Christian Peregin
Instability no matter the outcome – Muscat
Franco Debono for tomorrow
Rebel MP Franco Debono entering Parliament, yesterday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
A debate on the Opposition’s motion of no confidence in the government kicked off yesterday with Labour leader Joseph Muscat warning that the instability would prevail regardless of the vote’s outcome.
The evening session began some hours after the Nationalist Party held a hastily organised parliamentary group meeting ostensibly to plan the week’s programme of discussion in the House.
Before the meeting, rebel Nationalist MP Franco Debono indicated a softening of his stance by saying there was a “possibility” he might abstain on Thursday.
He also said he would try to attend the parliamentary group meeting, although he never showed up.
However, Dr Debono attended the parliamentary sitting, and although he did not sit, as he does usually, behind Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, he made sure not to take a seat at the very end of the backbench but in the third closest to the door.
Dr Debono has spent the past few weeks, since the Prime Minister’s January reshuffle, saying he has lost confidence in the government and would be prepared to vote against in such a motion.
Although there did not seem to be any eye contact with the Prime Minister and most members of the frontbench, the rebel backbencher was given a warm welcome by many government MPs who struck up friendly conversations with him.
Parliamentary secretary Mario Galea sat near him throughout the first part of the sitting, while whip David Agius and Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono also spoke to Dr Debono at length. He appeared relaxed throughout.
The only people who did not seem to speak to Dr Debono were MP Beppe Fenech Adami, who criticised him on the radio a few days ago, and ministers Austin Gatt and Carm Mifsud Bonnici, whose resignations he has demanded.
Dr Muscat opened the debate by saying the Opposition would hold the Prime Minister to account on the stability yardstick Dr Gonzi himself set on Sunday, when he said any solution to the crisis must be clear, unconditional and long-term.
In a 20-minute speech, Dr Muscat outlined the different possible outcomes to Thursday’s vote and showed how neither option would provide durable stability.
Most of the government speakers focused on what they said were the Opposition’s lack of policies and opportunism rather than the issues raised by Dr Debono.
Health Minister Joe Cassar spoke of the government’s successes in healthcare.
Although he admitted to not being perfect, he said he saw no reason to show lack of confidence in the government.
MP Francis Zammit Dimech accused the Opposition of giving no reasons for its motion and lashed out at Dr Muscat for coming up with calculations where he wins regardless of the vote. He said the calculations were similar to those made by the Labour Party when it insisted it had won the EU referendum by counting those who had abstained.
MP Frederick Azzopardi spoke about the government’s economic successes and said the Opposition’s motion was not in the national interest because the economic circumstances demanded stability.
The Prime Minister’s younger brother, Michael Gonzi, was the only one who addressed the issues raised by Dr Debono.
He said he had sat on the backbench for two legislatures and disagreed several times with decisions taken, but never threatened to bring down the government, partly because those in Cabinet and their experts had more access to the bigger picture.
He said Dr Debono’s ideas on home affairs and justice were valid but had never been spoken about so forcefully and democracy never suffered because they were not implemented with urgency.
After his speech, Dr Gonzi engaged in conversation with Dr Debono.
Only around 30 members of the public attended the sitting but many more seemed to follow it online, judging by the amount of running commentaries seen on Facebook.
The debate continues this evening. Dr Debono is expected to address the House tomorrow.
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Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 25th, 11:14
@ Philip Hili (25 Jan at 01:04)
I must admit that I had never heard that Maltese proverb before. I like it and | propose to follow it by not wasting water and soap trying to improve the appearance of donkeys. Thank you.
Philip Hili
Jan 26th, 00:41
@ Francis Saliba M.D.
It's useless to try to explain to who he does not want to listen!!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 24th, 16:12
Evidently, the concluding part of my penultimate paragraph (@Ronald Zammit 24 Jan at 11:40) should read " ... I deny that I am an “ARROGANT, INCOMPETENT, OUTDATED” I did not give him any unsolicited advice.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 24th, 15:56
@ Andrew Camilleri. (Today, 11:15)
You are mixing up “democracy” with “proportional representation”. They are not the same. Many undoubted democracies (including the U.K) do not practice “proportional representation” at all. Others use a hybrid adaptation. Malta is one such democracy. Our constitution abandons strict proportionality whenever gerrymandering gives more seats to a political party with a minority of votes.
Experience has taught us that the essential requirement for governance is stability and empowering the party that obtained the higher number of votes to govern and that one maverick dissenting MP from the ruling party, with his own selfish ambitious agenda should not be able to scupper parliament by frustrating the duly elected government and by mocking the opposition with the tantalising prospect of a premature election.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 24th, 13:36
@ Ronald Zammit. (24 Jan at 11:40)
Keep on wondering because my views way back in 1998 have no bearing on the present situation and I do not expediently adjust my reasoning according to which political party happens to be governing. In my opinion any political party that is democratically elected to govern, should be allowed to govern according to its mandate. That government should not be held hostage by any of its members who would be acting according to his own personal agenda whilst thwarting the will of the majority of the electors and its elected representatives.
I was only a hapless bystander in the Mintoff-Sant confrontation; so, please do not ask me questions about that MLP debacle. Sant chose to raise a minor Cottonera issue to a vote of confidence when he had a majority of one seat. He did so without asking my advice and contrary to what you think, and because I deny that I am not “ARROGANT, INCOMPETENT, OUTDATED” I did not give him any unsolicited advice.
N.B. The Nationalist Party is not mine and it is not a “so called Nationalist Party”. It is really and truly the governing, correctly named, Nationalist Part,y no matter how unpalatable that fact is to you.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 24th, 14:21
Very convenient reply. As usual of the Gonzi PN supporters: face them with facts and they run away! So why on earth do you comment if you can't face facts?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 24th, 16:42
@ Andrew Camilleri.
I am not running away - if anything I am wasting too much of my time rebutting your unsubstantiated opinions. You have not mentioned any "facts" . You only mentioned personal opinions that I challenged by quoting easily ascertainable facts. t I try to explain to you in simple English that anybody should be able to understand. That is not "running away".
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 24th, 12:55
@ Andrew Camilleri. (Today, 11:15)
You are mixing up “democracy” with “proportional representation”. They are not the same. Many undoubted democracies (including the U.K) do not practice “proportional representation” at all. Others use a hybrid adaptation. Malta is one such democracy. Our constitution abandons strict proportionality whenever gerrymandering gives more seats to a political party with a minority of votes.
Experience has taught us that the essential requirement for governance is stability and empowering the party that obtained the higher number of votes to govern. One maverick dissenting MP from the ruling party, with his own selfish ambitious agenda does not represent the electoral majority. He should not be able to scupper an entire parliament by frustrating the duly elected government at the same time mocking the opposition with the tantalising prospect of a premature election.
Ronald Zammit
Jan 24th, 11:40
To All Gonzipn sympathizers on this page, especially Francis Saliba :- I wonder what were your views and believes way back in 1998 when the then Labour Government led by Dr. Alfred Sant had a one seat majority and had to step down due to well known events at that point in time ?! Did, then any one of you ever expressed concern about this ONE SEAT MAJORITY ? Of course NOT!!! On the contrary, you and your so called Nationalist Party were sooooooooo very eager to see the downfall of the Labour Government. Dr Sant had accepted the fact that he could not govern with an on going instability (which was harming the country) and was gentleman enough to dissolve parliament and call for an early election. In the present situation, the scenario is quite similar and Dr. Muscat is totally correct in stating that " Instability no matter the outcome on thursday " as Gonzipn cannot govern with a defected "Majority". More than this, no matter what you Gonzipn sympathisers think or believe.. the majority of us Maltese & Gozitans people are sick and tired of this ARROGANT, INCOMPETENT,OUTDATED Gonzipn which is steady fast nearing to an end........
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 24th, 11:33
@ Mr J Xerri (24 Jan at 10:57)
The present crisis teaches us that we should be concerned primarily with providing the nation with a functioning stable democratic government running the country according to the expressed wishes of the majority of the electorate. The overriding principle should be stable democratic governance.
Strict “proportional representation” susceptible as it is to flagrant distortion by calculated gerrymandering is of secondary importance. Many democracies, including the UK Westminster model, dispense with it altogether whilst others opt for a “first past the post system” or for a hybrid voting system.
Philip Hili
Jan 25th, 01:04
@ Francis Saliba M.D.
Dr. Saliba, ma tafux il-qawl Malti li jghid:- "TAHSEL RAS IL-HMAR BIEX TAHLI L-ILMA S-SAPUN U Z-ZMIEN"
Karl Abela
Jan 24th, 11:17
Labour is inducing instability with psychological methods.
Instability, instability, instability, instability, instability…
Oh, and yet again more instability, Instability…
Do you get my point? You will actually start to believe that there is instability… and that is where the danger lies… if the country starts believing it then the cash flow will stop and the country is thrown into a recession.
Great job Joseph, for ruining this country from the opposition benches. The instability song will remain Labour’s tune when they realize that the election will remain elusive.
Last week Super One mentioned that all shops are empty because of this parliamentary instability….oh give us a break, this is utter bull crap. What is labout thinking?
What do people care about what’s happening in parliament? Many many people don’t even have a clue of what is going on. So how does Joseph Muscat really conclude that there is instability? I challenge Super One to go to a corner store and ask a housewive about the situation and I will bet my life that she will just stare you in the face or else will simply repeat what Joseph Muscat said (which does not necessarily mean that she understands it.)
We continue to live our lives, work, play, etc, etc. What is Joseph Muscat expecting? To act like some die hard laburist and stand still all day in front of Super One to wait for the election that never came? To hell with that, we have lives to live and will all continue our way.
Willie Grech
Jan 24th, 11:57
@ Karl Abela.
Did you see the article on The Times regarding the IMF's warning to Malta of today? I hope you will not suggest that IMF is run by Dr Muscat?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120124/local/IMF-calls-for-more-reforms.403679
Karl Abela
Jan 24th, 12:56
@Willie Grech
Tpoggiex kliem f'halqi.
I will NOT suggest that IMF is run by Dr Muscat. I am not that type. My IQ is far higher than that. I will leave that for other individuals who do not have a solid argument on the topic.
I am well aware of the warning by the IMF to Malta and other EU countries. But a warning is just a warning. If appropriate action is taken you can change direction in time. it does however indicate that things are not rosy.
It is precisely this article that you suggested that strenghtens my argument. Difficult times ahead, but if someone ignorant like Joseph Muscat keeps brainwashing people of instability, then if Malta was on the edge, this will throw it over the edge. People will just stop spending, investment will stop and unemployments rockets sky high.
This is my point.
This is why you cant trust Labour. Not because they are Labour, but because Joseph Muscat (and I suspect he is doing it unknowingly) are messing around with our jobs as long as it means pulling down the government.
We have already seen Joseph Muscat indulging in dirty tactics in the past.
It was Joseph Muscat himself who took part in the campaing against Malta joining the EU, and he almost ruined our chances.
I can NEVER forgive him for that.
Willie Grech
Jan 24th, 17:15
@ Karl Abela.
putting words in your mouth was never my intention. But reading your blog one would imagine that the current instability in our country was something invented by Joseph Muscat. That's why I brought to your attention the IMF warning.
Your vile attacks on Dr. Muscat gives you away as a person hating all that is representing the PL and making you a staunch PN supporter. I don't have a problem with that except that when putting forward an argument, one should do so with an open mind whatever his/her beliefs are.
Your way of thinking that because the leader of the Opposition speaks about something which is known to everyone, " are messing around with our jobs as long as it means pulling down the government." is hardly plausable. How could someone, by saying what is obvious is playing with your jobs?
After all, this instability, because we do have, unfortunately instability in our country, was brought by the rift between Franco Debono and the Prime Minister and not by Joseph Muscat.
Willie Grech
Jan 24th, 10:52
Some bloggers here seem to make note of FDs indication that he might abstain, thus leaving the government and the country hanging. Joseph Muscat's statement, " Instability no matter the outcome" too seems to take us that way. The way these bloggers argued tends to give us the notion, 'better the devil you know.' Why? They also give the impression that if we are still to live in instability, why change?
Instead of putting on all this gloom, perhaps these bloggers care to explain one simple situation according also to next Thursday's possible outcome:
1. If FDs vote is a YES, then most probably it would be a 35-34 result. This should lead to the government going to the President either to select another Prime Minister or go for an early election.
2. If FDs vote would be an ABSTENTION, then the probable result would be 34 in favour, 34 against with 1 abstention. This would leave the country in complete darkness because although the vote of no confidence would no go through, the government would also know that he has lost his majority.
Now, you bloggers which one of these two options would you REALLY and HONESTLY prefer? An election to elect a new government, whoever that might be and fix this instability or remain the rest of the 14 month legislature not knowing where the government stands?
P.S. Please be true to yourself and don't give me any crap that it is not in the country's interest to go for an early election. We all heard that before!!!!!!
F. Pisani
Jan 24th, 10:29
The one seat majority is likely to be the future of the Maltese parliament. People no longer are totally red or totally blue. So by Mr. Muscat saying that Instability will prevail is another way to confuse people minds. Grow up Mr. Muscat.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 24th, 09:58
"Instability no matter the outcome ”.(Tuesday, January 24, 2012 , by Christian Peregin)
Let us be honest with ourselves, please. This country will NEVER get government stability irrespective of the result of the “no confidence” motion as long as we have two nearly equally balanced major political parties on the island, and as long as the districts continue to be gerrymandered. The predictable result would be frequent weak governments with a majority of only one seat at the mercy of the "honesty and integrity" of any single parliamentary deputy of the ruling party.
The on-going blandishments by the opposition, aimed specifically at one dissident NP backbencher enticing him to bring down the government during a difficult time of an international economy crisis, have been absolutely sickening and shocking.
The democratic solution is simple if our politicians really want a stable government as desired by the majority of the electorate. The political party polling the largest number of votes and invited by the President to form the government must be allocated a sufficient number of seats e.g. three seats to free it from the despotic control of any maverick disloyal member of parliament.
Mr J Xerri
Jan 24th, 10:57
According to your argument a party with a majority of few hundred votes could be allocated six extra seats in Parliament, while a small party with thousands of votes, which doesn't manage to get a whole quote in any of the districts, wouldn't be allocated any seats.
After all this is not a question of how big is the majority, but of management and governing. After all both Mr Mintoff in 1971 and Dr Fenech Adami in 1987 managed to govern without any instability despite the fact that they had a one seat majority in Parliament.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:15
Dr. Saliba: your "democratic solution" is not democratic at all! The number of seats should always reflect the number of votes. Adding extra seats is giving extra power to the Govt. The problems I see are two: an electoral system that needs to be overhauled so that we get the right results, i.e. the number of seats reflecting the number of votes; and that each party needs a strong leader. Dr. EFA lead a Govt for five years with a one-seat majority and did not have the problems Dr. Gonzi is having now (and do not forget that it is not only Dr FD who is dissenting). So I would conclude that it is the style of Dr. Gonzi's leadership that is creating this problem. Lets not fall into the trap of accomodating a leader whose time is up.
Mr Joe Pak
Jan 24th, 09:54
"The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying"! Aha, so Franco is into Tibetian Buddhism...reading about and seeking to understand the true meaning of life, and how to accept (political?) death. Small wonder he appears to be so prepared for self-immolation.
I really feel sorry for him, because had he acted in a more Christian (rather than Buddhist) manner, he would have done his brave bit just the same, and made his point (which many of us appreciate) without committing political suicide.
Malta needs brave and honest politicians - but we will never have them if they end up killing themselves politically.
Franco, I hope that book tells you how to reincarnate and come back (quickly) into the political arena...and give you another chance to do your bit for the country.
James Dimech
Jan 24th, 09:53
It is true instability will prevail regardless of the vote. But we will then be in a worse situation when Labour is elected - with the likes of Anglu Farrugia and Tony Abela running our country and with a Joseph Muscat who does not know where to start from as he spent all his time building his personality cult and his image rather than thinking of what PL is going to do when they are elected.
What a mess. Ara vera kaz minn "got-tagen ghal gon-nar"
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:18
Mr.Dimech: do you know that our Minister of Finance was just a simple accountant in an audit firm before he became minister? He tried to learn (I won't say he did because he did not) - so why not give a chance to others who may prove themselves better that the Gonzi gang?
James Dimech
Jan 24th, 14:14
@ Andrew Camilleri
Mr Camilleri we already gave people like Anglu Farrugia, Karmenu Vella a chance. And the results were far from good !