because the people of Malta and Gozo are not stupid and they are finally doing something about the un acceptable situation they are in. Wake up and smell the Roses!

Patrick Grixti

Jun 8th 2009, 23:35

My Congrats to the first female MEP. The PN is really toasted now. PN mend your arrogant ways. Remember you have a token majority to jistify your swagger!

Carmel Saliba

Jun 8th 2009, 23:22

Is the General Secretary of the Nationalist Party Dr Borg Olivier doing his calculations WELL?
Are these comments the same as that of the 57% compared with the actual 55% in favour of the PL?

Ray mangani

Jun 8th 2009, 23:17

I would lilke to thank all hunters and trappers being PL supporters, being (were) PN supporters for their contribution in pulling this goverment by the ear for misleading and misinforming us re- Hunting and trapping derogations.
I would like also thank Dr. Joseph Muscatf or putting pressure on the same government re- this issue, by promising that if Hunters hunt in the EU countries in springtime which they PRACTISE 365 DAYS A YEAR!!!,, and trappers trap in Autmn season ., we now as EU citizens , have the right to practise our hobbies !

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Jun 8th 2009, 23:11

JoannBugeja

Dr. Gonzi maintains that the PN is defending spring hunting, when we all know he's fooling. Unless he sticks out his neck for Malta's rights no less than those leaders of any other EU state do, he can never be credible.

Yet Dr. Gonzi tried convincing a few hunters at three secretive meetings for PN hunters, with the help of Alex P, Calascione that all the PN was doing was correct. FAR FROM IT. A.P.C"s result as for Dr.Gonzi's hunting credibility speak voulmes.

Dr. Gonzi, in a bid not to loose any PN anti hunters vote also allowed Edward Demicoli to contest with the declared intention of abolishing spring hunting. Yet again his election results are a laugh.

So trying to appease both the Hunter and the Green element has only proved disastrous.

As for your terming hunters a "bunch of fanatics" you are only proving the point that the PN had better be truthful to hunters rather then remain passive for fear of there being more green votes to win.

If the "bunch of fanatics" do make a difference Dr. Gonzi has only himself to blame.

Two elections proved this perfectly!!

P.Zammit

Jun 8th 2009, 23:08

@Fabian Borg
Tghid mhux il-kaccaturi kollha bolloh hekk u lesti li ghal kacca jarmu gid pajjizhom l-hemm. Tajjeb, foldiri jekk qed naghmel cake, u z-zokkor inserta mil-isfar flok l-abjad narmi l-ingredjenti kollha. Jekk ghamilt hekk, hlejt il-vot tieghek, gharmejtu. Kaccaturi naf tnejn u mhux lesti jaghmlu bhalek

malcolm seychell

Jun 8th 2009, 23:06

It would be an honour to have Marlene Mizzi representing us.

PN can blame themselves

They are more socialist then the PL, and like all left wing parties lost the EU elections.

James Borg

Jun 8th 2009, 22:46

@Joann Bugeja
Considering you put ALL hunters and trappers in the fanatic area, one can assume that ALL Bird Life volunteers are the opposing fanatics. This could also mean that you have a very narrow view of things.
Remember that there was a 78% turnout only. Who knows if these also are some sort of fanatic. Maybe they're protesting against something or someone. Maybe they're Nationalist or Labour fanatics. Maybe they wanted to vote for Lowell and lacked courage. How can you generalise and call people, who in the vast majority are law abiding citizens, fanatics? Are they less of a citizen than those who love to race or keep horses? Or those who race cars? Or those who love football or sport? Are they?

C.R. Taliana

Jun 8th 2009, 22:46

Fair Enough! That 15% difference was worth it then!

charles zammit

Jun 8th 2009, 22:44

that would be poetic justice. i cant fathom how a difference between two parties of 15% amounting to 35000 votes would mean that the two parties get 3 meps each. but the pn gen sec statemante has to be taken with a pinch of salt especially after yesterday's declaration that labours share of vote was 57% give and take one per cent.

Joann Bugeja

Jun 8th 2009, 22:40

Dear Fabian,
There are more important issues than HUNTING & TRAPPING!! There are the issues of - unemployment, cost-of living & illegal immigration for eg which are MORE important.

Why can't we focus on a wider perspective of our problems for the good of our country !! I do believe & understand those who wanted to give a message to the present govt...I too criticised this govt when I had to, but let's face it - will Hunting & trapping solve our problems on illegal immigration, unemployment, the (global) recession etc ?
In a way, I'm happy that PL has won this election...The proof is in the eating as they say ! Now we'll have the opportunity to experience PL representative in brussels ! We'll see what they have to offer- concrete solutions that is !

Tim Ripard

Jun 8th 2009, 22:37

ddahhaqx nies, Fabian! Nafu l-verita'!

Charles Stafrace

Jun 8th 2009, 22:33

Marlene Mizzi would do Malta an honour should she be elected to the European Parliament.. With her experience, personality and tenacity, I'm sure she would be be able to see to it that Malta becomes really European, something that the Government has hopelessly failed to achieve. She had stated publicly on TV that she had voted Yes in the 2003 referendum, so that an an MEP she would have to prove what she has always believed in.

Fabian Borg

Jun 8th 2009, 22:26

Dear Joann,
Hunters and Trappers are not a bunch of fanatics.
They are victims of a situation brought by by the Nationalist Government`s way to handle things in an unforgiving way. Hopefully this result will enlighten GonziPN to give hunters and trappers what is permissable within the parameters of the EU Law which is already less than what they (PN, OPM, MIC, SB e bella compania) promised and GUARANTEED.
It is never too late to solve such an issue which is dear to the heart of so many fellow citizens.
Maybe next time round the situation will improve and the result will be different.

Joann Bugeja

Jun 8th 2009, 22:15

Had no doubt in that....considering the amount of first count votes obtained by Marlene Mizzi alone!
It's a pity that PN has to surrender its 3rd seat because of a bunch of fanatics, like hunters and trappers !
At least M.Mizzi is a decent person. I wish her all the best ..should the Lisbon Treaty be enacted !