Any solution must be long-term – Gonzi

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi drew a firm line under any possible solution to the ongoing political impasse yesterday, saying that any such solution needed to be unconditional, long-term and in line with the government’s electoral programme.

Speaking to a packed hall at the PN’s club in Żebbuġ, Dr Gonzi 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.”

As he insisted that he would not be held at ransom – “I do not accept any conditions!” – the roars of approval reached a deafening crescendo, momentarily drowning out Dr Gonzi. Outside, more people listened, umbrellas at the ready for the first sign of rain.

He described this week as one of the most important since the start of this legislature and expressed disappointment at unfolding political events. It was not in the country’s best interest to be entangled in a political crisis at such a fragile economic time.

“The issues that have been raised are important but they are of secondary importance when compared to the bigger picture,” Dr Gonzi said.

It is a bigger picture which the Prime Minister was keen to allude to, noting with satisfaction that the recently-published Labour Force Survey had shown that the Maltese economy had generated almost 4,000 jobs in the past year, “the hardest 12 months over the past 40-odd years,” as he described 2011.

Education Minister Dolores Cristina and government MP Ċensu Galea lent Dr Gonzi a helping hand, the latter citing numerous government-driven infrastructure projects while Ms Cristina pointed to the government’s educational track record.

Dr Gonzi took inspiration from his parliamentary colleagues. The infrastructure projects cited by Mr Galea and criticised by the Opposition generated jobs for Maltese workers, he said. “What would they do? Stop all these projects?”

He took a couple of digs at his Labour Party adversaries, accusing them of “arrogance” for having attempted to limit debate on the no-confidence motion to 75 minutes.

“They thought we’d want to drag things on for weeks or months, as is their wont,” he charged.

He reiterated last week’s appeal for debate to be “calm and mature”, without resorting to personal attacks. “And that goes for the other side’s media too,” Dr Gonzi added.

“This is a time to reflect, because a lot is at stake. If we make a mistake, a lot of people will suffer and we could end up in the same situation as many of our neighbouring countries,” he said.