Updated - PN parliamentary group meets - MPs back Gonzi and urge Debono to change his position or resign
"The Prime Minister spoke out very strongly against these personal attacks which are obviously complicating an already complicated situation." - JPO
Nationalist MPs this evening unanimously expressed strong backing for the prime minister and called on Franco Debono to withdraw his current position, show loyalty to those who elected him or else consider resigning from parliament. It was agreed, however, that Dr Debono would not be expelled from the group, informed sources said.
In a statement after a meeting of the parliamentary group, the PN said that the group considered Dr Debono's behaviour as a serious act of disloyalty and impropriety towards the leadership and structures of the PN as well as to his colleagues, the members of the party and his constituents.
While it recognised the role of every MP to express opinions and ideas for internal debate within the party, this should never prejudice the collective decisions of the party.
"No one had a right to threaten the stability of the government and the country, especially in the current international scenario. No one has a right to betray the wishes and intentions of his constituents. In such a case, the only honourable thing is to resign from parliament," the PN said.
During the 90-minute meeting, the prime minister explained the situation and said the holding of a general election at this time would not be in the national interest.
The government would not be the one to bring itself down, as happened to the Sant government, Dr Gonzi reportedly told the group.
The sources said the MPs discussed all possible scenarios and options, including the holding of an early election.
There was criticism during the meeting of the level of criticism against Dr Debono and his relatives, notably on the internet. MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who has reiterated his support for the government, said criticism of these personal attacks was the
The meeting was called after Dr Debono declared he will no longer support the government in parliament. He has also declared he will vote against the government if a confidence vote is called.
Dr Debono did not attend the meeting.
Asked for his reaction during Bondi' +, Dr Debono said the reaction was being given by the people. He pointed to the messages of support he was receiving on SMS.
Asked why he had not made public his various letters of resignations from the PN months ago, Dr Debono said he never withdrew his resignations and he told the PN to make them public. He did not wish to make his resignations public because he had acted with a heavy heart, he said. But one should ask why the PN did not make the resignations public either.
This evening's meeting followed a Cabinet meeting held yesterday and a meeting of the PN administrative council earlier today. The PN executive committee meets tomorrow.
Most MPs would not comment when they arrived at PN headquarters but Francis Zammit Dimech said Dr Gonzi should not repeat Alfred Sant's mistakes. Dr Sant in 1998 when faced with a situation similar to the present had linked a parliamentary vote with a vote of confidence in the government and was forced to call an early general election when Dom Mintoff voted against.
Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt when asked by reporters if a general election would be held soon, said that Franco Debono should resign.
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Alfred Falzon
Jan 12th, 16:04
I feel that my namesake's comments, though valid and in his right, are getting mixed up with mine.
My latest comment is the one marked "Today, 10:03".
In order to avoid further confusion, I shall be signing in as Alfred A. Falzon and no longer as Alfred Falzon.
Thus, opinions expressed by both will no longer be subject to surmise and conjecture and cause unnecessary embarrassment to one or the other.
May I add, that I fully respect my namesake Mr Alfred Falzon's option to retain his name and submit further comments if he so wishes under that name.
Alfred Falzon
Jan 12th, 10:03
Loyalty should go first and foremost to the people and country and not to a political faction which is only interested in clinging to power!
You did well Franco to defend the people's cause even at the risk of sticking out your neck .
At least we now have another MP who is not glued to his Parliamentary seat!!
It's useless for ex-Ministers, one of whom had resigned in Sant's times, to ask Dr Debono to give up his seat!
Mr Lino Spiteri, one of them, kept it even though he knew that his party was going to the dogs but did nothing to stop it!
Joseph Cini
Jan 11th, 13:32
HAWN HAFNA NIES QEGHDIN IHALLTU L-HASS MALL-..ASS. NAHSEB LI DR. FRANCO GHANU JKUN LEALI HAFNA IZJED LEJN IL PARTIT.
joanna farrugia
Jan 11th, 12:36
koss hux mela hargu jigbru l firem kontra franco debono u bil barka tal partit ax sakemm naf jien hadd ghadu ma qal xejn u donnhu ntesa dak li qal il prim il hadd biex jirizenja dr austin gatt.ara vera kummiedja wahda wara l ohra.ahjar jaraw x jrid il poplu mela l partit.
Jo Camm
Jan 11th, 12:35
Ma nafx ghaliex qed tiskantaw.
Mhux kulhadd ihokk fejn jieklu, jghid il-Malti??
Charles Massa
Jan 11th, 12:21
Debono jirrizanja. Meta dr. Dant kellu l istess sitwazzjoni, ridtu lil Mintoff jirrizenja? Imma r rota daret dawra tond. Jekk Gonzi konvint li se jirbah l elezzjoni ghandu ixolji l Parlamnet u isejjah elezzjoni biex din l incertezza tispicca
Anthony Pace Gouder
Jan 11th, 11:41
Kemm qeghdin sew!
Hargu jigru jigbru ( bil-beniddizjoni tal-Partit?) firem ghall-PETIZZJONI kontra Franco., izda kien ikun tajjeb li fil-waqt , LI QEGHDIN FIJA, jigbru ukoll il-firem tal-kostitwenti li huma kontra jew favur it-thaddim tal-Power Station bil-HFO!
A. MICALLEF
Jan 11th, 10:43
Dak li qieghed jghamel Franco Debono huwa it-thaddim ta Demokrazija. L-arroganza tal-klikka
tal-PN jippretendu li johonqu id-demokrazija. Veru tal-mishija ghal-PN li qieghdin ikassbru
it-thaddim tad-demokrazija f-pajjizna.
M Farrugia
Jan 11th, 13:22
Sur Micallef jekk inti ghadek taht it-30 sena ghandek ragun tghid hekk ghax ma tafx kif kienet tahdem id-demokrazija f'Malta fis-70ijiet. Tant konna demokratici li l-pariri konna nohduhom minghand Ghaddafi, Il-Korea, ic-Cina, l-Yugoslavia u pajjizi ohra demokratici bhal dawn.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Jan 11th, 10:42
Allahares Partit jew Gvern jaqa f'sitwazzjoni fejn dak li jghid, u jkun irid il-Kap jew il-PM , ikun approvat unanimament (kif rajna l-bierah) ghax kollha jkunu 'YES-MEN'.
Dan JIRRENDI Istituzzjoni , klubb, Partit, Gvern , XEJN ghajr 'merhla nag '. L- MLP, l kien waqgha f'din is-sitwazzjoni, u kullhadd jaf xgara !
Rajta i-bierah. HIERGA Mid-Dar Centrali !
Alfred Falzon
Jan 11th, 10:41
The PM's meeting with the parliamentary group yesterday, showed that when the PM discusses business with his Parliamentary group, he recieves their understanding and support, as much as the PG contributes in an effective and positive manner to the discussions/problems facing the party. Having said that, the same parliamentary group, has in the past, criticised the PM for not holding such meetings. They argue that, as the people's representatives, they should be invovled in government's business, prior to decisions being taken by the PM. They complain that they should come to know of certain governemt decisions from the PM, through such meetings with the PM and, before the news is communicated to the media. Good internal communications, work wonders and the PM is encouraged to meet the PG on a regular basis.
Victor Vella
Jan 11th, 10:41
@ J. Psalia
Where are you living at the PN headquarters at tal-Pieta?. At least during the Mintoff era you were allowed to join a union. Today under this autocratic regime of Gonzi if someone just utter the word union he/she is dragged from the place of work. This is the industrial democratization that this Stalin type of government people voted for.Today workers have learnt the lesson the hard way at their costs!
Mr Eric Gahn
Jan 11th, 10:35
So for the PN the Party comes before the Government. Excellent.
M Farrugia
Jan 11th, 13:36
Mr. eric Gahan, jekk il-P.N. ma jitlobx vot ta fiducja nistennew lil Franco Debono jew lil LabourParty jitolbu wiehed ta sfiducja halli l-interess inkun wiehed ta' individwu jew partit favur il-pajjiz.
George Azzopardi
Jan 11th, 10:01
Outcome of this meeting resulted as obviously expected. However, PN must now go to early election after Dr.Debono stood firm and off balanced Dr.Gonzi after first forcing him to do a re-shuffle and then with FD's aftermate reaction.
PN must go to election on the wrong foot and even more giving PL more lead after PM's reaction in dangerously disrupting democracy when in Xarabank he insisted that he will not do like Alfred Sant but continue to hold on his seat even when he knows that he does no longer holds parliament majority.
One wonders what will happen if PN looses this election now. Will they dump Dr.Gonzi or will they do like PL did by holding to A.Sant when they started loosing one election after another. I certainly hope not since I firmly believe that a party should not stay longer that two terms.
Alex Falzon
Jan 11th, 09:10
Even If Dr Debono is right on certain issues - no-one can go against the party or government structures in the way Dr Debono did.
Should this happen in a common workplace that individual would either have to leave the workplace and get fired. Same principle applies everywhere.
Matthew Grima
Jan 11th, 09:29
So if he's right, you want his allegations hidden from you?
Beppe Pisani
Jan 11th, 09:07
i shall not comment on the most arrogant person around which, i presume, everyone knows.
but on the behaviour of all 'honourable' towards the journalist... is this arrogance at its best when they are being asked by the press and just keep on walking.....AS IF THERE IS NO-ONE!!!!!!??
do they do the same when they go door to door 'licking' the people for their vote?
BP
Francis Attard
Jan 11th, 09:07
"Even the Prime Minister spoke out very strongly against the personal attacks which are obviously complicating an already complicated situation".
Dak int qieghed tghidu JPO, il-poplu ma jafx x'qal il-Prim Ministru. Mela mhux kapaci jghidu quddiem l-istampa dak il-kliem, jekk qalu fuq kollox.
David Smith
Jan 11th, 08:57
PN should carry out a reality check, and the sooner the better!
Forget Franco Debono's antics - is there any validity in what he is saying?
If what he is saying is shown to be wrong, then Franco Debono should be expelled from the party. If there is truth in what he is saying, then the PM should act quickly to remedy the situation...for the good of the nation and for the good of the party.
Oh and by the way...since Joseph Muscat stated that the MLP is in no hurry to have an election, then the MLP should seriously consider supporting the Government in Parliament, if it wants to be credible.
Dominic Fenech
Jan 11th, 08:55
If "the holding of a general election at this time would not be in the national interest", then there's one way to go for the prime minister: ask, nay beg, the Labour opposition for help. In the national interest.
Angus Black
Jan 11th, 13:17
Does the official Opposition need to be ASKED to act in the interest of the country?
I was under the impression that it is its fundamental duty to do so without prodding and arm twisting.
Anything less than that, proves that the LP places its interest first and foremost and well ahead of the good of the nation.
Beg Labour? Now that's a new one and a good one!
Robert Camilleri
Jan 11th, 08:42
min jaf iddiskutewx fuq min hu l ministru li jhalli l wife id dar u l girlfriend il ministeru!! u bla misthija jitkellmu kontra d divorzju!!! kemm hu ragel ta vera franco ma jidejjaq minn xejn avolja jhedduh u bil puluzija quddiem dahru ma jidejjaq minn hadd!!! well done franco u r god gifts to malta
Dominic Chircop
Jan 11th, 08:31
This comparison of players and coach is totally out of place.
It is not the coach who often chooses the team, but the owner.
He also hires and fires the coach. Ask Abramovitch !!
W Cassar
Jan 11th, 08:48
If the players don't perform under the coach, its the coach that gets fired too.
John J Borg
Jan 11th, 09:10
.....and players often score autogoals aswell............
Red Devil
Jan 11th, 10:06
You are basing your reply on a team which is not run correctly, just like the PN. A proper club like Man Utd or Arsenal let the coach have all the power and he chooses who is part of the team! When players fail to perform, such as Veron or Taibi, Ferguson showed them the door and brought in new players who gave it their all! Gonzi made the mistake of just re-shuffling the same players which ultimately proves that the same mistakes are done; just in different departments!
mario gellel
Jan 11th, 08:30
WHEN MINTOFF DID THIS TO SANT, THE PN SAID THAT FOR THE SAKE OF DEMOCRACY SANT SHOULD CALL AN EARLY ELECTION.
HOW COME NOW THE PN IS NOT USING THE SAME ATTITUDE FOR THE SAKE OF DEMOCRACY ?????
IL-HAKMA TAL-POTER TELA GHAL RASHOM U AKKOST TA KOLLOX MA RIDUX JITILFUH, ANKE JEKK KONTRA ID=DEMOKRAZIJA???????????
MHUX 'ARROGANZA,DITTATURA U ANTI DEMOCRATIKA TISSEJAH DIN ????
Hossam Helwani
Jan 11th, 08:52
dictatorship was during those wonderful 1971-87 regime when lejber governed without the majority of the people for 5years and 6 months. what do you call that?
B Borg
Jan 11th, 09:02
@ Hossam Helwani,
as a matter of fact with only 49% of votes even this goverment has no majority of the people...and now no majority at all.
mario gellel
Jan 11th, 09:06
@ Hossam Helwani
INT MALTI L-EWWEL NETT ??????
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 11th, 10:02
Gellel
When I read your post "INT MALTI L-EWWEL NETT ?????? " I was about to ask you if it mattered? Then I read the rest of your post and said to myself why waste time.
H. Psaila
Jan 11th, 10:07
@ Mario Gellel - If Hossam Helwani is not Maltese, but I am 100% Maltese and fully agree with Hossam Helwani. Where we democratic during Mintoff's era, you cannot strike, shop owners could not take 1day off for a public holiday that Mintoff took off from the holiday calendar. That was arrogance and not democracy. You are so much blind folded you cannot even see what is wrong or right.
Mr Joseph Galea
Jan 11th, 08:24
I think Austin Gatt should be the first to resign with all his blunders.
Mr Joseph Galea
Jan 11th, 08:23
Dictatorship at its best...Is this Malta or China?
J Galea
Jan 11th, 09:12
Mr Galea why are you so obsessed with dictatorship? Allow me to ask you whether you truely understand what is and how a dictatorship works because I dare say that you either do not have an idea of the principles of a dictatorship or you are trying to fool the readers.
George Azzopardi
Jan 11th, 08:22
Interesting is the last paragraph ..
Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt when asked by reporters if a general election would be held soon, said that Franco Debono should resign.
Hyprocrisis at it's best when Austin Gat was saved from resigning by Speaker's casting vote
Mark Demicoli
Jan 11th, 08:21
the Title of the article can be MISLEADING to say the least: you read "Updated - PN parliamentary group meets - MPs back Gonzi and urge Debono to change his position or resign
"The Prime Minister spoke out very strongly against these personal attacks which are obviously complicating an already complicated situation." - JPO"
and you think that the PM spoke against the personal attacks from FD against gonzi, but this is not the case as per the full story then this is not the case. The PM was speaking against the personal attacks against Franco and his family.
Charles Micallef
Jan 11th, 08:19
The nation last night were given the opportunity to listen to the Hon Franco Debono elaborating on his reasons for his recent actions, however it is a pity that since we call ourselves a democracy, that the nation was not given the opportunity to follow what was being discussed during the meeting of the PN executive live on TV, after all we are an open country with nothing to hide, or are we? ...then the voters would have really been given the opportunity to listen to what all “OUR PN MP’s” had to say…. instead of a prepared statement of a few words to keep the journalists happy!
J. Mifsud
Jan 11th, 08:35
Do you think they would have said anything which would put them in a bad light, had they been transmited live on TV? They would still have discussed it in private and came up with a well rehearsed conference, and we would only have heard and seen what they wanted us to see.
Mr Charles Falzon
Jan 11th, 08:01
Mur ara kieku xi hadd iehor qal LE!!!! Mhux bilfors li kollha kienu ser jghidu yes sir!!!!
Mr Joseph Galea
Jan 11th, 08:24
Kieku kont tarah itir barra mit-tieqa tal-kwartieri tal-PN...lol
B Attard
Jan 11th, 07:58
No one has a right to betray the wishes and intentions of his constituents.
That is the point. Franco listens to his constituents complaints and gets preoccupied,
At last an MP with a heart ......he's not there for the votes and the chair only.
F. Pisani
Jan 11th, 07:55
The story is simple, if I am part of the team, I have to play like the team demands, the end. if that is not how it is, than I and every body around who may be unhappy on work, a sport team, or anything that involves a form of team work, have the right to go up to the manger, and demand him to play as I like it to be!!!!! If an MP, PN or MLP is unhappy of the situation around, he or she must leave! So it is clear... or play as the couch demands of find another team, that is what football players do every time!!!
A. MICALLEF
Jan 11th, 07:53
Issa Sinjuri tal-PN morru itolbu il-vot lil dawk il-membri tal-bordijiet tal-Mepa li hargu permessi
llegali u morru itolbu il-voti lil tal-JS list. Issa il-votant halluh kwiet, ghaliex issa wasal il-waqt li
jghamel il-kontijiet mghakhom.
Joe Fenech
Jan 11th, 07:49
Oh , so no the minister DO want their power despite Gonzi saying that they are there to serve!
Thanks Franco for being a true democrat and a free spirited man.
Victor Buhagiar
Jan 11th, 07:45
Getting support from 34 MPs is not enough you need the 35th, if a means of reconciliation cannot be established (and it seems it is the case) the meeting held within the PN are only to discuss the election
A. Mizzi
Jan 11th, 07:39
Decision taken by an amply remunerated Gonzi's lamentsed limited Cabinet talent !
Always putting the Party's and it sustainers' interest first with no mention at all of the country's interest and stability!
B Grech
Jan 11th, 07:00
"Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt when asked by reporters if a general election would be held soon, said that Franco Debono should resign".
I don t think Austin Gatt is any position to ask a fellow MP to resign. Its this type of arroagance that will cost the government the next election.
Mario Mallia
Jan 11th, 07:45
So Austin Gatt is arrogant in asking a fellow MP to resign. But it is OK for a backbencher to demand the resignation of the Prime Minister and hold the country to ransom. It is this kind of twisted "logic" and opportunism that has kept Labour out of Government for a whole generation.
R Axisa
Jan 11th, 06:19
Il-PN sikwit jghid li jaghmel widnejh mal-art biex jisma' lill-poplu. Imma l-unika wiehed li qieghed jisma' u jevalwa t-tnehid tal-poplu huwa Franco Debono. Il-bqija, jimpurthom biss mill-but! Il-poplu ilu wisq jaghmel is-sagrificcji filwaqt li jara lil tal-qalba dejjem jistaghnew! FD mhux l-unika wiehed li semma lehnu dwar dan, kien hemm JeanPierre Farrugia, JPO, Jesmond Mugliett u FD. Imma dan huwa l-unika wiehed li kellu l-kuragg u jibqa' jsemma lehnu u jagixxi ghall-wegghat tal-poplu!
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 11th, 06:09
Messa in scena.. Wasn’t this a non event event? Any Gonzipn MP not supporting Dr. Gonzi would lose their chance to be re-elected to parliament.
Joseph Calleja
Jan 11th, 04:07
Franco Debono it is time for you to decide what you want to be, a mouse or a man?
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 11th, 02:27
Mela Gonzi qatt ghamel xa haga fl'interess tan-nazzjon, ibda mill l-ewwel fjask tat-Teatru Real ,Bieb il Belt u mijja ohra sal lum. Kien hemm lok fejn setghu jirrizenjaw ohrajn qabel Dr.Franco.
Ivan Scicluna
Jan 11th, 01:16
This is undoubtely the worst Nationalist Prime Minister we ever had in history.
Dear Mr.Debono - you are right, but your attitude leaves much to be desired.
Matthew Tanti
Jan 11th, 00:54
X’ hadna bhala poplu minn din il-laqgha? Certifikat inkonfondibli tal-arroganza tal-klikka GonziPN. Problema ohra li gabu fuqna huma u ma jridux jaghtuna sudisfazzjon ta’ xejn ta’ kif behsiebhom ibengluha.
Mr B Busuttil
Jan 11th, 00:08
Franco vs lou 1-0
Tony Mangion
Jan 11th, 00:00
I watched the programme Rejalta on One and the Hon Pullicino Orlando said that during the Nationalist M.P. meetings they spoke on the possibility of a reconsiiation with FD, which is something different from from the Press release published after the MP's meeting.
Vicky Agius
Jan 10th, 23:43
Well, Maltese democracy has really painted itself into a corner if Parliament cannot question Prime Ministerial competency! Irrespective of the party in power!
Matthew Tanti
Jan 10th, 23:41
X’ hadna bhala poplu minn din il-laqgha? Certifikat inkonfondibli tal-arroganza tal-klikka GonziPN. Problema ohra li gabu fuqna huma u ma jridux jaghtuna sudisfazzjon ta’ xejn ta’ kif behsiebhom ibengluha.
j brincat
Jan 10th, 23:08
"Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt when asked by reporters if a general election would be held soon, said that Franco Debono should resign"
Heqq he (Austin) should have resigned a long time ago. But some are sticklers!
(jb)
Guza Zammit
Jan 10th, 23:50
Sur Brincat, min ma jahdimx ma jiehux zbalji, imma, min ma jaqbilx mat team huwa fi dmir li jzarma u jitlaq!!
Paul Giordimaina
Jan 11th, 07:15
Why should Austin Gatt resign he is a lot minister than you ever been.All you got is hatred and jealusy
Mr Joseph Galea
Jan 11th, 08:28
@Guza Zammit: "min ma jahdimx ma jiehux zbalji" - Int bis-serjeta' qed tghid? Mela hekk sew issa naccettaw li l-ministri jiehdu l-izbalji minn flusna u minn hajjitna. Ara kieku kien il-PL fil-gvern u ghamel il-frejjeg ta' Austin, ara kemm kont tghid l-istess!!!!
Wasal iz-zmien li ghandu jkun hawn benchmarking ghal min ghandu d-dritt jivvota ghax taqra certu kummenti, tibda thabbat rasek mal-mejda.
ONLY IN MALTA
Stephen Grech
Jan 11th, 08:30
Mr Giordimania,
When Austin Gatt called the Labour supporters "Pigs" and "Stupid Race", what was that hatred, jealousy or unconditional love???.
Thank god of this regime democracy.
walter muscat
Jan 10th, 23:04
nahseb li jistaw jaghmlu skema ta irtirar kmieni
Sandro Pace
Jan 10th, 22:56
I do not think that Alfred Sant made a mistake way back in 1998. He did the right thing, in a gentlemanly and dignified manner. Sometimes one has to do the right thing, even if one thinks it is not the best thing. Democracy above everything else.
An election is inevitable, and it should be called as soon as possible. Democratic credentials are at stake.
Mr M Spiteri
Jan 10th, 23:39
very well said. Some of our politicians project democratic credetials only by words.
M Micallef
Jan 10th, 22:53
Being a Maltese Citizen Pure from the Roots having no particular party or hidden agenda we believe that the present Governament must find again the stability we enjoyed . That must be the first option ..... Sooner or Later the Election will be called and we shall vote in what we believe it is best interest for our Islands. But if no solution has been found than there is no other way but to call an Election in due time. This must be the last option.
Mario Cachia
Jan 10th, 22:47
So when Dr. Gonzi voted against the people's will in the divorce motion... that is now loyalty to the people that elected him...
All those who voted against the Divorce showed lack of respect and democracy to their people in the first place, and not franco debono
B. Cachia
Jan 10th, 22:46
Let's hope at least that the farce that Gonzi's leadership has turned out to be will serve as a lesson for the party and for all political parties to start having a proper and fair leadership election process and to do away with the coronations of weak princelings 'predestined' to the take the post from years before.
Carmel J. Caruana
Jan 11th, 06:49
Mr Cachia, your comment is exactly what I have been saying all these years. Dr Fenech Adami destroyed the Nationalist Party by anointing a weak successor for reasons which are obvious to all - particularly following the divorce issue.
Sandro Pace
Jan 10th, 22:45
Franco Debono fared very well today on Bondi+, and many of the things he said are valid. Of course, he does not excel in humility, but not everyone is perfect.
On the other hand, granted that the aim of Franco Debono at some point in time could have been the ministry of justice, does he accept that it would have meant total ceasing of his activity as a criminal lawyer, and the relinquishing of any interest in his company? That's what subtle Democracy would have required, and anything short than that would have been a conflict of interest. If Dr. Debono loves both, he would have had to cease one activity, no matter how busy he likes to be. This is not a matter of opinion.
As much as Karmenu Vella resigned his chairmanship in Corinthia the moment he was re-involved in politics.
j brincat
Jan 10th, 22:45
"but Francis Zammit Dimech said Dr Gonzi should not repeat Alfred Sant's mistakes"
BUT what mistake was this Françoise? Dr Sant was simply showing his democratic credentials which after all is as it should be!
(jb)
GonziPN =GonziNM
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jan 11th, 05:40
Because Sant lost the following election and Gonzi wants to hold on to power at any cost. For GonziPN, power matters and nothing else.
j brincat
Jan 10th, 22:39
"The sources said the MPs discussed all possible scenarios and options, including the holding of an early election"
In a real democratic country that should have been the one and only scenario!
(jb)
GonziPN = GonziNM
j brincat
Jan 10th, 22:37
PN parliamentary group meets - MPs back Gonzi and urge Debono to change his position or resign
Really?. Did anyone with a modicum of intelligence expected anything else?
Come of it!
(jb)
GonzoPN = GonziNM
Victor Vella
Jan 10th, 22:33
I followed all the discussion of Lou Bondi- although I never saw any of his mediocre one sided programmes. Even at this programme as usual Bondi tried to put words in the mouth of Debono, but the latter was sharp enough to let him swallow the same words that he wanted to say with the mouth of Bondi. If Gonzi lost the majority there is only one way that is very urgent for this country- to restore back democracy and the majority rules. At this time in point the government is illegitimate because Gonzi is not entertaining the majority of the people. Democracy comes before the economy and the other bluff that Gonzi is trying to show. How can Gonzi go to Europe to lead discussions when he is no more the legitimate PM of Malta? He ordered Debono to resign. So, Explicitly he is saying to the Maltese that he lost his majority of one seat in Parliament. It is better for Gonzi to put his house that is in a jungle state of affairs in order and call an election in the coming months. Otherwise he is playing with democracy and the rule of law of the country.
M. Bezzina
Jan 10th, 22:46
Veru haqqu prosit Franco debono ax qatt ma rajt lil Lou bondi daqsekk masur!!!!
J Busuttil
Jan 10th, 22:48
It looks like you did not watch incontri yesterday on One. If it was not a mediocric programme than what is.
Vince Piscopo
Jan 11th, 06:05
At least Incontri is aired on a private party TV station. Bondi+ is aired on national TV paid by taxpayers which is EXPECTED to be impartial - gurnalismu fuq kollox.
Why didn t WE ever consider to air Bondi+ on NET TV and maybe change name to BondiPN; better suits I say and tunes well with the buzz word GonziPN!!!
Joe Grech
Jan 10th, 22:27
''Francis Zammit Dimech said Dr Gonzi should not repeat Alfred Sant's mistakes.'' - It is understandable that Francis, like a number of other P.N. M.P.s should stand foresquare behind the Hon. Prime Minister.
If memory serves me right, when he was curtly removed from his Ministry of Tourism Francis Zammit Dimech received a tidy Lm20,000 (or thereabouts) as 'bail out' money by the Prime Minister. A number of other ex-Ministers got the same treatment.
Why did Dr. Gonzi do that? Was such an action a democratic one? Why was this unnecessary spending of taxpayer money carried out?
Why was this inadmissable precedent created?
Hopefully Franco Debono will ask that of Lou Bondi during today's Bondi+.
Martin Zarb
Jan 10th, 22:22
We could join Italy and Greece as another government that fell. Some Maltese have no shame and all they care about is that their colour (blue or red) is in government. Frankly, I do not care about colour but I am proud of my country and will be ashamed if we allow this tantrum by a child to effect our credibility as men.
V Caruana
Jan 10th, 22:20
Ma għandhom l-ebda dritt iġgħelu lil Franco jirriżenja. Jistu jkeċċuh mill-partit. Jistu forsi jmorru l-parlament u jressqu vot ta' sfiduċja fih. U min hu kontra Napuljun? Tiskanta kif f'din l-istqarrija ma ssemmiex JM! U kif agħda ma daritx fuqu?
J Busuttil
Jan 10th, 22:20
First time I am mentioning Franco Debono this way. But watching Bondi+ I can say Franco lost it. He is taking the country to the edge. He will be harming most of the nation when he will be voting against the Budget implementation bill. PL supporters are taking him for a ride, his body language says it all. I pity him as he is still young but after all this is over he will definitely need help to pick up the pieces. The most honourable thing for him to do is resign, all will calm down he will get back into place vis a vie his life and carrier come next year we will have an election on a level playing field.
J. Borg
Jan 10th, 23:00
As you say ....he is taking the country to the edge and ....after a while, selfishly showing the intent to leaving us to go to Italy to enjoy their food and Fiorentina team. Very patriotic indeed.
Joseph Brincat
Jan 10th, 22:17
THE WAY I SEE IT
WHEN YOU GO AND BUY SOMETHING AND YOU FIND OUT THAT
IT IS " SKADUT " YOU GO AND CHANGE IT , BUT IF HE WILL GIVE
YOU ANOTHER ONE " SKADUT " YOU WOULDN'T ACCEPT IT
SO DE. DEBONO IS 100 % RIGHT ! ! ! ! GONZI MAST RESIGN OR ELSE ???????
Alfred Falzon
Jan 10th, 22:17
No one has a right to betray the wishes and intentions of the people. The political barometer indicates that the absolute majority of the people want to be given a chance to voice their wishes. This can only be done through an election. Hence, anyone that wants to retain the seat of power is going against the public sentiment.
Joe Portelli
Jan 10th, 22:16
Even if the individual is conviced he/she is right, one still must accept no one is bigger than the party.
Mr Debono may have the right ideas, even has constituents support perhaps, but FAILED completely to persuade the leader and the Party and the minute one threatens to Vote against he automatically disassociated himself from the power of the Party priviledged to be in government. A desperate action that will be remembered, because people generally do not have memory for good or bad, but never forget how they were made to feel and currently he has made people FEEL dissapointed and people in Malta have long memories.
He first failed to persuade the Party then he threatens their position and for the Maltese people he has damaged their represenatives credibility - The ONLY honourable next move is to RESIGN ASAP.
Manuel Mantik
Jan 10th, 23:49
"Even if the individual is conviced he/she is right, one still must accept no one is bigger than the party."
well said mr marx! greetings to honnecker and the boys! cu at the next meeting of the central committee!
John Micallef
Jan 10th, 22:13
Just watched Bondi+ - it must have been the best program for ages!!!
Franco Debono ha ssome defects, but, if God forbid I need a lawyer in the future -it's goign to be Franco Debono!!!
Kidding apart, I think that Franco Debono is seeing and hearing about so much wronmg things in Malta that he reallly cannot stand it any longer.
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Jan 10th, 22:01
The worse prime minister we ever had from independence.
Ian Abela
Jan 10th, 23:31
*worst
*since, not from.
Please.
Victor Laiviera
Jan 10th, 21:58
What a surprise!
Charles Sammut
Jan 10th, 21:48
of course austin says Franco must go....because it was Franco who highlighted the fact that austin is useless to the island in the sun...austin must go!!
Joe Grech
Jan 10th, 21:46
Watching Bondi+ and realizing that Franco Debono is really making Lou Bondi look like the abominable guy he really is! Never saw anybody putting Lou in his place - Franco Debono was a trump card in the P.N. if only there was not the arrogance and deceit in the party which prevented his being seen in this light.
Debono put the interests of people first and foremost which certainly does not seem to be the case with the majority of the present Cabinet.
And the backbenchers have stopped their grumbling for the simple reason that the Hon. P.M. gave each of them ten thousand euros annually and seconded them to the different Ministries. Was such a move really democratic? Hopefully Franco Debono will ask that of Lour Bondi!
Mr N Attard
Jan 10th, 22:29
Fully agree with you! Bondi was left speechless. Never saw him this way.
N. Agius
Jan 10th, 21:45
An election is inevitable. How on earth can they carry on like this?
Mariano Camilleri
Jan 10th, 21:44
you id..ts austin gatt did resign but it was refused...check your facts
Manuel Mantik
Jan 11th, 00:00
hey lawrence, shall i go home? as if buddy, u stay! resignation maltese...
lilly vella
Jan 10th, 21:43
inzel min hemm sur gonzi mhux kapaci tmexxi l shabek ahseb u ara pajjiz.
Johnny Xerri
Jan 10th, 21:38
lol...Gone-zi & claiming that MPs should ' show loyalty to those who elected him or else consider resigning from parliament'
did you show loyalty when you awarded €1.16 to us and €500 to yourselves?
Did you show loyalty to hunters when you guaranteed that hunting would not be effected by EU membership (like it or not, approve or not, one cannot deny without any doubt that they were cheated)?
Did you show loyalty when you claimed there is not enough money for tax cuts...yet enough for your pay rise?
Did you show loyalty by prolonging the ministerial splits...and due to ministerial blunders that resulted in legal blunders criminals got scotch free because they were interogated without a lawer?
Pn will not go through Sant's route...fine...then spend 1 year without a parliamental majority...pass no laws...and then we will see what results you will have on your economic crisis tacklement...
PN you can run but you cannot hide...1 month...4 months...1 year...you will still face an election...economic crisis or not...
The PN are claiming that now is not the time for an election because of the financial crisis...so what if the crisis persists into 2013...will they opt to break democracy and end up as dictators forcing us into no election cause of the crisis...?
Brats...who don't want an election now...simply because they want it after the next budget when they would have by miricle found the money for the tax cuts...fixed some (albiet temporary issues)...and bought the peoples votes...and maybe opened spring season decently and maybe removed the september curfew...
U haluna kemm hsibtu li l Malta baqa gahan bhalkom?
Mr Paul Borg
Jan 10th, 21:34
Re: No one has a right to betray the wishes and intentions of his constituents. In such a case, the only honourable thing is to resign from parliament," the PN said.
Betrayal?? Remember DR Gonzi betrayal to the wishes and intentions of the Maltese when he wholeheartedly declared that "BIL-QALB SER NIVVOTA BIEX JGHOLEW IL-KONTIJIET TAD-DAWL U TAL-ILMA"
Yes, Dr Gonzi the only honourable thing is to resign from Parliament!!!!!
Thomas Mifsud
Jan 10th, 21:31
Shameless and arrogant Nationalist parliamentaries. A whole country begging for an election and they still want to hang on to the last straw. God please keep your hands on Franco Debono, stand strong against this dictatorship!! Unbeleivable people...
C. Sammut
Jan 10th, 21:51
Amen to that.
Matthew Tanti
Jan 10th, 21:04
Il-PM u l-membri parlamentari nazzjonalisti maghluqin id-dar centrali jahlu l-hin jiddiskutu kif ha jzommu posthom fil-poter. Flok jahdmu fuq il-problemi reali tac-cittadini, ez. problemi bhal waiting list ghall-operazzjonijiet jew in-nuqqas ta’ sodod f’ Mater Dei
H. J. Grech
Jan 10th, 20:48
Probably Malta will go to the polls but we have to admit it: the country is not prepared for it, irrespective of who wins. The most important thing is the good of the country especially in these international troubled times.
Stephen Florian
Jan 10th, 20:46
Prime minister's car parked in from of PN HQ at Pieta' , people waiting at the door, concrete billboard bases taking strategic positions all around Malta's arterial roads...don't you get the feeling that the biggest sitcom of 2012 is about to begin...?
A Dimech
Jan 10th, 20:41
Since this PN meetings are of huge public importance, can the journalists put pressure on them to understand what is being discussed and any outcomes?
Joseph Borg
Jan 10th, 20:38
arroganza papali....keep it up Gonzi ta u ara x taghmel u halli lill Austin imexxilek il kampanja elettorali halli mhux l ghoxrin sena li jmiss taghmlu fil gvern imma 40!!!! anzi ahtru Kap minflokhok ghal ftit!
Prosit lill Mario Galea ghax waqaf jitkellem bhan nies u ta risposta ta nies minghajr ma kellu ghalfejn ikun pastaz bhalek sur Gatt!
Of all people INT kellek tieqaf tghid biex Franco jirrizenja!!!?? kont nistennijha min ghand kulhadd barra min bniedem li ghamel falliment bl Arriva u bi Smart Skeleton City li suppost fawret lill Malta bil jobs u baqa hemm cicci beqqi jcarrat wiccu!
Missek tisthi!
D. Xerri
Jan 10th, 20:36
The Prime Minister is going everywhere But the right place to put an end to all this !
In one of Yesterday`s TV Programmes someone said - Its like loosing your wallet in Republic Street and you go look for it in Merchants Street because there is more light there :~)
Its Exactly what the Prime Minister is Doing !
Please Stop Wasting more time for this country and its people !
Mr M Saliba
Jan 10th, 20:35
Alfred Sant was politically correct when he resigned realizing that he did not possess parliamentary majority.It is always difficult for a prime minister and pro government representatives to put the interests of the country before those of the party.
Gianni Zammit
Jan 10th, 20:32
xi dwejjaq ghandhom fuqhom.....
Joseph Micallef
Jan 10th, 20:28
You should have resigned first Austin. You've made a mess out of the national public transport system and you didn't have the decency to assume the responsibility of your ministry. You don't have the slightest understanding of "accountability". Should you have resigned, we might have avoided Franco Debono's reaction as afterall, Franco is acting in the interest of the people, unlike you.
M. Bezzina
Jan 10th, 20:18
Nispera li Wistin jorqod sew illejla!!!!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 10th, 19:53
4 December 2011 - News headline - Debono supports the government on Budget .."
10 January 2012 - News headline - Debono will not back government on key budget implementation .."
If this is this the same Debono, could yhe please make up his mind and tell us and if he is going or coming?
How many U turns does he intend to make between now and the next budget day?
Mr Hans Borg
Jan 10th, 21:10
Jaghmel kemm jaghmel U-turns zgur ma jilhaqx lil Gonzi !!!
Patrick Zammit
Jan 10th, 22:22
Is this the same PN which hailed Mintoff as a hero but refers to F Debono as a traitor?
Why didn't the PN call for Mintoff to resign back then?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 10th, 23:25
@ Patrick Zammit.
Please remember that Mintoff did not vote against the MLP government led by Alfred Sant on some important bill that was intrinsically a vote of confidence that would bring down Sant's government. The government fell because of Sant's error of political judgment when he transformed an ordinary bill artificially and without need to a vote of confidence.
Alexander Farrugia
Jan 10th, 19:52
Question: Is a general election going to be held soon?
Answer: Franco Debono should resign.
I thought that questions such as the above are usually answered by 'yes', 'no' or 'I don't know'.
Joe Busuttil
Jan 10th, 20:31
Since last Sunday,when Gonzi PN told him to prepare to get off ,APG doesn't know if he's coming or going.
R. Cilia
Jan 10th, 19:49
You too should have resigned on the Arriva fiasco Dr.Gatt, but you did not!