Update 3: Franco Debono insists he will abstain
Executive recommends Nationalist MPs to vote against Labour's motion
Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas
Nationalist MP Franco Debono said this evening he will be abstaining in tomorrow's vote of no confidence in Transport Minister Austin Gatt.
He told timesofmalta.com: "I will not be an accomplice with those who will make a mockery of democracy and I will abstain."
Dr Debono was contacted following a meeting of the PN's executive this evening, which he did not attend.
The meeting, at the party's headquarters in Pieta, lasted under an hour.
The executive unanimously approved a motion stating that Nationalist MPs should all vote against the Opposition's motion.
It recognised the need for the reform and acknowledged that more needed to be done for the people's expectations to be met.
Dr Gonzi said that during the executive's meeting last Monday, Dr Debono was given possibility to propose an amendment to Opposition’s motion. This avenue had not yet been exhausted and remained open until tomorrow.
Asked what would happen if Dr Debono voted in favour of the motion or abstained, Dr Gonzi said he did not want to speculate. The government, he said, would be making constructive arguments throughout the debate.
Asked whether he considered the motion to be a vote of confidence in the government, Dr Gonzi said this was an important reform which had been promised in the PN's electoral manifesto. The decision had been taken by government and his government had pushed for it to happen.
Dr Gatt would not comment.
Dr Debono has been allocated five minutes to speak during the debate on the motion, moved by the Opposition. The debate starts at 9 a.m. and the vote is expected to be taken at 8 p.m.
The motion approved by the PN's executive tonight can be read in the pdf link below.
Attached files
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John Zammit
Nov 4th 2011, 14:39
IF and still a big IF Dr Debono persists in not voting he will not topple the government as the motion is against a particular Minister Dr Debono is right in what he is doing as the people who voted for him are the worst affected even with the new introduction next Monday as we will see in a month time (not four)
Alfred Fenech
Nov 8th 2011, 14:01
Threaten to cross over to night. ... Then they will listen,
MD Fenech
Nov 4th 2011, 13:46
Jien ma naqbilx li Dr Gatt ghandu jirrizenja.
Imma naqbel li z-zieda li tawh (Eur500 fil-gimgha) iwaqqfuhielu biex taghmel tajjeb ghal hela ta' flus li nefaq il-gvern f'konsulenzi ghal xejn.
Jean Cortis
Nov 4th 2011, 13:44
It seems that Dr Debono, is the one (from the Government side) that at this point in time, is on the majority (Maltese Citizens) side. I wish that he was on the same side, when the 500Euro was being introduced to the wages of the members of parliament.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 4th 2011, 13:34
Dr. Gonzi still has a way out to save his face from a negative result in the division tonight. Austin Gatt has already declared that if the PL’s motion falls only with the Speakers casting vote he would still resign. I think that if Dr. Gatt opts for a resignation before division time the motion would not require a vote as his resignation will null the motion. Not so sure about this.
Rachel Borg
Nov 4th 2011, 13:06
Debono abstains and he will make Muscat a very happy man.
Daniela Camilleri
Nov 4th 2011, 13:03
Tonight Joseph Muscat will win over Franco Debono - unless Dr. Debono, an intelligent young man, will change his position and vote against the PL's motion. I'm confident he will.
George Azzopardi
Nov 4th 2011, 15:41
I'm sure you did not hear Dr.Debono speak in parliament today! Well, I was hearing part of the his speech and I was wondering whether he was part of the PN side or PL's
fredu debono
Nov 4th 2011, 10:53
nispera li elezzjoni ohra ma narakx fil-parlament., la ma taqbilx mal-partit u taghmel l-intoppi mela ma haqqekx tkun parti mill-partit, nazzjonalisti aqbzuh halli jkollna biss nazzjonalisti puri,
Mr Aaron Sammut
Nov 4th 2011, 09:32
The Circus is back in Town!!!!
Lots of Bla bla bla...... we go to the vote, Franco Debono abstains and the Speaker votes against the opposition's bill. What a waste of precious time. Shouldn't you spend this morning debating on something more constructive?
Franco, do you think that with abstaining you're going to gain something?
If you really have Malta's interest at heart, vote in favour of the resolution, otherwise you're just being a time waster!!!!
John Caruana
Nov 4th 2011, 09:32
No Dr Debono should not resign. Those highly paid people who messed it up should be asked to resign. Had these people been in another european country they would have been sacked ythere and then. And what about the 400000 Euros spent on consultancy which resulted in this mess? The famous consultants should apologize and return the high fees they were paid to the people.
Mr Carlo Buttigieg
Nov 4th 2011, 09:22
How can people not see that this is a personal attack from all sides on Dr Gatt. On one side you have the PL who want to get rid of their biggest threat. He has always been the PL's nemesis and they know it. On the other side you have Dr Franco Debono, who in his quest for being in the headlines has fallen for the PL's plot to get rid of Dr Gatt. The only good job that Dr Debono is doing is in making sure that his political career is finished. No party will accept him in their midst when they know that he will pull his own rope when the time is right for his own benefit.
Yes I agree that Dr Gatt is sometimes arrogant and bulldozes through some situations but one thing that cannot be denied is that he is an achiever. You cannot achieve things by being on the back bench and critisising everything that goes on. Unfortunately Arriva was one of his plans that went seriously wrong.
Mario Busuttil
Nov 4th 2011, 09:14
Dr Frank Debono,kiieku inkun minnek inhalli f'idejn il poplu dwar kif ser jivvota ghal kandidati fl elezzjoni li jmiss u mhux nastjeni fuq mozzjoni ta rizenja .Kull kumitat li jezisti jista ma jkunx hemm qbil bejn membri ,f'dan ir rigward nahseb li ma hemmx qbil bejnek u Dr Austin Gatt. Imma jiena nemmen wahda li ghalkemm kull minn qieghed fil parlament ghandu josserva li jittiehdu decizzjonijiet dejjem favur il htiega tal poplu u 'b'hekk nistaw nimxu il quddiem. Jekk dejjem il htiega tal poplu ma tintlehaqx ,,,nassigurak li fl-elezzjoni li jmiss il poplu ser ikun il gudukant tal kull membru li hemm fil-parlament ezistenti illum.Fil fehema tieghi Il Ministru tat Transport Pubbliku ma ghandux jirrizenja imma ghandu jiehu il-passi kolla necessarji ta kull minn kien involut fis sistema tat tqassim tat- toroq il godda u jara li jekk fallew ,dawn ghandhom jirrispondu ghal ghemilhom u ngal lihom jirrezinjaw.
Brian Gatt
Nov 4th 2011, 09:08
As usual PN is not listening to the people, they are arrogant and think they are untouchables, they are forming a protective shield around the chosen few.........If there is no majority in the house on the first vote tonight and the speaker will have to cast the vote I hope that the PM will do the honorable thing and dismiss the parlament and calls an election, even though this is not a decisive vote he must understand that he dosent have the trust of his team anymore.
Nathalie Gilford
Nov 4th 2011, 08:42
Nies bhal Franco Debono biss jistghu jgibu il-pajjiz il-quddiem, iharsu l-interess tac=cittadin qabel l-interessi taghhom. Nie bis-sinsla!!! Zgur li bhal Franco Debono ghandna hafna aktar minnhom fil-parlament miz-zewg nahat tal-kamra. Prosit Dr. Debono
Mr James Rizzo
Nov 4th 2011, 08:33
PBO l-ghar segretarju generali fl-istroja tal-pn
keith chetcuti
Nov 4th 2011, 08:33
id deputati tal lum ma ghadhomx bhall qabel biss franco hareg bis sahha tal pn u irid joqghod ghal dak li jajdlu il partit nazzjonalista il pajjiz ma jiflahx ghal dawn il buzulloti iktar bhal franco u bhal jpo ghax ma jihdux xi ministeru joqdu jeddu u il pn ma haqqux ek wara dak kollu li ghamel ghal malta man ridux ninsew l imghoddi u pl ek jerga igibna bhall snin 70-80 zmien il wahx .
j brincat
Nov 4th 2011, 08:30
@lilly vella
"lejl twil ghal istrategisti tal pn. x se jivvintaw ghada tghid? , jergaw jivvintaw xi justinata?"
They excel in these things!
(jb)
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Nov 4th 2011, 08:29
Mintoff kien jghid li ma' jaghmilx zbalji dawk biss li ma' jaghmlu xejn.
X'ghandi nifhem biha din?
Ruma ma' nbiedx f'gurnata wahda u min haseb li t-trasport kien ser jimxi helu-helu mill-ewwel gurnata kien qed iqarraq bih innifsu. It trasport irid mill-anqas sena biex jimxi sew.
Ma' hawn hadd li jiftakar it tibdil li sar fis-70ijiet meta inbidlet is-sistema antika ghal wahda to ko-operattiva nazzjonali? Dak iz-zmien kien hemm problemi ukoll izda hadd ma' rrizenja ghax in nies accettat fehmitha u ma' kienitx tistenna daqs kemm qed tistenna illum il-gurnata.
MIntoff used to say that only those who never do anything are likely to never make a mistake.
What am I to understand by that?
Rome was not built in a day and onyone who expected it to be hunky-dory from day one was quite simply kidding himself. Public transport operation will take at least a year to settle down.
Is there nobody still around who remembers the changes of the 70s when the independent route system was changed toa national co-operative one? There were problems then also but nobody resign because the people took it in their stride and did not expect as much as they do today.
pat muscat
Nov 4th 2011, 08:27
How much is enough in this ongoing farce? Whilst the Greeks excel at drama GonziPN is best in comedy. One act after an other, and he has not the decency to resign? GonziPN's fracas have become a national joke and a laughingstock of all the Europeans who live here!
godwin difesa
Nov 4th 2011, 11:27
Thank god we have an actor like Gonzi i have to imagine if this farce as you sad was the opposite the person
who is taken the motion against his party what will happen to him.The only joke is this Austin had the guts to try change something which was a burden for all the country with all smoke coming out of the old busses
the way they use to drive the arrogance of some drivers the parking in putiral Valletta and many more.At least we who not use the buss about 75% of the people are already 100% better what ever is the out come.The other 25% of the people who use the buses not all are not happy with the system but hope that from next week the big percentage will be satisfied.The Europeans will not laugh at us but they are jealous of us the way of our living.At least the problem we are discussing in Malta not about bailing out our economy but about the public transport which i agree that it have importance as well of some people.No problem it is not going to be like 1998 rest your mind as the PN unfortunately is the only party who can run this country the pity is that for many people like me there is no alternative for the PN.
Joseph Scicluna
Nov 4th 2011, 11:47
Gonzipn ishas proved to be the best in Europe. The Europeans living here are escaping from the fracas of their countries. So shut up!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 4th 2011, 08:21
Dr Franco Debono has some very weird ideas about loyalty to the constitution, to his conscience, to the Nationalist Party, to his constituents and to parliamentary democracy.
He was elected to parliament specifically to promote the Nationalist Party electoral promise (translated from Maltese):
“to strengthen the public transport sector so that it would be useful to every Maltese citizen and tourist by increasing the public transport connections directly between different towns without having to enter Valletta”
Bitter experience has shown that implementing the promise precisely as specified in the electoral manifesto is causing grave discontent. It has become necessary for every MP, and especially NP ones, to co-operate with the responsible Minister to iron out those difficulties and to provide a compromise solution in the interest of the traveling public.
It is disloyal and irresponsible for an NP member of parliament to ally himself with the parliamentary opposition, to throw spanners in the wheels of government and to connive with a demand in its demand for the resignation of the Minister who is sedulously seeking to serve the public with a progressively increasing measure of success.
j brincat
Nov 4th 2011, 08:14
"Executive recommends Nationalist MPs to vote against Labour's motion" MEANS a vote against the wish of the majority of the people whom Parliament is supposed to represent them.
Quote:"Dr Gonzi said this was an important reform which had been promised in the PN's electoral manifesto"
The PN promised so many other promises which remained on the shelf, so why the fuss about this promise which at the end of the day turned out to be a complete fiasco? It would simply have meant another promise not honoured like , for example, the solemn promise to reduce income tax and which would have meant more money in the pockets of the people.
(jb)
Joe Farrugia
Nov 4th 2011, 08:11
Dr. Franco Debono mhux se jivota ghax huwa jrid jaqdi lil kostitwenti tieghu. Ghatu lura servizz tajjeb lin nies tal gudja u ghaxaq mhux maniex servizz ta tal linja tajjeb. Mhux b' mini bus trid taqdi nies kollha. Dahk fil wicc basta nfahru serviz.
Joseph Galea
Nov 4th 2011, 08:06
The Eurozone is facing an economic challenge of unprecedented proportions; flooding in Thailand is threatening the livelihood of thousands of people; large parts of Africa face starvation; and here in Malta some of our politicians have nothing better to do than force our parliament to discuss the bus service to score cheap political points. How can we as a nation be so petty?
Anthony Pace
Nov 4th 2011, 07:57
A defiance to the autocratic manner in which the country is run is needed.
We have lost all sense of values to society.
Gonzi should prepare for an election in the near future and the possibility of defeat and ten years in opposition. He should also resign from leader.
Paul Camilleri
Nov 4th 2011, 07:48
Min jaf kemm jixtiequ il-pajjizi tal-ewropa li l-problemi li ghandhom ikunu problemi bhall tal-arriva.Franco,tkomplix tghamel bhat-tfal tan-nuna u ssabbat saqajk mal-art,il-bidliet qed isiru u nisperaw li jghatu l-frott.Verament jista jkun li messhom saru qabel imma x'hemm isbah milli wiehed jgharaf id-difetti u jirranga.Certament li hawn min ghandu l-agenda tieghu........the end justifies the means.....u bhalissa qed jghorok idejh u jghoxa jittama.........
Joe Farrugia
Nov 4th 2011, 12:06
Skuzi Sur Paul Camilleri nahseb int mhux qed tejx hawn malta ghax f'dan il-pajjiz hawn hafna aktar problemi min dik ta l-arriva.
Wenzu Fsadni
Nov 4th 2011, 07:48
Lawrence Gonzi & co.s Democracy practices....
Lesson 1 - In Case someone disagrees with you.
Problem: If someone, or an entity, disagrees with you:
Solution: Destroy him/it.
Examples one may follow: Franco Debono, Cyrus Engerer, Unions protesting against cost of living, Pro Divorce lobbyists and many more
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 4th 2011, 07:47
Franco Debono said that he will be abstaining in today's vote of no confidence. Quote:-
"I will not be an accomplice with those who will make a mockery of democracy and I will abstain." Unquote.
OK fine,so how can he vote 'yes' in a vote of confidence if presented a few days from today when his colleagues are making a mockery out of democracy? Because he said he would
raymond scicluna
Nov 4th 2011, 07:43
"Nobody is greater than the party", "Loyalty to the party for ten years" and mud slinging campaign against minister Dr Austin Gatt for his alleged Arrogance. These words and statements were written every day very recently on his facebook wall and guess what this time round rather than opting for a drink in Valletta bar during an important parliamentary motion, yesterday he unattended the Pn executive meeting, which was purposely set up for him taking to task ministers, prime minister, back benchers and pn executives for a ride. If this is not pure Arrogance, pl enlighten me further. Well this is a lesson for all the new generation of politics! Better the devil you know......
G Schembri
Nov 4th 2011, 07:33
Ilejla kulhadd ghal fejn il-funtana tat-Tritoni, fis-sitta ta' filghaxija. All those who want to protest against the bad implimentation of the new Transport system should join this evening's protest we shall meet near the triton fountain at 6 pm. Stop your grumbling and stand up to be counted.
Charlie Borg
Nov 4th 2011, 07:18
I lost all hope for the PN, as they lost touch of what raelly matters, the people, for the 500 euros raise that some of the members of parliament took, they did not object, now the only thing we have is our vote.
A. Mizzi
Nov 4th 2011, 07:18
That is STANDING UP and being the People's voice, the electorate's voice by abstaining and voting in tomorrow's vote of no confidence in Transport Minister Austin Gatt !
G Sciberras
Nov 4th 2011, 06:43
bondi plus o rminus ... la austin gatt u anqas franco debono ma accettaw li jattendu ... il farsa tkompli ,,,att nru 3 fil parlament .....
li kont jien illum l MP s immuru il belt b tal linja ...the proof of the pudina is in the eating ...kulhadd fil hin jasal
steve Micallef
Nov 4th 2011, 06:34
after 25yr its time for new blood, new way of thinking, new faces, dictatorship just does not work! power is a funny thing and does funny things to silly men it clouds there judgement, it turns the brave in to wicked old men. power is like the Ring in lord of the rings. . . . .
It takes a brave a strong man to stand alone against the many. Although I do believe that Gozi did do some good,, but its time and he should exit peacefully not tear the country up like this and leave behind him a disaster he should just call a peaceful election.
But then again there just politicians not real men so let the Game's begin......
PEACE!!!
albert pace
Nov 4th 2011, 06:12
Arriva, Smart City, New Power station, Valletta project- do I have to go on? Cant he see that he is wasting the taxpayer's money|? Can't he see that his time is over as he has nothing more to contribute to the nation and is just dead weight.
Noel Mifsud
Nov 4th 2011, 05:11
Sur Gonzi lanqas taf x inhi l kelma demokirazija, veru wedt politika gdida meta lhaqt ghax mort aghar mis snin 1981 1986. Kif ma tirrejalizzax li qed taqa ghac cajt mal poplu, il paris tieghi sejjah elezzjoni, u kif j alla se jigri ma titlax, tergax tikkontesta ghal mexxej, ghax urejt li m initx kapaci tmexxi partit ahseb u ara gvern.
Charles Micallef
Nov 4th 2011, 02:26
The PM said that the mighty cock up and and costly cock up (€53 million) is the fruit of the PN.
Well done PN and the PM forgot to mention that this aprticular fruit has gone rotten to the core!
Victor Baldacchino
Nov 4th 2011, 01:08
Forsi hemm xi emails ghadejjin u hadd ma induna bihom ??????????????????????
Joseph Sammut
Nov 4th 2011, 00:43
Minister Gatt had the guts to change something that has been there for ages and was getting worse every year and to remove the seemingly untouchable bus drivers. Granted that new system is still not functioning properly but changes are constantly being made to it.. Franco Debono does not even have the guts to attend a parliamentary group meeting!!
And what is Franco Debono's track record? has he ever done something of note? a valid suggestion? input in some project? or is he just someone that just likes the sound of his own voice?
Philip Hili
Nov 4th 2011, 00:41
Tghid hemm xi id interna mohbija wara din il-farsa??
Mark Brincat
Nov 4th 2011, 00:21
L-ispeaker ser jivvota favur u din kollha ha tintesa. Ghalxejn il-hype -_-
Mario Grima
Nov 4th 2011, 00:05
Just saw Bondi+ which discussed the PL's motion on the transport fracas While Owen Bonnici was calm and composed, Paul Borg Olivier looked like a nervous wreck. Poor guy, he was sent by his PM to defend the cabinet on their transport 'froga'. He just repeated what the PM said in the executive committee. They could have well sent a 'parrot', at least he would not have looked like a zombie.
Stephen Florian
Nov 4th 2011, 00:00
Julius Ceaser part duex...?
Mark Piscopo
Nov 3rd 2011, 23:33
Il- bierah sirna nafu mill- parlament li l-Ministru Austin Gatt qabbad 9 chief officers biex jikkordinaw is- sistema tal- Arriva. Il pagi tagħhom ivarjaw min €34,000 għal € 64,000 kull wiehed, apparti l-perkacci li għandhom fosthom internet bxejn, performance bonuses, karrozza, fuel,mobile b’xejn etc. Is-sistema falliet fejn ħafna nies qegħdin jbatu u qiegħed jkun kemm traffic enormi fit-toroq għalhekk id-deputati nazzjonalisti għandhom jivvutaw favur il-mozzjoni tal-opposizzjoni fejn titlob għar-rizenja ta’Austin Gatt. Jekk id-deputati nazzjonalisti jivvutaw kontra l-mozzjoni qegħdin jivvutaw kontra l-poplu u jiggustifikaw dan id-diżastru totali.
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Nov 3rd 2011, 23:19
Every decent nationalist tomorrow should not go to parliament. Gonzi is an insult to democracy
Paul Pace
Nov 3rd 2011, 23:19
Whether or not the Minister made a mess out of the reform, one thing is for sure....he and the Government had the courage to carry out the reform. Easier said than done!! Let's face it...who out of the whole bunch of MPs had practical experience of carrying out such a massive reform?
Mario Schembri
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:54
Franco, nobody is bigger than the Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You should be a man and declare that you no longer feel comfortable in the Nationalist Party
and resign, there are plenty of good people willing to fill your seat and stick to party lines.
We are sick of seeing the likes of you taking personal issues to such length.
This country has better issues to discuss and the Party needs to keep moving forward as it has been doing.
Mauro Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:38
Mr. Galea,
I think you should look up the word "coward'' in a dictionary! I think he is everything but a coward.
Mr Joseph Huber
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:33
The way you are behaving is not gaining you any sympathies. It seems you are aiming high Dr Debono but remember that those who think they have attained great heights always suffer the worst falls!!!! With your antics your place fits better in a populistic movemement and there is no need to shop around much to find one at an arm's length!!!
Anthony Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:31
Will Franco Debono honour his electors with an appearance in parliament tomorrow ? After all on past performance, he will do a runner !
A Dimech
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:08
May I ask? who else did not attend the meeting? was Franco the onl MP who did not attend? can the Times tell us please?
Mr Joe Micallef
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:07
Owen Bonnici on Bondi+. To a comment by CEO of Arriva that the Transport reform will in the end provide what it was intended to, Bonnic said all he is interested in is what will become of Austin Gatt tomorrow. Now isn't that the mettle of a fine politician!
A Dimech
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:06
At this point even if PN masters a majority in parliament without the need of the Speaker to cast his vote - I believe the damage has been done and people lost TOTAL credibility in this government.
Time for an election!
Joseph G. Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:49
Franco should resign from the party. Nobody needs such a coward. He should either vote for the motion or against. Only cowards abstain.
Mario allison
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:00
cowards are those mp's who are dying to back franco but are terrified of what would happen to them from their democratic holier than thou religio et patria party
Josephine Debono
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:14
a nahsibix bhalek. Le Franco mhux coward... Hu bniedem ta principju. U nghidlu biex jastjeni. Hemm differenza bejn tivvota favur, tivvota kontra jew tastjeni.
Paul Portelli
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:26
Franco shoould resign?
Franco is showing us how to win the next election .come on lets take our heads out of the sand
James Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:46
You can call Franco Debono a lot of things if you want. A traitor or a hero, according to your own personal perspective yes. Opportunist or genuine again according to your perpective as well. But a coward? A coward when he has all the PN bigwigs against him and when he knows that his political future maybe on the line. A coward he definetely he is not. I would call cowards only those who in the anonymity of their homes admit that the transport situation is leaving a lot to be desired and because of party allegiance as against solidarity with the general public will remain mum.
Joe Spiteri Gauci
Nov 3rd 2011, 23:13
Resign from the party .... for what reason??? We need people like him in parliament. Look what JPO had did .... he humiliated Lawrence Gonzi during the divorce referendum campagne. We elected people in parliament to safeguard our interests and no more and no less. After all they are spending millions of euros from our money and without getting a good service .... is this that you want?????
Joe Fenech
Nov 4th 2011, 00:33
Coward??????? That abstention is precious.
One person has at last understood what democracy is all about! The other lemmings - tough!
G Schembri
Nov 4th 2011, 01:03
Franco is no coward. Franco gave the last election on a silver plate to the PN. In case you weren't following people who were tired to the PN voted for Franco, thinking he will change the PN. Franco has no choice but to abstain - since someone has to voice his voters problems. The electorate wants the resignation of the Minister responsable for the misery and discomfort the present transport system has created. So be it. If this is a true democracy Dr Gonzi would ask for Dr Gatt's resignation.
Joseph Calleja
Nov 4th 2011, 02:58
I agree.
David Magro
Nov 4th 2011, 05:52
Mr.Galea, are you accomodated by Arriva ? We need politicians who represent us to stand up and fight for what we elected them for. Iz-zmien tan-nghag ta bendu spicca! Prosit Franco
John Mifsud
Nov 4th 2011, 06:40
I think that we are living in two different planets. Dr Austin Gatt is the one who should shoulder the responsibility for the farce and 'froga' in the public transport, and at the same time save his party from all this hassle.
Remember the HYPE before the transport reform? Just imagine if the reform was a success. Who do you think would have occupied the front rows to get all the applause? I can imagine at least three gentlemen who would have fought to occupy the front chairs......
Malta is in urgent need for more people like Dr Franco Debono. People who are not the type to glue themselves to the seat of power at all cost.
I expect Dr Lawrence Gonzi to call it a day, whatever the outcome of tonight's vote in parliament. This is a government which is running these Islands day by day on a management by crisis policy. A true leader acts otherwise.
In my humble opinion, Dr Lawrence Gonzi is a leader of a coalition within his own party.
Mr Galea, I almost agree with your last three words, but I would rephrase them as 'Only Cowards Do Not Resign'.
G Sciberras
Nov 4th 2011, 06:59
coward min
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 4th 2011, 07:45
Joseph,a man who stands up to be counted can hardly be called a coward.
a. xuereb
Nov 4th 2011, 07:47
a coward?????? u must be joking?
Mario Borg
Nov 4th 2011, 08:07
It is his right. This is called democracy. Very much different then Fascism and Dictorship.
Lawrence Fenech
Nov 4th 2011, 08:10
@Galea.
Cowards are those who have no guts to vote for democracy something most of GonziPN do not know what it means.
Charlene Bonnici
Nov 4th 2011, 08:21
Cowards are the ones who hide behind others!!!! Keep it up Franco!!!!!
Louis Craus
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:47
Austin. Leave, your time is expired.
Wilfred Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:46
This is simply a political sitcom! Even if a majority in parliament vote in favour of the no-confidence motion, the minister does not have to resign unless the Orime Minister asks him to resign. If the electorate do not want Dr. Gatt to represent them, they get a chance to do so come the next election, if he decides to run for office again that is. Since this is not a budget issue, it has no real impact on the government's ability to continue governing, regardless of how many PL supporters wish to have an election sooner rather than later!
This is another one of those misguided PL moves. I was a supporter of the PL during Mintoff's tenure but since then, the party has become a Partit tal-Mickey Mouse!
G Schembri
Nov 4th 2011, 07:29
Partit tal-Mickey Mouse would be the party who is costing us thousands of euro just to remain in government. This situation has already happened before, to appease the backbenchers Dr Gonzi gave them a new position as Ministers' aids - nobody has told us how much this is costing the tax payer. Where you a supporter of MLP when it was considered an undemocratic Regime? What a coincidence, PN is now being considered as such.
Ms Xaxa Caruana
Nov 4th 2011, 08:31
X'ghandu 'jaqsam dak li qed tghid int? Din il-mozzjoni saret minhabba it tgerfix kbir li sar fit trasport pubbliku u mhux biex jaqa il gvern,ghax sa fejn naf jien mhux nies tal PL biss juzaw l-arriva, so il kumment tieghek hu ftit bla sens.
Ifhem jekk il PL partit tal MM..AHSEB U ARA IL PN X'PARTIT HU, TGERFIX U GLIED BEJNITKHOM, MHUX IMBILLI WARA LI JILTAQU IL PIETA' JOHORGU JITBISSMU !!!! Kun reali siehbi u qabel ma tajjar bit trab f'ghajneja , hares ftit lejn it travu li ghandek f'ghajnejk!!!!
On the bright side pero, Austin Gatt ghandu ghalix ikun proud, dis-sena go Malta bis sahha tieghu inkisru 3 records li ha jinkitbu fil book of records, hemm ta Mqabba ghal ikbar raddina li ghamli, il Qriema ghal ikbar ftira , u last but not least Austin Gatt ghal ikbar froga li qatt saret, l-ingridjenti li uza, huma, arriva busses, transport malta u poplu malti!!
Mr Mark Cutajar
Nov 4th 2011, 08:54
Can you explain how come you said it is not a budget issue? wasthe transport reform free of charge? do you knom all the millions we paid ffrom our taxes to get a proper public transport system and to stop all the buzulotti. I think your idea of Mickey Mouse is no blared that you cannot distinguish between whats in the public interest and in your own personal interest.
Schembri Ray
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:36
I think a snap election is on the way!
Anthony Mifsud Bonnici Giordani
Nov 4th 2011, 04:53
Knowing the pN they would not give in. Instead they will see to invent more projects that will render them the money needed to fight the next elections with propaganda that can deceive the electorate. Capitalists can't stand the working class leaders (PL) in power.
Paul Giordimaina
Nov 4th 2011, 07:45
kjeep on dreaming mate
Patrick Zammit
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:31
He must have decided to go by bus and missed the meeting because the bus didn't turn up...
S Bonnici
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:53
Probably you're right as he's from Ghaxaq - and they don't even have a bus there!!!!!!
Dione Pace
Nov 4th 2011, 17:38
Lovely!
lilly vella
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:28
lejl twil ghal istrategisti tal pn. x se jivvintaw ghada tghid? , jergaw jivvintaw xi justinata?
A Cardona
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:24
"Executive recommends Nationalist MPs to vote against Labour's motion"..... so in other words the executive is not finding any problems whatsoever from the 3rd July till now. The ones responsible should not be blamed at all??? IF so then return the money squandered to the coffers!
I wonder for what reasons are MPs elected.... the people? THEIR PARTY? OR THEIR POCKETS???????
Apparently for the executive... what is right is right and what is wrong is right!
Hypocrisy at its best!
Carmel Cilia
Nov 4th 2011, 05:56
Not hypocrisy but dictatorship at its best siehbi.
Paul Giordimaina
Nov 4th 2011, 07:47
Mr Cardona your party never got the guts to do a public transport.austin have o lot of gots
albert pace
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:21
Democracy at its best a la Gonzi
Carmel Zammit
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:20
What kind of democracy does Gonzipn believe in? How democratic is it for the party secretary or the Gonzipn executive to decide how the PEOPLE'S representatives should vote in Parliament? A few weeks back Gonzi Prime Minister felt that the PEOPLE'S representatives are entitled to vote according to their conscience. This time round the party is imposing its views on the PN representatives. How fair is this? When will PN stop this oppression on the electorate?
Louis Muscat
Nov 4th 2011, 04:00
Don't make me laugh, as if the PL every give a free vote
Chris Vella
Nov 4th 2011, 04:49
agree 100% with you
David Caruana
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:17
One can only imagine what must be happening behind the scenes, by both sides of the room.
It's true that these sessions should be televised. They'd surely place first for Best Drama. Or is it Comedy?
C. Muscat
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:11
X'tisthajlek Franco? Forsi tibdel ismek ghal Duminku!!LOL
Anthony Mifsud Bonnici Giordani
Nov 4th 2011, 04:48
@ C. Muscat. In the 70's, the world leaders eventually had to give in to Mintoff's demands. No one can compare Dr.Debono with the greatest Maltese statesman that ever existed. If Dr. Debono changes his name to Duminku would be an honorable achievement for himself, not like the Nationalist party changing the name to GonziPN. Never seen the PN so low in public esteem.
Robert Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:09
U ejja big Brother niccajta ma Francesca. Nafha il-Francesca x'aktarx din miz-zejtun. Tihodha cajta.
Mark Cassar
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:05
Tomorrow Dr Debono will give Muscat a bitter surprise
Daniela Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:03
Dr Debono will not let Joseph Muscat, his old class m,ate, to win - he (dr debono) is intelligent enough to go and vote against the opposition motion. In doing so he will not loose face. Thanks to him significant changes have been made in public transport - now things will continue to improve. I trust, as a Nationalist voter in Dr Debono's district, that Dr Debono will not give Muscat an easy win.
maria aquilina
Nov 4th 2011, 00:03
Dr.Debono cannot vote against the motion.Up to now the transport system has not improved,so he cannot vote in favour of the system.If he votes against he will go against what he said earlier and will never be beleived again. This is not a vote in favour of the labour party but a vote in favour of us ,thecommuters.Someone must stand for us .
Mr Alfred Grima
Nov 4th 2011, 00:21
Wish full thinking dear Daniela from the 5th District.....................Sic.............
leo briffa
Nov 4th 2011, 03:41
I though Malta was greater than the PN, MLP, Alternativa, Church...or any other individual.
Aaron Vella
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:01
Dr. Debono, Illum qed tidher stilla imma ftakar li HADD mhu ikbar mill-Partit!
Mario allison
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:05
The democracy that dr fenech adami fought for all those years so that people like can write what they like without being shot at or tortured at the police depot .democracy is far bigger than this once glorious party
Charles Micallef
Nov 3rd 2011, 23:29
Dr. Debono, Illum qed tidher stilla imma ftakar li HADD mhu ikbar mill-Partit!
How true, as it is the party who runs this country and
not the Cabinet and all this in the name of democracy!
leo briffa
Nov 4th 2011, 03:43
Hsibt li hadd ma hu ikbar minn Malta mhux mill-Partit
Carmel Cilia
Nov 4th 2011, 05:53
Aaron kemm sejjer zball habib: il-pajjiz ghandu jkun aqwa u fuq kollox. Issa qieghed johrog bic car anke min kliemek li ghan nazzjonalisti il-partit(voldieri ego sum) jigi l-ewwel u qabel kollox. Mhux tal-misthija jew.
Brian Gatt
Nov 4th 2011, 09:25
Instead of thanking God that someone from your party is doing something he was elected in parliament - defending the People's interests - people like you condemn him instead of the supposedly superior Party,
If you PN people as sadomasochists, the rest of us are not and we don’t like being treated like garbage and most of all we will not thank and applaud the Buggers who are continuously disrespecting us.
So I hope that Dr Debono really sticks to his word …….
Steve Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:57
If Franco Debono wasn't an egomaniac and didn't have a history of tantrums I would have almost believed his initiative. But I'm afraid it doesn't wash. In his attempt to clog the headlines, he has ruined his political career... and more.
Mr Emanuel Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:55
Sajjetti u sajjetti ghandna, imma.............................
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
albert pace
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:54
Why should agostino leave? It is not his fault. He clearly explained that the maltese people were too stupid to understand his avant garde transport system. This point was also pointed out by tonio when he wanted to choose a CEO for Air Malta.. He did not want a ''cuc malti ''. There you have it. The result of all this mess is according to the gonzipn the lack og inteliigence of the maltese.
Jurgen Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:54
Good Franco Keep it up. Hopefully in the next election you wont be on the PN ticket because certainly we don't need criers for votes but leaders. PL will accept you with open doors and joseph Muscat will tell you he loves you, like he said to the rest of us. Arrivedervi Franco!!!
FRANS H SAID
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:52
I suggest that the readers will go into the pdf file and enjoy the joke.
Instyead of admitting a fiasco, they keep on insisting that they are always right and the public is wrong.
Arrogance at its best (or worst)
And the Agostino wants to adhere to pwer with Gonzi shoring him up.
Even if they survive, elections are round the corner.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Nov 4th 2011, 00:33
Dr. Gonzi made ample clear that the transformation of the public transport was and still is according to the electoral p.rogramme. Whatever it takes the public will have this promise fullfilled and no matter how much you dislike the SUPREMO AUGUSTINO you still have to lump and swollow all your adjectives untill ARRIVA becomes a success. There is no point of return. Arriva has to be trimmed, fine tuned modified call it what you want untill there will be concensus by the public that the promise of reform in the public transport is fullfilled.
There will not be any resigantions of ministers or government. The PN will remain in office for the full turn and Dr. Debono will realise that he is not running the party. The electorate will never forget the turbulence he has created, which up to a certain extent proved how united the party is.
The PN managed to get admiration from the whole world with regards the international role in the Libya conflict. I am convinced that internal issues will never rock the party.
To day Dr. Debono abstained from being present at the HQ. tomorrow he will abstain in Parliament and then he has to face the consequences for his actions and lack of responsibility.
FRANS H SAID
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:46
Qutoe "was an important reform which had been promised in the PN's electoral manifesto." Unquote.
Why keep on twisting facts. The manifesto did not state that many loacalities will be without a service. That routes will round on a scenic tour. That you had spend an hour to change a bus. Manifistoes are writtin in an ambigous way and mean nothing, especially as each item is lost among the myriads of other vague promises.
If a manifesto was to be credible, people should be asked to vote on each item individually, but then the party would not be able to slip in the unsavoury with the teaspoonful of sugar.
Joseph N. Attard
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:46
There must be more than meets the eye here. Personal grudges? How low can a person sink to satisfy one's ego! Debono will have a lot to answer for. Will he be able toi live with it? To me it seems like a classic case of hara-kiri.
Philip Hili
Nov 4th 2011, 00:44
Mr Attard,
It seems that it is not the personal grudge only!! there is more than this and my be internally!!
Francesca Abela
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:43
PN MP'S who have the best interests of the country at heart should not even turn up for the vote tomorrow. Let Austin Gatt go and hopefully the current havoc wrought by Arriva will be improved under a New Minister who will ensure that the public get's what it wants, ie the old original routes back.
mario salnitro
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:42
One of the few nationalist members of parliament with guts well done Franco keep it up.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:22
I cannot agree more.
DAVID D. PACE
Nov 4th 2011, 00:52
me 2...keep it up Dr. Debono.
Tony Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:41
Was Mugliette present?
A Dimech
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:35
WHy doesn't Gatt re-offer his resignation and this time it is accepted? do they want to save the embarrasment?
The people wants him to resign and so does his party....
Carmel Serracino-inglott
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:54
no
FRANS H SAID
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:55
Because Gatt is so full of himself. We wanted to resign on the divorce issue but is still there. It is claimed that he wanted to resign because of the buses, but has the excuse that |Gonzi did not want him
Gatt does not need any permission. If he wants to resign he can send a letter to the Speaker and The President. - PERIOD
J Busuttil
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:09
You say so A.Dimech.
Austin Gatt musmar ghall PL no body in the PL has his guts.
PL are only interested in vote catching mela Arriva Arriva.
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 4th 2011, 09:19
@ J Busuttil
''Austin Gatt musmar ghall PL no body in the PL has his guts''
Sorry ta imma Austin Gatt musmar ghal pajjiz kollu. Saqqsi lil nies kommuni.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:33
Debono should not abstain. Instead he should turn up in parliament and vote in favour of the no confidence motion against Gatt. That will put the PN hierarchy in its place - as did the referendum on divorce. Better still, Gatt should divorce himself from the PN and resign from parliament.
Erin Ciantar
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:27
Dr. Debono should be ashamed of himself. While the rest of the world and Europe is in a state of panic with the financial crisis, in Malta, all we can talk about, is buses. Just goes to show how well this government has done. The rest of the world has young people protesting because they can't get jobs, and in Malta our young people shout at minister because of a bus running late. Ara vera pajjiz bla sens.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:36
Erin, I wonder whether you are suggesting that Maltese and Gozitans are simply too stupid to be able to talk about more than one subject? Criticising Arriva does not necessarily mean that you cannot talk about some other subject. Perhaps you have attended a different school to the one I went to. I bet you will not be voting for Muscat and the PL at the next election.
Alexander Brincat
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:37
Don't you see? It is not about busses. Quite simply, it is about leadership.
m farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:24
toqodx tikkoppa erin ghada dak ngeluh ingeluh jbiddel il fehma.
T Gauci
Nov 4th 2011, 00:34
Greece doesn't mean the rest of the world
Stephen Florian
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:24
Have some decency once in your political career and RESIGN !
Paul Portelli
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:19
The people outside wants you to go Dr gatt.
Carmel Serracino-inglott
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:00
No we want him to stay for the arriva mishap was a set up /. Do you think that we are stupid. it was a set up as usual and for the moment it only looks that it succeeded but wait and see. You cannot take any more with the progress this country is doing which will cost you yet another election. Play honestly and do not try to these tricks for only people who want LP or PL in power are being trapped by this dishonesty.
Reinhard Azzopardi
Nov 3rd 2011, 23:29
Tkellem ghalik Sur Portelli. A great number of people respect and admire Austin Gatt.
Mr Joe Micallef
Nov 4th 2011, 09:41
Who anointed you as the people Portelli?
C Azzopardi
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:18
'Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi arrived slightly light due to a previous appointment.'
Yea it's good to travel light, you save on petrol/diesel.
Paul Smith
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:16
He should have been embarrassed to show up. Any fair minded person would agree the game is up.
He came, he saw, he failed and now must go
R Vassallo
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:03
Do us all a favour.......go!
Ivan Cutajar
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:58
Dr Gatt arrived for the meeting on time - Off course he did not use ARRIVA
Anthony Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:12
Spot on Ivan!
B Attard
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:15
Like ....very much reasonable