The Nationalist Party upped the ante against its renegade MP Franco Debono yesterday, with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi calling for his resignation as the only honourable option he has left.

“The rules of democracy dictate that when an issue arises that is so important that you stop agreeing with the leader of your party, your only option is to resign from Parliament and return your seat to those who gave it to you on the condition that you are loyal,” he said.

“I hope Dr Debono recognises what must be done for the common good and in the national interest and chooses the honourable option.”

After a two-hour meeting of the PN’s executive committee, which pledged full support in Dr Gonzi as Prime Minister and leader of the party, Dr Debono was once again accused of creating instability in the country.

As predicted, the executive committee approved a motion which not only calls for Dr Debono’s resignation but schedules a general council meeting to be held before the end of the month.

Muscat ‘puts hunger for power first’

Dr Gonzi said it was “ironic” that the party had to meet to discuss a problem created by a member of its own family on the same day that the government received another stamp of approval from the EU regarding the country’s debt.

He stressed that the problem had not been created by the Prime Minister or the PN but by Dr Debono because he did not agree with the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

Dr Gonzi refused to answer questions after his short address to the media which gathered outside in the cold in anticipation of developments on the political saga which has gripped the country.

Dr Debono has threatened to bring down the government by expressing his lack of confidence in the current administration in a vote in Parliament, if one is called. Opposition leader Joseph Muscat yesterday signalled that if one is not called by the government, it could be called by Labour in order to remove the prevailing uncertainty and instability.

Dr Gonzi said he understood that Dr Muscat would take advantage of the situation created by Dr Debono but found it unacceptable for the Opposition leader to put his hunger for power before the national interest.

“If the country’s interest is Dr Muscat’s ambition to become the youngest Prime Minister in history, I must say, that is not my interest. My interest is to find what the country needs in the circumstances we are facing,” he said, quoting Dr Muscat as having said he was prepared to lead the country from today.

Yesterday’s executive committee meeting followed a parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday evening where confidence in Dr Gonzi was also declared and Dr Debono was urged to give up his parliamentary seat.