Debono dismisses Gonzi’s solution
I will not support reforms ‘by Carm Mifsud Bonnici’
Nationalist MP Franco Debono has dismissed the Prime Minister’s plan to solve the “constitutional” crisis through a party executive meeting.
“This is a farce. The party core is obviously going to support its leader... But that won’t change anything.
“This is not a party issue. The President must decide,” he said, stressing that he would disregard the party’s decision, not least because political parties remain unregulated.
“Since we don’t have a party financing law I cannot even know what financial interests are at play behind the scenes,” Dr Debono, who drafted a Bill to regulate political parties, told The Times.
Dr Debono added that he had left the PN months ago, even though his resignation had not been formally accepted, so the party’s decision did not really affect him.
However, he said he still considered himself a Nationalist and was acting with a heavy heart because all he wanted to see was the strengthening of democracy in Malta. “I’m not doing this because of ambition. I was a rising star in the party. What I am doing is a sacrifice,” he said, acknowledging that he has now come to a point of no return.
On Friday, shortly after a Cabinet reshuffle was announced, Dr Debono declared he had lost confidence in the government. He insisted he would serve under anyone else but Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, plunging the government into its deepest political crisis yet and drastically increasing the likelihood of an early election.
Questioned about the motive for his reaction to the reshuffle, Dr Debono denied that it all boiled down to him not being given a ministry, saying instead that he was annoyed that certain ministers who were not delivering had been retained.
“I have been telling Dr Gonzi since July that I will not support any reforms on justice or home affairs by Carm Mifsud Bonnici because I feel he has the wrong attitude.”
Dr Gonzi removed the justice portfolio from Dr Mifsud Bonnici, satisfying Dr Debono’s demand to split the ministry. However, Dr Mifsud Bonnici retained home affairs, something which irked Dr Debono who remained sitting on the backbench.
Now, Dr Debono insisted, Dr Gonzi only had two options, to resign or call an election – something Dr Gonzi has said he wants to postpone till the end of the legislature. “How can he govern without the support of an MP?” Dr Debono asked, referring to the government’s one-seat majority.
The MP also said he would ignore a petition calling for his resignation from the fifth electoral district being pushed by mayor Pietru Pawl Busuttil (a PN hero who was framed for the murder of Raymond Caruana). “No, I will not resign. I have a lot of support from Nationalists in my district who are thanking me for defending their causes.”
He asked whether Mr Busuttil had presented petitions on the botched transport reform or the government’s plans to use heavy fuel oil in the new power station.
“And after what he went through I would have thought he would have started a petition to call for the resignation of the minister who postponed enacting the law giving access to a lawyer for suspects under interrogation.”
Asked if he had committed political suicide, Dr Debono said he did not see it that way.
Asked if he was prepared to remain an independent MP if the party executive decided to accept his resignation, Dr Debono said he would remain in Parliament.
Dr Debono stressed he would not contest the next election with the Labour Party or independently and will either focus on his legal office or emigrate if things came to a head.
He also dismissed people who questioned his state of mental health, and said he did not regret showing his report card to PBS news. “Dr Gonzi said I was being childish. I wanted to show that even as a child I took things seriously and I was a brilliant student.”
His disagreements with Dr Gonzi had long been coming and he was particularly annoyed at the Prime Minister’s decision to vote against divorce in Parliament despite the referendum and the way ministerial pay raises were awarded.
When challenged about the fact that he had only produced this criticism now (after the reshuffle), Dr Debono said he had made his positions clear internally.
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Edward Farrugia
Feb 1st 2012, 01:34
Dal bniedem li iggieb it-titolu ta' Dottore ma jafx x'irid. Dottore, ghax ma tmurx lejn l-Italja u thallina nghixu fil-kwiet u l-barka ta' dan Il-Gvern Jew inkella tisparixxi mix-xena lokali xorta wahda billi tmur ma siehbek tan-naha l-ohra ta l-istess eta tieghek (li ukoll ma jafx fejn hu sejjer), u toqoghdu tilaghbbu fuq xi zuntier ta' xi kniesja imwarba go rahal il-boghod minn ghajn in-nies u fejn ma taghtu fastidu lil hadd u thalluna nieghxu!
Mr Saviour Grech
Jan 9th 2012, 19:07
Nitlob id-Dipartiment tal-Kunsilli Lokali biex jiehu passi iebsa kontra s-Sindku Pietru Pawl Busuttil. Din il-petizzjoni ma tistax issir minn Sindku li jirrapprezenta n-nies tal-lokalità kollha, huma ta’ liema kulur huma. Il-Kunsill m’ghandux jintalab jiehu parti minn din il-loghba partigjana. Jekk il-PN irid jaghmel petizzjoni kontra Deputat tieghu stess ghandu l-kazin politiku tar-rahal tieghu biex jaghmilha u mhux ideffes ir-residenti kollha. Din hi kwistjoni ta’ Partit u mhux tal-lokal. Din il-petizzjoni qed titqis bhala nulla ghax hija kontra r-regolamenti tal-Kunsilli Lokali. Is-Sindku lanqas jaf x’inhu jaghmel biex involva lill-Kunsill u l-lokalità. Jidher car x’kienet l-intenzjoni tal-PN meta holoq il-Kunsilli Lokali. PARTIGJANIZMU SFRENAT.
Mr Stephen Borg
Jan 9th 2012, 22:45
Petition or not, the petition of the so called hero Pietru Pawl Busuttil is of no relevance because as time goes by it seems that the only way out is a premature election. The more I see Gonzi stressing that he is right the more I loose faith in him.
C Debono
Jan 9th 2012, 19:01
Jahmel sew Dr. Franco Debono jinjora l-petizzjoni tas-Sindku Pietru Pawl Busuttil. Dan is-Sindku jekk irid ikun kredibbli mar-residenti tieghu jmissu ghamel petizzjoni kontra l-estensjoni tal-power station ta’ Delimara li se tithaddem bil-heavy fuel oil, dettriment ghas-sahha tan-nies u mhux ikun partigjan jaghmel ‘petion’ kontra Deputat tieghu stess. Ara l-villagg ta’ Wied il-Ghajn kien gabar 'Petition kolossali ta’ 8,000 firma kontra l-bini mil gdid tal-impjant ghar-riciklagg ta’ Sant’ Antnin u l-arroganti Minisrtu George Pullicino gie jaqa’ u jqum minn kulhadd u lanqas biss ta’ kasha. Bl-istess kejl, allura issa din il-petizzjoni min se jaghti kasha?
Ahna r-residenti ta’ Hal Safi se nitolbu r-rizenja tas-Sindku Pietru Pawl Busittil talli qed ihallat il-hass mal-kabocci!!
James Tyrrell
Jan 9th 2012, 15:03
Lawrence Gonzi has been ignoring the wishes of the people for a long time now and no doubt he will continue to do so until the bitter end. At the moment he is acting like some third world dictator sending out thousands of SMS's ordering the party faithful to come out in a show of strength, which if you watch the video and look at the photographs was not exactly a show of strength. He has the ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat but it would mean sacrifice on his part which he is not prepared to make.
Ivan Scicluna
Jan 9th 2012, 14:43
Although I'm not particularly impressed with the way Franco Debono tacked this subject, I feel he is right at the end of the day. I am tired of hearing a large number of my fellow nationalists saying they will not vote or even vote Labour if Gonzi remains at the helm. I don't personally think it is a problem with the party but a problem with the leader. The best thing for Gonzi to do if he wants to give the nationalists a chance to win the next election is in my opinion to step aside in time and let the party build up to the elections with a new leader.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 9th 2012, 13:30
Dr Franco Debono is behaving as if he is suffering from an identity problem and that he is disoriented as to the persons who are the protagonsts in this drama.
It is up to the Prime Minster to decide for himself if and when to resign - not up to a frustrated backbencher with a chip on his shoulder like Dr Franco Debono.
It is up to the Prime Minister to recommend to the President that early elections be held - it is not up to a solitary backbencher like Dr Debono. He is not anywhere near being the present Prime Minister - or any future Prime Minister on his present performance.
Christian Sant
Jan 9th 2012, 12:42
wants austin gatt must resign because of arriva
wants the PM to resign because of the reshuffle
says he will work with everyone except the PM
at the same time he doesn't want to help justice minister Chris Said in reforms
and will not support reform by Carm Mifsud Bonnici
what's next??
i hope he doesn't go to the president asking to call a general election else he will ask for the president's resignation as well??
this person doesn't know what he wants... ma xxebbaw b'xejn
Guido Farrugia
Jan 9th 2012, 13:52
On the contrary, he knows exactly what he wants, strictly to abide by the oath taken in Parliament, to serve the people. That's what parliamentarians should be made of. Thank you Dott.
M Borg
Jan 9th 2012, 13:56
You are wrong here " this person " knows what he wants .
He wants everyone to do what he wants or else .........
Martin Abela
Jan 9th 2012, 12:25
Jekk tridu tkunu tafu x' jixtieq Franco Debono araw din
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3Gwrc5EHEo8#
Reno Calleja
Jan 9th 2012, 11:58
The Prime Minister has no alternative but to disolve parlaiment and go for an election. He no longer enjoys the majority and his government has lost its legitimacy.
Postponing the decision to go to the polls is not in the interest of Malta.
The decision, agonising as it is has to be taken.
Joseph John Camilleri
Jan 9th 2012, 14:26
Wishful thinking.
Alfred Falzon
Jan 10th 2012, 18:07
@ Joseph John Camilleri
Why do you have to insist that this is not normal procedure when a Party in Government loses its majority?
It's anti-democratic to govern against the will of the people so, if that be the case, unfortunately for the PN hardliners and afficionados, then the country must go to the polls to elect a Government of its choice!
That's what is known as democarcy in practice!
So, please, don't talk through your hat!
joseph mifsud
Jan 9th 2012, 11:36
kif qed jitkellem franco u qed jghid li xorta jekk il partit tieghu jilqa ir rizenja mma xorta franco ghandu dritt jibqa il parlament.ghalija mhemmx triq ohra ghall prim ministru li jmur ghant il president biex ixxolji il parlament u jsejjah ellezzjoni.
Tony Agius
Jan 9th 2012, 11:22
So Franco Debono showed every one his school results he had when he was still a child , doing so in this very serious point of time , render him to be still a childly minded person .
Alfred Falzon
Jan 9th 2012, 11:02
Being always subservient to a political party is akin to encouraging abuse and corruption!
PN, PL should now amalgamate into a PNPL party and call Alternattiva Demokratika, after its change of guard for the worse, to the rescue!
Anything can now happen in Malta's new craze for power and riches and, by the way, show business!
F. Pisani
Jan 9th 2012, 10:20
Oh Please Debono we already have to much saints in Malta, and so please 1 more is 1 too much. You wanted to a be a minister, the end. Know the situation is one, Malta doesn’t need childish people like you, and I am speaking in general know because PL can also have a Person like Franco who goes against the will of his party. By being a Minister, let alone being a member of a party, you have to play as the party demands. Every deputy, PL of PN regardless the party, he or she has the right to see the Good for the nation not the good for himself. So real please leave us alone and go to Italy is that where you wanted to stay? They have a good cuisine over there where you may be happy to share with them of how to make a GOOD MINESTRONE!! YOU LIKE THEM!!!!!!
James Dimech
Jan 9th 2012, 09:26
Oh so if he was made Minister it would have been ok to serve under Gonzi. But since he was not made Minister Gonzi became incompetent.
Why is politics only attracting megalomaniacs, freaks and incompetent people ?
Charles W. Sammut
Jan 9th 2012, 09:19
It is clear that there are some who are loathe to see reforms in the political scene. The present system of unaccountability suits them to a tee. But they have found someone who puts democratic and just principles before personal gain. If only we had another 5 or 6 Franco Debonos Malta would be a far better place.
Ms Lucia Davies
Jan 9th 2012, 11:59
Are you for real, if this is not personal gain I do not know what is, can you imagine what parlament would be like with six like Dr. Debono,,,
Alexander Farrugia
Jan 9th 2012, 09:15
Being a brilliant student at 12 years old does not mean that you'll be a brilliant workman when you're older, just like being a lousy student at 12 years old does not mean that you'll be a lousy worker when you're older. I don't really see the point of his showing off of his Form 2 marks.
Please choose the reason of your report below: