PN limits confidence vote speakers - Franco Debono objects

Franco Debono has raised objections after the Nationalist Party decided yesterday that only the prime minister and the deputy prime minister will speak from the government side at this evening's confidence vote in Parliament.

PN parliamentary group whip David Agius confirmed on PBS this morning that a number of MPs had asked to speak, but it was decided that only Dr Gonzi and Dr Borg would speak from the government benches. 

Franco Debono last week abstained in a no-confidence vote in Transport Minister Austin Gatt, proposed by the Opposition, precipitating today's confidence debate. After Friday's vote, Dr Debono said he had himself proposed today's confidence debate, adding that he will back the government.

In comments to timesofmalta.com this morning, Dr Debono said last week's events showed why he needed to speak today.

He said that while the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister would be speaking for themselves and all those MPs who had voted against the no-confidence motion in Dr Gatt, they would not be speaking on his behalf since he had abstained.

Therefore, his position was different from that of the other Nationalist MPs and he needed to further explain his position, now with regards to the confidence vote. Furthermore, he had been the one to actually propose today's debate within the PN.

"Essentially my position is different from that of the other PN MPs since I was the only one who abstained on Friday, and since this confidence vote is a direct consequence of last Friday's vote," Dr Debono said.

Dr Debono said he still intends to back the government tonight.

The situation today bears similarities to the situation in 1998 when Dom Mintoff objected after the Labour parliamentary group had sought to limit his speaking time during the budget debate. Mr Mintoff had then spoken at length after having been given opposition time by then Opposition leader Eddie Fenech Adami.

Opposition whip Joe Mizzi said on PBS this morning that no one had requested time from the opposition, but he did not object to anyone speaking in Parliament.

Mr Agius said today's confidence vote is important to confirm that Malta has a stable government in a time of international economic turmoil as well as the uncertainty of developments in North Africa.

The debate will be held between 6 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.