Kurt Sansone
Worse than hoped for, better than expected
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in a sombre tone, yesterday, acknowledging the extent of his party's defeat in the European Parliament election at the hands of the Labour Party. "I bow to the people's judgment," he said.
The Prime Minister was non-committal on the possibility of reshuffling his Cabinet following a crushing defeat at the European Parliament elections.
"A reshuffle is one of the few privileges a Prime Minister has. It is my prerogative and I will only do it if it is in the best interest of the country," Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
He was addressing the media at 7 p.m. when Labour's margin of victory in the EP election on Saturday was almost certain. Further up the road from the Nationalist Party headquarters, Labour leader Joseph Muscat was addressing a sizeable crowd of supporters.
"I bow in front of the people's judgment," Dr Gonzi said acknowledging the extent of the defeat.
The result was worse than what the party hoped for but better than expected, he said.
In a calm, sombre tone, he insisted he would be taking note of the message sent by the people. He mentioned illegal immigration, water and electricity bills, the uncertainty in the job market and the public transport reform as the major issues that determined the election outcome.
On immigration, Dr Gonzi said the result showed that it was a major concern for the people and he had to take note of this. "But I also understand that people don't want this issue to be turned into a political football and when it comes to the national interest all parties must pull the same rope," he said.
Dr Gonzi said little else about what changes he would be making in government policy to address the people's concerns. As an aside he did emphasise that healthcare would remain free.
Asked whether he would be re-introducing the subsidy on water and electricity bills, Dr Gonzi said the government had introduced an energy benefit and would seek to reinforce that system. He pointed out that, in the coming weeks, the government would be distributing the free energy-saving bulbs, which would help people cut their bills.
"I understand that the water and electricity bills are a big political burden to shoulder. However, I am ready to shoulder this burden even if it means that I have to pay a political price for it because I want to give the people a secure energy policy," he said.
Addressing another campaign issue, Dr Gonzi reiterated his government's stand in favour of the new power station turbine, which will run on the more polluting heavy fuel oil rather than natural gas.
"We could have gone for gas or eliminated the power station altogether by simply connecting to the electricity grid in Sicily but that would require a lot of investment and it would mean electricity bills will have to go up," Dr Gonzi said.
"The experience of having ministers knocking on doors during the last weeks of the electoral campaign did us well because it brought the ministers closer to the people. I want them to remain close to the people throughout the legislature," Dr Gonzi said. Being close to the people did not mean difficult decisions would be made easy.
Dr Gonzi insisted that he was in complete control of the situation. "I am in office and in power," smiling he replied to a journalist's question.
He reiterated that the situation was made difficult by the international recession and his prime objective was to retain and create jobs.
He said the government had every intention of honouring its electoral promises but pointed out that some decisions had to be postponed to the second and third years of the legislature because of the recession.
Looking at the situation from a wider perspective Dr Gonzi said the campaign had been difficult for all European governments. "At one point we were even considering the possibility of losing the second seat. We were seeing our voting tally reach 35 per cent," he said, consoled by the fact that the PN achieved the same result of five years ago.
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Luke Gatt
Jun 9th 2009, 08:14
John Chircop, it seems that you do not read the news. The Irish government got a beating. The governments of the baltic states did not do well, see Latvia. Also the Italian and Spanish Gov did not do well.
Also the eastern European Countries are in dire straits. Sir you should read all the news. ( In Britain also the conservatives did not do that well)
Dr Patrick Attard
Jun 8th 2009, 15:31
Whilst we remain under GONZIpn, the rights of some sectors in society will be completely forgotten. He reminds me of Archbishop GONZI who was against the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 70s.
louise vella
Jun 8th 2009, 14:43
This item quotes Dr Gonzi:
“He mentioned illegal immigration, water and electricity bills, the uncertainty in the job market and the public transport reform as the major issues that determined the election outcome. On immigration, Dr Gonzi said the result showed that it was a major concern for the people and he had to take note of this.”
But reporting the same press conference, maltarightnow.com completely omits all reference to the problem of illegal immigration:
«Spjega ukoll li din l-elezzjoni saret fl-eqqel ta' sfidi kbar - ir-riċessjoni dinjija, il-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma, ir-riforma fit-trasport pubbliku.»
The PN media have been trying to hide the illegal immigration problem by not speaking about it. Hardly any reference to the boatloads that make the headlines in other media! This policy obviously has failed. Dr Gonzi must tackle the illegal immigration problem constantly, firmly and by taking into account public opinion. The time is past when he could wish it away by a few words about Christian values and moral obligations. He must put the people’s interests first and foremost.
James Grech
Jun 8th 2009, 13:16
Some issues in Dr. Gonzi's comments are contradicting: he said
"We could have gone for gas or eliminated the power station altogether by simply connecting to the electricity grid in Sicily but that would require a lot of investment and it would mean electricity bills will have to go up,"
So water/electricity tariffs have been increased extravagantly as from October when oil prices were declining and now he is worried that a move to cleaner energy would further increase these prices? What about the expenses that will be incurred due to the decision to going for fuel oil?
He further states that he is ready to shoulder the burden..I say he doesn't know what he is talking about. We, the MALTESE PEOPLE are ALREADY SHARING this BURDEN, which your party has unduly imposed on us . Can't Gov. possibly understand this? What does it take to have some common sense and be able to use it, in today's world?
He also says: "The experience of having ministers knocking on doors during the last weeks of the electoral campaign did us well because it brought the ministers closer to the people." Which doors did they knock on? UNBELIEVABLE!!
John Chircop
Jun 8th 2009, 11:07
All over Europe governments have done well. France, Italy, Ireland, Holland, Sweden. The only country where the government has done miserably is the scandal tainted UK. Any parallels? When will we ever have an investigation like the one in the UK? It's long overdue.
mario gellel
Jun 8th 2009, 10:47
Can somebody explain to me what Dr.Gonzi mean by WORSE THAN HOPED FOR
Ramon Casha
Jun 8th 2009, 09:45
"He mentioned illegal immigration, water and electricity bills, the uncertainty in the job market and the public transport reform as the major issues that determined the election outcome."
You left one out.: arrogance. The attitude of PN, even at this moment, is "we know what's best for you and you don't, so just shut up and let us get on with the job of deciding for you. If we want your opinion we'll tell you want it is."
The PN took the MLP to task for not respecting the people's opinion when Sant ignored the result of the referendum. They're doing the same thing now on a variety of issues.
PN MPs should be forced to write out "I may be wrong" 100 times.
Joseph Micallef
Jun 8th 2009, 09:31
Take the message from those who are taking the trouble to tell it to you, Dr. Gonzi. Things have gone too far. With people like Austin Gatt in your Cabinet you stand to alienate even more people by the next election. And show the people you are ready to rule through real dialogue. Flimkien kollox possibbli should be a real motto not just a campaign slogan.