Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi rallied the troops yesterday as he paid tribute to loyalists like Transport Minister Austin Gatt and lashed out fiercely at renegade Nationalist MP Franco Debono.
Whoever is here to serve himself should leave the scene
About 400 supporters, some waving small PN election flags, flocked to the party’s Marsaxlokk club, giving their leader a hero’s welcome two days after his Cabinet reshuffle cost him his parliamentary majority. Coincidentally, Church bells rang for Mass as Dr Gonzi entered the piazza, adding to the uplifting atmosphere the party intended to create.
“It is during our most trying moments that our true force emerges,” he said flanked by most of the members of his Cabinet and other familiar faces, including Dr Debono’s rivals on his district Manwel Delia and Hermann Schiavone.
“We need to ask ourselves, are we still the party of those who are ready to put aside their personal ambitions to serve the country? Whoever is here to serve himself should leave the scene,” Dr Gonzi said, to loud cheers and standing ovations.
Prime ministers could not afford to bow their heads, succumb to pressure and be used like doormats, he said, referring to the constant threats he faced from Dr Debono, who has now publicly declared his loss of confidence in the government.
Dr Gonzi said he welcomed good ideas but he could not accept those who vowed to bring down the government because they were not given exactly what they wanted, as Dr Debono had done.
“This is dangerous not just for me but for all future governments . . . Not even Dom Mintoff did this,” he said referring to 1998, when Mr Mintoff, a former Labour leader, faced a showdown with then Prime Minister Alfred Sant, who called an election after tying a vote to confidence in the government.
Dr Gonzi pointed out that Mr Mintoff had not forced an election but voted against a resolution which was not even a money bill.
“He kept to the democratic principle,” Dr Gonzi said.
He also criticised Opposition leader Joseph Muscat for “hiding” the global financial problems and refusing to come up with solutions.
“Instead, Dr Muscat says we should go to Parliament for a vote of no confidence,” Dr Gonzi said.
The Prime Minister reiterated his intentions to hold an election at the end of the five-year legislature (within 15 months), but said it did not depend entirely on him.
Having begun his speech by pointing out the presence of former minister Michael Refalo, former parliamentary secretary Antoine Mifsud Bonnici and former ambassador Richard Muscat, Dr Gonzi ended by paying tribute to Transport Minister Austin Gatt, who recently also faced a showdown with Dr Debono.
Dr Gonzi made a surprise announcement by recounting an exchange the two had had a few days ago.
“I told [Dr Gatt ‘If you’re going to stick to your plans not to contest the next election – and I hope you reconsider – you must start planning because later this year you must step down from your role as minister and dedicate your time to the party, so we will win the next election,” Dr Gonzi said.
“And do you know what he told me? ‘Prime Minister, tell me what you want me to do [and I will do it],’” Dr Gonzi said.
As the crowd cheered for both Dr Gonzi and Dr Gatt, the Prime Minister made his way to the balcony of the PN club to wave to the supporters who had gathered in the square.