‘I was not kicked upstairs’ – John Dalli
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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Alan Bruno Olivier
Dec 1st 2009, 20:42
One thing is sure dear John whatever all the hypocrits may say ....... The highest post achievable on the Island has been entrusted to you. So as for all here who experience sour grapes at their best ...... HUDU PACENZJA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David Attard
Dec 1st 2009, 17:09
You are right John you wasn't kicked you was just exiled to brussels just because you have disagreement with your leader I wonder who will be next !!!
john micallef
Dec 1st 2009, 11:02
@John Dalli
.......yes you were !
Anthony Castillo
Nov 30th 2009, 19:13
Lets put it this way it is very hard for whoever be the person to choose from the PN who is the right man for the job because there is so many good and intelligent politicians that as I said before it is very hard to find really the best because mainly the PN are all the best and our PRIME MINSTER who's the best himself finds the best out of the best. Congratulating John and you still going to be a great asset 'but now not only for our country but also for the EU. Keep up the GOOD WORK JOHN as always.
neville debattista
Nov 30th 2009, 15:32
I know it hurts John but in other words you were sent packing . It has now become crystal clear that Gonzi does not want you running around the block anymore. Good luck man. Kull deni hudu b'gid.
laurence schembri
Nov 30th 2009, 12:22
No John, you were simply shot out of the party. One cannot find a bigger attic than the EU.
John Pace
Nov 30th 2009, 12:16
Barack Obama is keen on copying European practice on his health scheme. John Dalli is the man to consult.
Andrew J. Smith
Nov 29th 2009, 17:17
Joe Muscat, PL leader and not George Abela - PL ..... 0 PN ...... 3
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.
c. camilleri
Nov 29th 2009, 16:40
To John Dalli. I did not know that you were held in such high esteem by labour supporters.!!!!!!!!!
Lewis Ellul
Nov 29th 2009, 16:02
@J.Martinelli
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.
J.Borg
Nov 29th 2009, 14:32
@J.martinelli
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!!
J Martinelli
Nov 29th 2009, 14:00
@ Lewis Ellul
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?
Lewis Ellul
Nov 29th 2009, 12:56
Congratulations to John Dalli from a die-hard Labour supporter. I hope you get the opportunity in future to teach Gonzi what " an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" actually means. All of Malta is waiting with bated breath.
Joe Savona
Nov 29th 2009, 12:36
Congratulations John.
You will do us proud.
Gerard Cassar
Nov 29th 2009, 11:34
It was never known that John Dalli has some sort of medical experience. He will shoulder responsibility while relying on others for all U.E. health problems.
Consumer is not so difficult and suits him.
Criss Camilleri
Nov 29th 2009, 11:12
Mr. Dalli, I do not share your Party's Political ideals, but I am sure, anzi, certain, that you will be a very good Commissioner, and will do Malta an honour. However, what I doubt, is the fact that someone wanted to get a good competition out of the way.
Congratulations Mr. Dalli, and I honestly wish you the very BEST OF EVERYTHING.
Charles Sammut
Nov 29th 2009, 10:51
"I wish to believe that he took decisions in the interest of the country.”
"Wish" being the key word here.
Bejn "believe" u "wish to believe" hemm bahar jaqsam.
J. Mifsud
Nov 29th 2009, 10:06
Oh.....how I like to read between the lines!!!!!!!
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.........
Charles Zammit
Nov 29th 2009, 09:56
In the best interests of the country Dr. Gonzi should have never included Mr Dalli in his cabinet. It is a known fact that Mr. Dalli does not blend well with Dr. Gonzi's team. Taking the right move would have saved the prime minister more embarassement and wiser decisions later perhaps.
The EU and us lose the offices of a proven, award winning commissoner as a result of this scuffle. Shame!!
g.c.Forte
Nov 29th 2009, 09:54
A good coach never takes the BEST PLAYER out of the team, unless they got trouble between them,or for financial business,which is not our case. The kick was upstairs,means that you had a promotion, and not like when he took away your minister ( which I did not agreed ). My point is that like you I wish to believe that the P.M.`s took the decision for the benefit of the country, but considering what had happened between the two of you ( again I did not agreed of how you were treated ), you do not need to go to the university to come to the conclusion that the P.M. intentions are either to get rid of you, or payback day has come. Anyway, although coming from the opposite party, still I wish you the best, you deserve to have such an important and responsibility job. GOOD LUCK.
vincent magro
Nov 29th 2009, 09:52
Prosit John, M'ghandi l-ebda dubju li kif kont success f'kull kariga li kellek f'Malta, se tkun ukoll fil-kariga l-gdida. Izda l-fatt jibqa li minn-Malta se nitilfuk. Jalla min se jiehu l-portafoll li ghandek int illum, ikompli fejn se thalli int, anke jekk il-mertu jiehdu hu peress li l-mizeri jiehdu z-zmien biex jidher ir-rizultat. Int ma tbatix b'dac-cucati.
Insellimlek,
Vince.
lzammit
Nov 29th 2009, 09:44
Congratulations John Dalli. This is the peak of your distinguished political career.
Stephen Farrugia Sliema
Nov 29th 2009, 09:27
Smelling more coffee !