Gonzi explains decision to nominate Dalli to EU post - No major Cabinet changes expected
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning insisted that the nomination of John Dalli to the European Commission was not a case of the government wanting to oust him from the Cabinet. He also warned that those expecting major changes through a Cabinet reshuffle were mistaken, because Malta needed stability.
Dr Gonzi said that three persons had been considered for the post - former Foreign Minister Michael Frendo, Malta's representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana, and Mr Dalli, who had himself expressed an interest in taking up the post five years ago.
It was felt that there was need for a change even though the current Maltese commissioner, Joe Borg, had served with distinction.
Furthermore, Mr Cachia Caruana was performing a very important role in the EU and within the government, Dr Gonzi said, while praising Mr Cachia Caruana for his valuable service.
Dr Gonzi said that Mr Dalli had given sterling service to the country and he had no doubt that he would give a major contribution to the European Commission in view of his vast experience in economic and financial affairs, social policy and health.
Dr Gonzi said Mr Dalli would remain a minister until European Commission President Jose Manoel Barroso allocated him his responsibilities.
Current projects and reforms by the Ministry of Social Policy would be continued
The Prime Minister referred to claims that Mr Dalli was being kicked upstairs and said such interpretations were absolutely not the case and those making such claims were twisting the political scenario.
He said Mr Dalli's successor would be decided at a later stage, but people should not expect major changes through a reshuffle because the country needed stability.
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Stephen Borg Cardona
Nov 25th 2009, 22:24
It would appear that the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi feels that political expediency is more important than Malta. How sad !
laurence schembri
Nov 25th 2009, 12:51
this is not jealousy. This is getting rid of a much wanted talent that john Dalli possesses.What a shame to send him to the EU where he will more of less become a non-entity.
D Agius
Nov 25th 2009, 11:22
@Mary Anne Borg
Kieku stess lil Joe Borg qed jithassru Ms. Borg ghax fie kliem kulhadd, inkluz tal-Prim Ministru, ghamel xogholu b'distinzzjoni u ha jinqala` xorta wahda.
Mary Ann Borg
Nov 24th 2009, 23:48
Jahasra, tal-Labour qed jithassru lil Johnny Dalli ghax intbaghat Brussel. Xebghu jaqlawlu u jirreferu ghalih bhala 'hu Bastjan'. Issa qed jithassruh. Tafu x'ghandna bzonn: Ghandna bzonn lil Joseph PM, Sciberras Trigona kummissarju EU (forsi jerga jilbes il-biretta ta' bahri) u lil Toni Abela Speaker tal-Parlament. Hekk biss hemm bzonn biex dan pajjzna jiehu r-ruh u jigi bhal Islanda.
JF Vassallo Ebejer
Nov 24th 2009, 21:27
Joe Borg served with distinction – as Gonzi himself admitted. Since when does a person who served with such distinction get kicked out? Joe Borg made all of us proud – irrespective of our political “colours”.
How can anyone justify such a move? The only plausible reason is that Gonzi did in fact want to get rid of Dalli. After all, even Dalli was, supposedly, making a very good job at his portfolio, so again, why not leave well enough alone?
This is the PN in all its glory – disloyal even to its best performer, Joe Borg.
H.Bianco
Nov 24th 2009, 20:44
Hasra kbira. John Dalli kien qed jaghmel xoghlu tajjeb hafna bhala ministru. Nahseb l uniku ministru li kien qed imexxi. Hasra Dr. Gonzi nehhejtu. Ridt tehles minnu u irnexxilek. Il votanti li issoltu jivvutaw lil John Dalli specjalment dawk ta Hal Qormi, jinsabu iddispjacuti. Naf' x qed nghid.
Anthony Roberts
Nov 24th 2009, 20:31
Let's hope the next health minister will be a vast improvement on the one that is to be moved. May be conditions at the Paola health clinic will improve, we can only hope.
D Agius
Nov 24th 2009, 20:01
If stability is needed Dr.Gonzi should have kept Dr Borg in office while keeping Mr Dalli to his place- which is indeed a portfolio (the health sector) were stability is in fact really needed! You don't fool us anymore Dr.Gonzi!
simon cutajar
Nov 24th 2009, 19:20
And Finally ! Dr. Gonzi has send one of the best ministers away cause he was making hiccups to Dr. gonzi.
H Caruana
Nov 24th 2009, 19:08
Do we need stability or do we need change? Will the PM please decide? On one hand, he says that Joe Borg served with distinction, however, he is sent back home instead of being kept in Brussels where he could aspire for a higher role within the Commission which, indirectly, is in the interest of our country. Is this a case of change or stability? On the other hand, he says that John Dalli had given a sterling service to his country, however, he is sent to Brussels instead of being left as a competent Minister here in Malta where he can continue to address the major challenges affecting our social services and health systems. Is this a case of change or stability? In denying that Dalli was not kicked upstairs, the PM is as credible as when he reintegrated Dalli on the eve of the election. Having said that, congrats Minister Dalli I’m sure you will continue to make us proud as you have always done notwithstanding the various spokes in wheels by people from outside and inside your party. Prosit John you deserve it.
c. camilleri
Nov 24th 2009, 16:08
I am sure that John will serve in the new post with distinction and will make a major contribution to the European Commission. He is a hard working and honest person who has given a lot to his country. Good luck John in your new post. After dedicating a life time to local politics it is deem and fitting that you end your pubic career as Malta's Commissioner in the EU. You deserve and merit such a post.
To those who argue that John is being kicked upstairs it is good to remind them that John could have refused to move from his post.
n xuereb
Nov 24th 2009, 15:51
i think dr gonzi just did a "sant" stunt... sometimes keeping your mouth shut is the better option!
Frank Muscat
Nov 24th 2009, 15:17
Words of comfort to the disgruntled back-benchers! Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in your self-styled Father Confessor's protracted decision and carry on trusting in him still. He will return at the opportune time and your trust will be rewarded. In the meantime, do give your Father Confessor the space he so badly needs. Brussels will certainly help him network to his heart's content and devise ways and means of attending to your unfulfilled desires!
James Grech
Nov 24th 2009, 14:18
@E Gatt
let me remind you that it was the present PM who urged Mr Dalli to resign, only to do a u-turn afterwards and to accept him back. It was bad judgement/decision then and is bad judgement/decision now.
J Martinelli
Nov 24th 2009, 14:18
@Charles Sammut (et al)
Dr. Gonzi lost 'what little credibility he had'? Compared to whose? Joseph's?
Dr. Gonzi is Prime Minister and has the power to decide, Joseph sits twiddling his thumb and watch!
Dr. Dalli deserves, wanted and accepted the appointment. Imagine how many 'dreamers' are on the Labour side! All chomping at the bit, but chomp is the best they can for at least another five years!
Had someone else been appointed, it would have been a 'bad' decision according to you and the LP, anyway. Right?
Dr. Gonzi did what any statesman would do, give the reason for appointing Mr. Dalli not because he had to, but to discredit rumours doing the rounds and initiated by the LP and its minions.
Who would you have approved of and appointed IF you had been in Dr. Gonzi's shoes? Dr. Gonzi's government is not as 'shaky' as Alfred Sant's was and the three plus years remaining will continue to shake the LP.
Now that this is over, let the li'l elves start speculating who will succeed Mr.Dalli - in fact it's already starting and the same inane insinuations will be repeated.
Jealousy will earn the LP absolutely nothing!
M Mifsud
Nov 24th 2009, 14:12
Prova ohra kemm Gonzi ghandu par idejn sodi. Nithassarhom xi whud jixxenqu ghall-bidla fil-gvern, ma ttihomx tort, ghoxrin sena fl-oppozizzjoni mhux ftit!
Alex Coppola
Nov 24th 2009, 13:42
Good luck Mr. Dalli. You deserve this post as I admire you as a straight-forward, outspoken person. Keep up the good work.
K. Galea
Nov 24th 2009, 13:27
As a Nationalist i always believed that one good thing about the party was that its members warranted the public of some intelligence. This is obvioulsy not the case anymore.
The public realises why this decision has been taken, although Dr.Gonzi of course denies this and thinks we are all idiots - that we are only imgaining that Mr.Dalli posed a significant threat to his position and that it is our imagination leading us to come to the conclusion that he was with his back to the wall.
Dr.Borg did us proud - he served this country with dignity - he has been given recognition by other Member States for excelling in his job as member of the EU Commission - so why would anyone in his right mind not reappoint him, considering that he might have been given a better portfolio? And if the reason is NOT that Dr.Gonzi was with his back to the wall then what is it?
Perhaps Dr.Gonzi should bear in mind that the Maltese people who put him there are the same people who deserve to be told the truth and who might decide that come next election their vote will go elsewhere!
Emanuel Dimech
Nov 24th 2009, 13:15
I can sense an aura of grief and bereavement accompanied by steams of CROCODILES' TEARS!
Stay put and watch the government accomplishing his vision! No virtual spokes in the wheels will hinder Malta's progress under Lawrence Gonzi et al.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 24th 2009, 13:07
@ Charles Sammut: With regard to the post of PM, one might agree with you. The question is: who?
N.Calleja
Nov 24th 2009, 13:01
Reading comments below makes you laugh! Some of those who wrote enjoy themselves speculating and inventing insinuations. No matter who could have been chosen, we would still have the same rubbish. Good job Gonzi doesn't take any notice of these comments and goes straight on his task to choose the right persons at the right time. Dalli's nomination is another wise and merited decision. One good thing about the Nationalists. There are so many good people to choose from. As the Italian saying...l-imbarrazzo della scelta.
Charles Sammut
Nov 24th 2009, 12:57
Dr Gonzi has lost what little credibility he had. It would have been shrewder for him to remain silent than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
A cabinet reshuffle is required, starting with the post of prime minister.
KCaruana
Nov 24th 2009, 12:57
If this appointment was a rational and well-founded choice then Gonzi wouldn't have felt the need to "explain himself"!
It's obvious - he's removing the thorn in his side (Dalli) and throwing away a great and hard-working man (Borg) to be more comfortable in his shaky chair of power. He better enjoy it while it lasts as I don't think the maltese people will take much more of this I think...
It's very sad to see a man like Joe Borg disregarded in such a way after all the hard work he put into his job as a foreign minister and as an EU commissioner. He more than deserved a second term on the job!
Well done Joe Borg!
E Gatt
Nov 24th 2009, 12:57
Labour tried desperately to discredit John Dalli with years of mudslinging and unproven allegations ... they failed and this is the result!
Now Mr Dalli has freely accepted one of the most important and influential positions in the EU. John Dalli is strong minded and I am sure he would not have accepted this prestigious position if it was forced upon him against his will. ...... As expected the Labour conspiracy theorists have treated us with a new story.
george d'amato
Nov 24th 2009, 12:49
If you are longing for a change in goverment you only have to wait for just under FOUR years (At Least).
albert leone ganado
Nov 24th 2009, 12:49
Well done to John Dalli. Always the best technocrat in the Nationalist party. I am sure he will be a great success and rise to any challenge in Brussels
Charles Micallef
Nov 24th 2009, 12:40
A very well deserved position for a good, hardworking and honest politician!
Good Luck John Dalli!
Pawlu Agius
Nov 24th 2009, 12:28
Looking forward to have JEFFREY PULLICINO ORLANDO as our new health minister. Good luck Jeffrey.
john Micallef
Nov 24th 2009, 12:22
Who was the PM answerring with this statment? PL or Arrigo/ Mugliett.
It's very intersting to know.
J Brincat
Nov 24th 2009, 11:56
Dr Gonzi can issue as many statements as he wishes but on the other hand we believe whatever we deem fit.
.
Gianni Xuereb
Nov 24th 2009, 11:43
He was kicked upstairs and out. Everyone is happy now :)
m pace 2
Nov 24th 2009, 11:42
Jobs for the blue eye boys and at least nominate someone from any independant boards who knows this important field very well and away from any political mentality that regards from both political main parties
Lawrence Fenech
Nov 24th 2009, 11:29
Out of sight out of mind.
joseph saliba
Nov 24th 2009, 11:27
Congratulation, John. A well merited post.
J.Scicluna
Nov 24th 2009, 11:26
Gonzi can breathe easier now that Dalli is out of his hair, and Dalli can "cry all the way to the bank"!
I don't know whether the biggest threat to GonziPN is Joseph Muscat OR Gonzi himself! LOL
Remember the old "Carry On" movies back in the 70's?
LOL
Ian Cilia
Nov 24th 2009, 11:26
A dry explanation. We would like to know the reasons for appointing Mr. Dalli and not Dr. Frendo who indeed has much more experience and contacts in foreign affairs. The Honourable Frendo always served in the best interest of the country and never was accused of corruption. He is a clean politician who deserved the post, taking nothing from Mr. Dalli who was indeed doing a great job at the health ministry.
Something smells funny.
Roderick Bajada
Nov 24th 2009, 11:16
This is quite similair to:
"Malta qed tbahhar fil Maltemp b'success u mhux tereq bhal pajizi ohra"....... and in the same hour he states that all the new taxes, higher tarrifs etc are because Malta is not any different than other countries because of the recession.....
which is which Dr.Gonzi?????
Joe Cassar
Nov 24th 2009, 11:14
Am I missing something here? The headline says "Gonzi explains decision" but there is no explanation whatsoever for the change, except the vague statement that "It was felt that there was need for a change.".
Why? If Joe Borg was doing such a good job, why "It was felt that there was need for a change"?
This is not going to make those who think that Dalli was kicked upstairs change their mind.
C Cilia
Nov 24th 2009, 11:07
Status Quo! Gonzi first says that the country needs stability and no reshuffle, than he says he saw the need of change and electing Dalli instead of Borg.
Do we need stability or we need change?
Guess we need change, and Change in Government!