‘No conclusion’ as Gonzi meets Debono again
Rebel Nationalist MP Franco Debono met Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at Castille yesterday afternoon, as the political crisis comes to a head this week with the parliamentary debate and vote on an Opposition motion of no confidence in the...
Rebel Nationalist MP Franco Debono met Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at Castille yesterday afternoon, as the political crisis comes to a head this week with the parliamentary debate and vote on an Opposition motion of no confidence in the government.
Any solution must clarify things up to the end of this legislature- Prime Minister
Dr Debono did not comment on the meeting but a spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed it took place, adding simply that it was “inconclusive”.
Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg also attended the meeting which lasted 40 minutes, starting at 12.30 p.m.
Parliament will begin debating the Opposition motion this evening. It could lead to an early election if Labour gains the support of Dr Debono, who has been calling for Dr Gonzi to resign following a Cabinet reshuffle earlier this month.
Speaking to party supporters just before his meeting with Dr Debono, Dr Gonzi said any solution to the impasse had to be unconditional, long-term and in line with the government’s electoral programme.
He dismissed any suggestion of a temporary agreement which would allow the government to withstand Thursday’s no-confidence vote but leave the crisis unresolved.
“That is not a solution. Any solution must clarify things up to the end of this legislature, not just till next Thursday. We don’t just assume responsibility for a week.”
Reconciliation efforts with Dr Debono seemed to have disintegrated over the past few days, despite Dr Gonzi’s appeal last week for personal attacks against the MP to stop. Fellow backbencher Beppe Fenech Adami on Saturday ridiculed Dr Debono on radio saying that he had expressed intentions of becoming Prime Minister – a claim Dr Debono has vehemently denied.
Dr Debono said this episode unmasked the “hostility” within the Nationalist Party under which he has been militating.
He said Dr Fenech Adami’s “lie” had worked against the government because people had responded by wondering why Dr Debono, who provided many good ideas, had been sidelined.