Kurt Sansone
Musumeci, Micallef still not sure to contest
Speaker Louis Galea's nomination to the European Court of Auditors has left only two people with a chance of replacing John Dalli in Parliament from a casual election and both are still undecided about whether to contest.
Mr Dalli, Social Policy Minister, is expected to vacate his parliamentary seat later this month when he officially takes up his post as EU Commissioner.
A casual election would have to be held in the sixth district to replace him but Dr Galea's departure means that the only two potential candidates left are Siġġiewi mayor Robert Musumeci and Żebbuġ local councillor Peter Micallef.
Mr Musumeci was still undecided on whether to contest when contacted yesterday. He said he was still "evaluating the matter".
On the other hand, Dr Micallef said he would "probably contest" but would take a "clear stand" closer to the day.
Mr Musumeci would start the casual election with 235 votes, the number inherited by Mr Dalli when Mr Musumeci was eliminated in the general election.
This would give him a head start over Dr Micallef who would start the race with zero votes.
However, the Żebbuġ doctor can be expected to do well since he has a strong constituency in Qormi, Mr Dalli's home town. Dr Micallef would also benefit from his surname, which puts him one notch above Mr Musumeci; given traditional voting patterns, he could be assured of a substantial number of inherited votes from people who simply vote from top to bottom for all candidates of their party.
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Joseph M. Camilleri
Feb 3rd 2010, 23:54
On Facebook, Mr. Musumeci wrote: “Numru li qed jikber ta’ individwi qed jagħżlu, għax iridu, li jgħixu f’mudelli differenti mill-familja tradizzjonali fiż-żwieġ. Dawn il-persuni għandhom id-dritt li jagħmlu għażla ħielsa u jixraqilhom li d-drittijiet tagħhom jiġu tutelati daqs ta’ ħaddieħor fis-soċjeta’ ”. This view is surely not in line with the Christian values of the party which Mr. Musumeci believes in and adheres to, which include that of the family. Dr. Gonzi and P.N. must show that they believe in the values of the family not only with words by with concrete action. Someone like Mr. Musumeci who does not live up to these values should not be permitted to represent PN in Parliament. If PN allows Mr. Musumeci to contest the forthcoming by-election or any other election, be it general election or local council elections, under its ticket, than sadly it is showing that it preaches in one manner and behaves in an opposite manner, and will surely let down those Nationalists who are seriously committed to their Christian faith.
mario bruno
Feb 3rd 2010, 08:58
Dr.Micallef go for it because you are a great person.
mario bruno(valletta)
Joseph Grech
Feb 3rd 2010, 01:22
How ridiculous Malta's electoral system is!
Some people sometimes make it to Parliament NOT as a result of personal merit and ability but simply because they attach themselves like leeches to a politcal party.
If you want to become an M.P. first contest the Local Council elections as a ''representative'' of one of the political parties. Do not be unduly worried if you make a dismal and inefficient show there! What's important is that you always toe the party line - at all costs and to hell with ethics, sustainability, the environment and all such shit!
Then, after some years, contest the general elections as before backed by that same political party. Go about running after voters promising them all sorts of favours IF you get elected of course.
If you obtain a miserly number of first count votes do not fret - you may still make it to Parliament through the back door - nowadays it has become the fashion to get rid of problematic M.P.s one way or another and this may be to your own advantage. You yourself become an M.P., earn a big salary, obtain a huge pension and (of course) serve Malta well.
jeffrey pullicino orlando M.P.
Feb 3rd 2010, 01:07
I know both Robert and Peter personally. They are both dedicated and trustworthy politicians who sincerely want to do their bit for their country. Parliament will definitely benefit from the presence of either one of them.
Anthony Farrugia
Feb 2nd 2010, 21:55
@Charles Sammut: You don't geddit do you. So when our MPs start behaving like our fratello di oltre mare Silvio, it's ok as private and public life are separate. The mind boggles !
Charles Sammut
Feb 2nd 2010, 20:14
@ Anthony Farrugia
I got the feeling that you thought that I am some dyed in the wool Laburist who only sees red. Now you know that I am not. You thought you could instill guilt in me by mentioning the burning of The Times building. I find that patronizing. You, on the other hand are unable to find fault with GonziPN and will attack viciously anyone who does. That's paranoia.
I reiterate, what one does in one's private life is private. Take Winston Churchill, a habitual alcoholic and amphetamine abuser. Bill Clinton, notorious philanderer, as was Roosevelt. Ted Heath and his bf's. So according to you, were these politicians were unfit for their job? Luckily they were the ones to run the country, not their local curia.
Now democracy GonziPN style means someone like Dr Peter Micallef "who who would start the race with zero votes" would be elected to parliament. Unbelievable!
Mr Musumeci has every right to contest this bye-election and so he should. His votes are his and his alone.
Anthony Farrugia
Feb 2nd 2010, 18:37
@Charles Sammut: Define "paranoid" for me to see if you or I fall into that category.
In what way am I "patronising" you? Maybe a trace of paranoia here.........
Mr Musumeci is a public person (Mayor of Siggiewi and wannabe MP) so his public and private life are under scrutiny by his electors who would want to know what type of person they are electing.
If Mr Musumeci chose to commit political suicide, he has nobody else but himself to blame !
F Micallef
Feb 2nd 2010, 17:55
I agree with charles sammut.
Frankly I do not care what musumeci does in his personal. He was always innovative and always delivered...i don't see why he should not contest. good luck robert musumeci.
Frans.
Ron Saliba
Feb 2nd 2010, 16:56
@Charles Sammut
- Quote :I am morally convinced that he would have been gently persuaded that contesting could have the same effect as those health warning labels on cigarette packets'
Bad example mate, people smoke, notwithstanding the health warning labels..
Charles Sammut
Feb 2nd 2010, 16:53
@ Anthony Farrugia I agreed with you but you are paranoid.
I know what it was like in 1987. I was arrested on the strength of an anonymous phone call, which I know the police themselves made. I was kept in a filthy cell for 24 hours. My car was also seized and kept for 2 weeks for forensic tests which of course were negative. My wife and 2 toddlers were intimidated by 2 Jettas (remember them?) full of CID police banging on my door. There were some bad apples in the police force and there were some honest ones. I was lucky that the honest ones prevailed in my case. So don't patronize me on this aspect.
What Mr Musumeci does in his private life is nobody's business except for some gossiping, frustrated housewife. He did not break any law. So those without blemish let them cast the first stone. Of course there are some who are without blemish, but not for lack of trying.
History is replete with politicians who led less than virtuous private lives but were great leaders and did good.
Anthony Farrugia
Feb 2nd 2010, 16:31
@Charles Sammut: Yea, like the burning down of the Times of Malta building by labour thugs endangering lives of emplyees still inside. But the Times was still published and on sale the next day.
Have a look at my previous post below:Mr Musumeci is reaping the wild oats which he himself has sown. He has blown away his political carreer, for what ? This was no assasination, it was suicide !
Charles Sammut
Feb 2nd 2010, 16:05
@ Anthony Farrugia "This is 2010 and not the 1971 - 1987 era of shame."
Indeed it is, things are done more discreetly nowadays. But instead of physically assassinating people, their character is. All's fair in love, war and politics.
It is not up to the PN whether Mr Musumeci contests or not. However I am morally convinced that he would have been gently persuaded that contesting could have the same effect as those health warning labels on cigarette packets.
Arthur Cassar
Feb 2nd 2010, 13:43
I say this only once: Musumeci must not run for the bye election. He's out. The PN doesn't want such people within its ranks.
Paul Borg
Feb 2nd 2010, 12:45
Anyone who declared that the interests of his clients take precedence (his favourite word!) over those of the community, has lost his right to be one of the country's rulers. Just think of what he could do in the interests of his clients in Parliament!
In fact because of what he said, and of the 'paprati' that all of Siggiewi has been talking about even before they came up in the blogs, he has disgraced his position as Mayor of Siggiewi, and should be made to resign.
I don't know how clients can still go to him, knowing that their applications will be checked more then others.
David Buttigieg
Feb 2nd 2010, 12:00
@L. Galea
"And columnists should keep their place. "
And what place, pray tell, would that be? Miss the eighties' type of "columnist control" do you?
Joe E Galea
Feb 2nd 2010, 11:50
Robert Musumeci the architect who said that there was nothing wrong in the rape of Bahrija Valley by PN Candidate (and ex-PN president)...Zammit.
Anthony Farrugia
Feb 2nd 2010, 11:49
L Galea@:What plot ! Have you seen the pics and read the story of his shenanigans ! And yet not a peep out of him ! If he was a private person he could do what he likes, obviously within the law but he is mayor of Siggiewi and wannabe MP instead of John Dalli so his private/public life should be up for scrutiny by all. And what about columnists keeping their place: are you suggesting a gagging order? .This is 2010 and not the 1971 - 1987 era of shame.
L.Galea
Feb 2nd 2010, 11:18
Musumeci should defy the plot that is up against him and contest.
And columnists should keep their place.
Anthony Farrugia
Feb 2nd 2010, 10:48
Charles Sammut @: Oh, but the reasons are other, he tried to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.
Charles Sammut
Feb 2nd 2010, 10:40
You cannot blame Robert Musumeci for being reluctant to join a sinking ship. On the other hand he could be instrumental in putting GonziPN out of its misery for the benefit of all involved.
Anthony Farrugia
Feb 2nd 2010, 10:26
The word on the streets and in the coffeeshops of Valletta is that Robert Musumeci is out of the bye-election race. Can anybody out there confirm ?