Sunday, 29th November 2009 - 09:20CET
‘I was not kicked upstairs’ – John Dalli
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
Social Policy Minister John Dalli says his is looking forward to an active job, with lots of exposure when he assumes the job as EU Commissioner.
“When you kick someone upstairs you put him in the attic,” he tells The Sunday Times in an interview.
Mr Dalli who was last Thursday nominated to the Health and Consumer Affairs portfolio, would not be drawn into commenting about his well-known strained relationship with the Prime Minister.
“I won’t hesitate to comment on what the Prime Minister is thinking. He wanted to take a specific direction and I wish to believe that he took decisions in the interest of the country.”
He says he is prepared to face the MEPs during the Commissioners’ grilling in January and strongly denies he has any business interests which can cause a conflict of interest.
“I am not ready to sell myself or my soul. But we need to make it clear we are open to any dialogue.”
Mr Dalli says he will do his utmost to reach his objectives despite the bureaucracy that comes with the job.
Watch excerpts of the interview by clicking the link above. Read the interview in today’s edition of The Sunday Times.
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Comments
.......yes you were !
George Abela, President ( lost definitely by PL ) - PL ..... 0 PN ...... 7
Dalli ( commissioner, but out of PN Cabinet ) - PL ..... 2 PN ...... 7
PN definitely lost a good minister. A man who takes decisions. On the other hand we shall be having a prominent EU Commissioner who shall be definitely be giving a helping hand to Malta.
As the saying goes "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". Even though a Labour supporter I - and I am sure most Maltese except for the usual gonzi apologists - would have preferred John Dalli to the incompetent ex-president of AK we have been saddled with as PM. A time will come - hopefully very soon - when Gonzi will be kicked downstairs into the political basement.
by kicking someone upstairs you can have two different sides of the story.
either you kick him upstairs as means of recognition or you kick him upstairs to avoid having confrontations in the party......
as the story goes we people living in malta took it for being the second option.
but as always everything that you party does is sacrosant.......
even the way the outgoing commissioner Dr.Borg was treated is ok for blue eyed persons like you!!
A compliment from a die-hard Labour supporter will almost certainly be welcomed by John Dalli.
Doubtful policies such as, "" an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" often produce positive results on the perceived intended victims.
If indeed you believe that John Dalli was kicked upstairs by Dr. Gonzi, then Mr. Dalli will be reaping handsome returns.
No surprises, since when the '"eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" policy was applied to George Abela by the Labour Party, Dr. Abela became President George Abela.
Who says there are no winners or losers in this kind of game?
You will do us proud.
Consumer is not so difficult and suits him.
Congratulations Mr. Dalli, and I honestly wish you the very BEST OF EVERYTHING.
"Wish" being the key word here.
Bejn "believe" u "wish to believe" hemm bahar jaqsam.
I must admit that I truly admire Mr John Dalli's determination and perseverance after being relegated to the backbench, and this earned him more respect from disgruntled Nationalists and Labourites alike.
I now augur that the disgruntled PN deputies will immediately find an alternative father confessor.
The political scenario is really getting interesting.........
The EU and us lose the offices of a proven, award winning commissoner as a result of this scuffle. Shame!!
Insellimlek,
Vince.