Franco Debono abstains, no confidence motion defeated with casting vote
Franco Debono abstained in the confidence vote in the government today, but the Opposition's no confidence motion was defeated with the Speaker's Casting vote after a tie of 34 votes in favour and 34 votes against.
Debono took a step back from his previous declarations, opting to abstain rather than vote against the four-year-old Gonzi administration, thus ensuring its survival.
The result means that, legally, the government can carry on, although questions will be raised about its stability and ability to govern, particularly since Dr Debono has declared that he will not support the government.
It still has to be seen whether he will back the government on important legislation, including two money bills which are already before the House - or whether the government will depend on the Speaker's casting vote.
The Prime Minister has already hinted that a tie would be an unsatisfactory solution to the current crisis.
Dr Debono spoke yesterday and lashed out at the government for failing to push forward what he said were much-needed reforms of the Constitution and the institutions which provide for effective democracy. He also insisted that ministers should account for their actions, and resign when they failed, rather than act like they lived on a different planet than the rest of the people. He also complained that his protests to date within the organs of the Nationalist Party and the government, had not been heeded, leading to him to his current actions.
Earlier this week he had indicated that he might abstain rather than vote against the government, saying that this would throw the ball into the government's court and leave it up to the prime minister to take the decisions that were needed.
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kathleen Parsons
Jan 27th, 09:42
I would love to know more about ACTA thankyou:)
G Mangion
Jan 27th, 09:32
Dr Franco Debono, issa ma ghadux l 'eroj tal mlp heq ! dawn hasbu li sa jimpresjonawh bil comments mimlija xama, li ghadhom ma indunawx hu, li l' Mp's Kolla ta naha tal - Gvern fil P.N ghandhom Sahha li Jistaw Jikritikaw fejn jahsbu li hemm bzonn anke lil gvern tighu stess ! haga li mlp and co Ma Jistawx Jamlu, ghallkemm Jixtiquwa Hafna ! Progressivi dawn hekk nibqaw. Issa J' Alla li Bil Kliem serju u ta Rgiel int u il P.M
taslu ghall konklusjoni tajba ghall gid ta Malta Kolla ( personalment nejd li taslu ) kif dejjm sar fil - kamp Nazzjonalista, Proset .
G. Mangion.
Mr C Camilleri
Jan 27th, 08:51
Franco ... hsibniek ragel tal-kelma. Apparentament hsibna hazin. Mur studja kif izzomm kelmtek forsi ggib 100 u titghallem xi haga li hafna membri nazzjonalisti ghadhom ma tghallmux - li meta tghid haga zzomm maghha !
Kummiedja shiha u hela ta hin.
albert galea
Jan 27th, 08:27
Gonzi ma jerfax responsabiklita, Debono jahrab minnha.
Joe Fenech
Jan 27th, 09:09
Good way of seeing it !
John Scerri
Jan 27th, 08:13
Minn dawn il hafna li l-ewwel ghamluha fatta li Dr.Debono kien ser iwaqqa l-gvern bill jivvota favur u f'daqqa wahda daru kontrih ghax astjena itina x'nifmu li tal -Labour ghandhom policy ta ...UZA E GETTA.
B Borg
Jan 27th, 08:56
Actually was Franco who said few minutes after the reshuffle that he will vote against the government and Gonzi has to call for early elections....but Gonzi is a winner, Franco is and will remain a loser
F. Pisani
Jan 27th, 08:05
thus the comments below suggest that know that franco has abstain, know he is no longer your hero?
patrick atkins
Jan 27th, 07:57
Prosit Franco, rajthom lill dawk li kienu qed jimlewk bix xama x'fatta hargu kontriek. Il-maskra tal verita inkixfet.
Joe E Galea
Jan 27th, 09:03
Mela sa jumejn ilu lil Franco Debono ridtu taghmluh barbecue u spare ribs u llum qed tilghaquh u tfahhruh. Halluna.
L-ebda MP minn naha tal-PL qatt ma semma lil FD bhala hero. Get your facts right.
Joe Fenech
Jan 27th, 07:45
Some days ago I wrote this on The Times (O M):
This is a two-face situation:
1) Franco has been brilliant at highlighting a lot of malfunctions that are bringing the country down. Malta has had people just coming out of tal-Qroqq university and with no track record, let alone a brilliant one, appointed by ministers to head its white elephants like Smart City. Malta has seen its ecology and landscape ruined; has flooded with dodgy foreign businessmen who use it for tax evasion hence the many appartments bought but not lived in; education is producing more illiterate young people than ever in the last 50 years. The list goes on and on!
2) Where Franco is wrong is that he thinks it is his right to become a minister. Like all the other ministers, he has no brilliant, international track record. Who cares if he's been a brilliant student?! And what a childish thing to say...! Today in Germany, Italy , France, Spain, UK, Russia, USA, Canada, etc - many people with PhDs and top qualifications from top universities work as mainstream school teachers, shop managers, run small businesses, sometimes they're unemployed . Many doctors in Russia work as part-time salesmen, and so forth. THAT IS THE WORLD OF TODAY! Now, you don't have a degree from a top university, and neither a brilliant track record so you are no different to those who are in politics in Malta (except the very few like Alfred Sant) - YOU ARE NOT GOD'S SENT !
Simon Micallef
Jan 27th, 07:45
Dr Debono hsibna li fl ahhar hemm Nazzjonalist progressiv, imma ergajna koppi, inzertajt wiehed minn hafna. Titkellem ,titkellem, retorika kontra retorika, imma mbaghad jibghad ghalik il kbir li jmur fl Ewropa u jsalva l problemi tal Ewropa ,imur il Libja u jsalva l problemi tal pajjizi Gharab kollha u bhal tifel li xebaw jaghjruk ,taqa ghat tghedid. Dr Debono jidispjacini ghalik, xorta tlift postok fil parlament u stajt bezbizt lil dan il gvern li skont int hemm il klikkek, arroganza, korruzzjoni u hadt ma rezenja u int ma zammejtx kellmtek.
Joe Fenech
Jan 27th, 09:10
Il-Gahan Malti is an indoctrinated beast so progress has not place on this island !
Joe Zahra
Jan 27th, 07:44
Dr De Bono,
You either have the courage of your convictions or you don't. By abstaining you obviously don't!
Noel Mifsud
Jan 27th, 05:04
Proset tal punti li qajjimt Dr Debono, imma bil mod li agixxejt issa gejt qed taqbel maghhom. Nispera li it telf ta fiducja li kellek fil PM issa sibta u u nahseb li issa sirt tapoggja l klikek li semmejt. Nispera li in nies ta Mxlokk u BBugia jaqblu mijak fuq il Power Station. Fuq lOnorarja proset li mort mal karru ta GOnzi, ghalkemm kont tlift il fiducja fih. Imma issa se nitolbok BHALA MALTI veru jekk jogbok ieqaf b dawn il kummiedji u hallih l gvern jahdem bil kwiet. Grazzi
Mr C Galea
Jan 27th, 02:19
A CIRCUS OF EVENTS. P. N. GO AWAY
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 26th, 23:18
Dr. Debono first you done a lot of noise than when you came to the crunch you pulled back might as well you said nothing and Dr.Gonzi still in power so what are you going to do now what" next. you don"t deserve to be a Minister of parlament, I thought that one day Malta would have a Prime Minister with a backbone to stand up for the Maltese people..
B Borg
Jan 26th, 21:56
Dr Franco, in the last weeks you was on every news item possible, airing your feelings left, right and centre. Then when your opinion really mattered you abstained like you don’t care anymore...why?
Francis Attard
Jan 26th, 20:46
Issa erga ibda imxi seat, seat fil-parlament Dr Debono sakemm terga tasal hdejn shabek il-"backbenchers" u erga ibda newwah forsi fl'ahhar jekk ma jikkonvincukx biex tirrizenja jaghmlu dak li jmisshom ilhom li ghamlu, ikeccuk.
Tony Borg
Jan 27th, 07:57
Kemm int Vojt Cikk...Mhux ahjar taghra xtghamel int l-ewwel?? Franco qedgha dmirhu u kixex il maskri tal Ministri izda nies bhalek l-anqas biss jindunghaw, jew ma tridux.
mark borg
Jan 26th, 20:31
DIga qed nara il-karrijiet tal karnival tieghek Dr Debono !
Philip Hili
Jan 26th, 20:46
@ mark borg
Spicca t-tifhir tieghek lejn Dr. Franco Debono? U x'minthomx OQBRA MBAJDA!!!!
Mela issa Dr. Debono, ghax gharaf it-tajjeb mill-hazin, gharaf li Dr. Emails qieghed jinqeda bieh, ma ghadux hero taghkom?
Come one hypocrites!!!!!!!!
mark borg
Jan 26th, 20:30
Il-Kuimmissarju tal-pulizija ghandu jibda jinvestiga serjamnent dan il -kaz ta allegazzjonijiet serji min dan il backbencher fuq l-affarijiet kollha li-zvela fuq il-klikka tal Prim Ministru . JM jirraporta Brussells b'dawn l-istejjer u li il-gvern ta Malta m'ghandux aktar il-maggoranza parlamentari.
Philip Hili
Jan 27th, 00:48
@ mark borg
Mela! mela! Hekk imissu jaghmel!! pero' mhux jibghat EMAIL ta!!!
Michael Attard
Jan 26th, 20:28
Dear Franco it takes a great man to fight against all odds for what he beleives and an even greater man to compromise for the good of his fellow members.
Joe Fenech
Jan 27th, 07:40
The noble man has courage and follows his plans through.
mark borg
Jan 26th, 20:25
Mhux ta b'xejn beda jferfer ir rizultat ta form 2 ghax dan kelma tat tfal ghandu !
mark borg
Jan 26th, 20:22
........every man has his price or Franco mixtri mil - klikka !
Alfred Falzon
Jan 28th, 17:01
@ mark borg
Look around you and get a glimse of those who are now joining the PL bandwagon!
Aren't they pretty, all birds of a feather?!
Alfred A. Falzon
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jan 26th, 20:02
Are we Maltese now entitled to think of Franco as Franco the Gutless? What agreement was entered into between him and the Party, I ask? He spoke of accountability, I speak of transparency. Neither the PN nor the PL should consider having him as one of their candidates for the coming election.
Joe Fenech
Jan 26th, 20:25
SPOT ON ! He's just ANOTHER Maltese person: a lot of talk but no backbone. The potential Mercury is nothing but another Gahan Malti!
Joe Fenech
Jan 26th, 20:27
And I though he might be the one who'll be bringing the Maghreb revolution spirit that is currently in the air to Malta. But the Gahan Malti is a slave of indoctrination and he'll never change.
Andy Farrugia
Jan 26th, 20:28
Hahaha! First you wax lyrical about FD's democratic credentials and now you disparage him! FD may be gutless but you are definitely GORMLESS!
Joe Fenech
Jan 26th, 22:09
Andy, FD come up with valid reasons for voting in favour of the 'no confidence' motion. But he promised but did not delivered so he's a fallen hero. Only the weak abstain.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jan 26th, 22:45
Andy, I admired him for his principled stand to the point of sending him a Facebook message of support. But as the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. He may have passed his secondary exams with flying colours. He may also be Malta's leading criminal lawyer (at least according to him). But he should have had the guts to either vote for or against the motion. Sitting on the fence is no place for a politician with principles. Instead he chose to wound a government. I suspect his strategy of a death by a thousand cuts will continue as this will be the only way he will continue to be the prima donna. Either major party will be mad to have him as a candidate. They will lose all credibility. The introduction by him of the party finances legislation was merely a face-saver.
Mr Tony Gauci
Jan 26th, 20:00
Well Franco beda tajjeb imma spicca kif ghid jien, waste of time ghal kullhadd, kieku rid jamel li qal huwa triq wahda kellu cara li jivota KONTRA, kif ivota ma bidel xejn anzi ikomplika il kobba issa. Pero liktar li thaqt meta reporter tan nazjon staqsa li Joseph ax uza kument bejn is similarita bejn li gara illum fil parlament u meta f'80's Mintoff kin gab il magoranza ta sigijit imma mux il magoranza ta voti. Gurnalist bhal dak qal li ma femx is similarita bejn dawn iz zewg sitwazjonijiet , nahseb anke tifel ta l'iskola kin jifem xi tfiser "kostizjonalment tkun korret imma moralment tkun skorret ma hemx alfejn tmur universita bix tifem nahseb!!!"
Reg Fitzpatrick
Jan 26th, 19:54
Mr Gonzi and the PN Party just make sure this puffed-up, self-important Buffoon is deselected by the party for the next general election!
You need genuine, talented and hard working people in government, no matter what party, NOT individuals who feel they can take advantage of a Government with a tiny majority and blackmail themselves into a position of power!
Who would trust such a man in any important position, no matter what his party?
Martin Cole
Jan 26th, 23:12
Well said!
ted darmanin
Jan 26th, 19:52
Franco you first betrayed your party, then those that voted for you and today you betrayed your country.
Your opponents were right, you only want to work for your personal interests.
R. Cilia
Jan 26th, 19:39
Franco Debono, one maltese proverb says it all- Kelb li jinbah ma jigdimx.
Joseph Borg
Jan 27th, 01:17
Ejja hdejn tieghi, ha tara jigdemx. :P
Joseph Sammut
Jan 27th, 05:41
Taf li mhux il-klieb kolla tal-kacca huma tajbin: hemm dawk li ma jghamlux xogholhom sewwa w jigu mwarba?
Maria Mangion
Jan 26th, 19:36
kont hsibt li flahhar faqqas xi hadt li lest li jieqaf lil min hu arroganti. pero zbaljajt, Franco jekk ma kellekx il kuragg iddahhal il vapur il port kien imissek hallejt il gvern jadem fil kwiet u bqajt issaffar fuq il bank ta' wara. la naf nidhak u l anqas nibki meta niftakar b dak kollu li atribwejt li klikka tal gvern biex issa hallejt lil kulhadd jizfen fin nofs b astensjoni. miskina Malta.
G Mangion
Jan 26th, 19:27
Joe Fenech
Issa qed tighdlu hekk lil Mp Franco !! ghax ma tefax lil Malta fl' Ifern ?
Kemm fahhartu qabel il - Lum taf tisthi jew !
G. Mangion
Joe Fenech
Jan 26th, 20:24
What do you mean by QED TGHIDU? I'm no LP guy you dodo! I've been away for over 50 years and have never been in any business with Malta.
Just to get this right: a politician who abstains and does not follow through with his plans should resign.
robert pace
Jan 26th, 20:38
Zommuh maghkom mghandniex bzonnu u lanqas il gvern mghandna bzonn ahna niehdu pjacir naraw is show kuljum daqqa pullicino orlando daqqa Farrugia daqqa Arrigo u daqqa Debono min imiss!!
Forsi irrid jiehu il Uniflu Gonzi hahaha
Philip Hili
Jan 26th, 20:50
@ Joe Fenech
U issa mmbilli qieghed tghid " I've been away for over 50 years and have never been in any business with Malta." tahseb li xi hadd ser jemmnek!!! Kemm hsibtna bciecen.
Joe Fenech
Jan 26th, 22:19
Philip Hili : I guess you're another Gahan! I don't need approval from you.You're another indoctrinated person for whom being free spirited is inconceivable. Don't forget that your PN wanted to send free spirited thinkers like Norman Lowell to jail.
All I know is that Malta remains a symbol of incompetence, corruption, amateurism.
NO ONE WILL CHANGE THAT AS IL-GAHAN MALTI IS A SLAVE. HE IS INDOCTRINATED, TOO PROUD TO CHANGE AND TOO IGNORANT TO SEE IT!
Philip Hili
Jan 27th, 11:59
@ Joe Fenech
Poor Joe Fenech!!!, calm down, calm down!!!
Thank you for confirming what I have written!
Taf li Gahan jaghraf lil GAHAN IEHOR???? u forsi dan ikollu "bieb warajh"!!!
Hallina Maaannnn!!!!! Min kollox qeghdin taghmlu. Bhal l-avukatessa Deborha Schembri. L-ahhar li rajta fuq it-TV xi gimgha ilu qalet li hi Nazzjonalista u ghamlet appell lin-Nazzjonalisti ohra biex johorgu mal-PL!!!! Kieku jien mhinix minn pajjiza, Haz-Zebbug (Malta) forsi tbellahhieli, imma li jien Zebbugi u nafa sewwa NINI NINI NGHIDILHA LIL Dr. Schembri.
JEKK MA TIMBIDLUX, JEW TBIDDLLU L-ATTEGGJAMENT, fl-Oppozizzjoni kontu, fl-oppozizzjoni ghadkhom, u fl-oppozizzjoni ser tibqghu!!! Ghalxejn tixtru lill-gurnalisti u ma nafx x'hiex izjed biex tingannaw. Il-poplu jaf lilkom u jaf lill-Partit Nazzjonalista.
Joe Busuttil
Jan 26th, 19:27
What a waste of time and energy,Franco. We are back to square one and what's more no one is going to take you seriously anymore. Either Gonzi deserves your vote or he doesn't. There is no middle way.
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 26th, 19:01
Dr. Debono wants to change the Party and not the government, I agree with him that the PN needs to change. How ignorant certain people are not to understand something so simple. We are in the EU and not in North Africa a year ago. When Dr. Sant had the same problem he went for election strait away.
J. Borg
Jan 26th, 20:54
Well, I think Dr Debono wants a change both in the Party and also in the way Government is managed. Let us hope that some good can be extruded from all this discussion..............
raymond scicluna
Jan 26th, 18:56
NO ONE IS GREATER THAN THE PARTY DR DEBONO!!
Alfred Falzon
Jan 26th, 19:09
@ raymond scicluna
The Nation and the people who vote and LEND temporal power to a Party of their choice on condition that it remains loyal to their aspirations!
Are you now quoting the "Great Leader" Kim il-Sung of North Korean fame or do you feel like joking?!
Alfred A. Falzon
raymond scicluna
Jan 26th, 18:53
Alpha Omega. Likewise to good things even evil things thankfully comes to an end. I really hope that i will not see His photo, his statements, his press releases, his interviews and anything related to him. I had enough of Debono so please after so much limelight stay in the cold shade. You entered into an alley where abstaining, voting in favour and against the PL private bill would have simply endangered your personality whilst eradicating your hope that you will ever become a minister let alone a prime minister. You used to comment on my facebook that one should leave others to judge your performance and yes i am one of the many that will remember you for your hard headedness which lead you nowhere. What kills is seeing the prime minister and all those alike who really suffered physically immensely due to your insensive outburst. Grow up and get a life!!
karl john
Jan 26th, 18:42
isssa oghqod urihom lil Gonzi ta ir-rizultati ta exami franco forsi jixtrijlek prize :) le le sorry diga tak uwx probabli :) min njaf x`tak eeee kemm flus ghidilna ghidilna........ big mouth
Joe Fenech
Jan 26th, 18:23
Franco: buffoon who's no different to any politician. A lot of talk but no guts
Speaker: boot licking PN slave
Victor Buhagiar
Jan 26th, 18:22
Dr Franco Debono is nothing more than a petty politician creating such havoc in our political system to finally abstain.
Do us ALL Maltese a favour and get out of the way since you did not have the guts your projected like most of the lot in Parliament "Paroli si Fatti No" Franco
Paolo Bugeja
Jan 26th, 18:19
How can any person abstain? One can be in favour or against but not abstain!! He has certainly not been voted for to abstain in Parliament!!
Joe Fenech
Jan 26th, 18:24
Exact! That is not doing your job and should be considered as professional misconduct.
Joe Fenech
Jan 26th, 18:15
Now do one thing Franco, GET LOST !
Stephen Mangion
Jan 26th, 17:53
He had to eat his own words.
silvio loporto
Jan 26th, 18:16
At least Franco proved something to-day.
That he is nothing but a big mouth.
Joe Fenech
Jan 26th, 18:26
Silvio and Stephen: SPOT ON !
Mr saviour magro
Jan 26th, 17:35
Issa li il-vot ittiehed.li hu zgur hu li il-mozzjoni intilfet u bhal ma hu zgur li GonziPn tilef il-maggoranza fl-ghola isstituzzjoni li huwa il-Parlament.min dak li qal FD u min dak li ghamel xhin gie ghal vot FD jikkonferma li issa ghadna 2 ostaggi fil-Parlament.(ostagg A-GonziPN u ostagg B-Franco Debono)F'kelma wahda issa biex nimxu il-quddiem irridu niddependu min dawn it-tnejn min nies u kif jibdew ihokku dar xulxin nimxu.intom tahsbu li ghalxejn li FD ressaq il-Private motion rigward il-finanzi tal-partit? u xhinu gej iktar il-quddiem manafux, dejjem jekk il PN jibqgha sa l-ahhar ta din il-legistratura u jibqa iggranfat mal poter ?Li kieku FD ivvota favur il-mozzjoni il-karriera ta FD fil-kamp tal PN (u legislatura ta dan il-gvern) kienet tkun mitmuma u ovvja mhux ax issa salva ruhu bl-asstensjoni ghax still manafux xse jigri mill karriera ta FD imma ghalinqas ta nifs lil PN jirpilja naqra minn skoss qawwi ta FD.Issa niehdu pacenzja noqghodu kwieti u naraw xse jigri biss jekk l-istabilita tal pajjiz mhux se tigi ghan normalita tkun responsabilita tal priministru ghax il hsara tista tkun kbira.tinsewx l-ahwa tieghi li jigri xjigri kulhadd irrid ibghati il-konsegwenzi wara.u wara kollox meta tigi l-elezzjoni jaf jerga jkun il-PN fi tmexxija tal pajjiz.F'dak il-kaz jajdu min xarbu kielu il-bakkaljaw. jekk jitla il-Labour irrid ibghati il-konsegwenzi ta min ma kienx ressponsabli u qatt iggebbed iz-zmien fl- interess tal-partit tieghu u mhux fl-interess ta Nazzjon.
Charles Busuttil
Jan 26th, 17:32
What was your prize or your price?
G. Curmi
Jan 26th, 17:00
As reluctant as one might be to make any reference to the regicidal and genocidal dictator Oliver Cromwell, one feels duty-bound to address the following words by Cromwell directly at Franco Debono ... “You have been sat too long here (in Malta’s Legislative Assembly) for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!”
Mr Anton Grech
Jan 26th, 17:24
Precisely! 100% in agreement with you. FD take note and show at least a shred of decency - RESIGN - and let the nation get on with its business. In the meantime - grow up.
All Maltese, especially the whiners, naysayers, and bellyachers - might consider following this link - http://www.bloomberg.com/video/83826848/. Considering the financial instability in the rest of the world, it might provide comfort in knowing that outsiders and foreigners have more confidence in Malta than many Maltese.
Noel Cuschieri
Jan 27th, 02:00
Franco Debono CANNOT BE TRUSTED any more. We do not want politicians like you. This U-turn of yours is a whole farce!! PLEASE DO THE HONOURABLE AND GO, and let your place be taken by someone more reliable and consistent.
Vincent Galea
Jan 26th, 16:59
To-night Franco, may you be blessed with a very peaceful sleep and a very clear dream. And may your dream come true for the good.
Dream big Franco........or go back to sleep a little bit longer.
M. Bezzina
Jan 26th, 16:58
Ma kellix dubju li jastjeni FD.Imma issa ghandu jalaq halqu u jhalli l gvern jahdem!!!!
Joseph Cini
Jan 26th, 18:36
NAQBEL MIEGHEK PERFETTAMENT U GHANDU JURI LI HU RAGEL U JKOMPLI JAHDEM MAL PARTIT GHAL MALTA.
Paul Portelli
Jan 26th, 16:53
Debono took a step back from his previous declarations, opting to abstain rather than vote against the four-year-old Gonzi administration, thus ensuring its survival.
DON'T TALK NO MORE ON GONZI'S CLIKKA BOYS FRANCO AS YOU KEPT THEM ALIVE AND BACKED THEM ALL WAY. WITH YOUR HANDS ON YOUR CONSCIENCE FRANCO YOU HAVE BETRAYED THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM THE GONZIPN REGIM .YOU HAVE NOT PUT THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE FIRST AS YOU SAID ALL YOU DID WAS HELP THE GONZI CLIKKA CONTINUE TO PASS AS BULL DOWSERS ON THE PEOPLE.
DO YOU THINK THAT THE PN IS GOING TO FORGET WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO THEM?DO YOU THINK THAT YOU HAVE SPACE ANY MORE THERE?
WHAT THEY DO NOW IS KEEP YOU QUITE TILL THEY DECIDE ELECTION TIME IS THERE AND THEN THEY TROUGH YOU AT THE MAGHTAB LANDFILL BELIEVE ME
R. Borg
Jan 26th, 16:47
In my opinion Franco Debono is unable to take a decision and therefore from now onwards he should zip his mouth and follow his leader's orders. You are no good for politics.
Karl Vella
Jan 26th, 16:39
34 - 34 Iva rebhu il PN jigu...... ghax la il-vot ta sfiducja itihed mil-labour , biex jirbhu ridu jgibu maggoranza!!! .... Dan bhal football... Il-Juve jinsabu punt fuq il- milan. It-tnejn li huma l-ghan taghhom hu li jirbhu il-league !!!... Bhal politka it-tnejn iridu jigvernaw..... Mela il-Milan gitom loba diretta mal-Juve , u biex jilhqu it-target tahom u jitlaw l-ewwel iridu jirbhu ghax bi draw jibqaw it-tieni!!!!... l-istess dawn, jekk bhalissa il-PN qed l-ewwel b`punt!!!... biex jaqlawhom min hemm jirbhulom ( igifiri 35 - 34 ) u mhux draw ( 34 -34 ) !!!!!
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Jan 26th, 18:11
So according to you, Mr. Arrigo, a Government MP is not correct when he stated that if Franco Debono will abstains, his Government will have a puncture.
How can a country in the Eurozone with all the crisis that we are experiences be run by a 'Puncture Government'?
Jimmy Magro
Jan 26th, 16:37
I think the clique has one new member.
Philip Hili
Jan 27th, 00:51
@ Jimmy Magro,
Inti bis-serjeta'???? Xi kultanat tistembah Jim!
Joseph Gatt
Jan 26th, 16:32
What did they give you Dr. Debono !?
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 26th, 16:31
Yes, and the clique and evil you kept harping about are still there and the one to be ousted is you. You had a golden chance and you goofed.
Louis Craus
Jan 26th, 16:29
Bil Malti nghidu li Dr. Franco Debono "laq il- bzieq li bezaq".
Peppi Borg
Jan 26th, 16:24
Franco Debono again gives lifeline to Gonzi's clique. What is the gonzipn's answer for lack of parliamentary majority?
Mary Ann Borg
Jan 26th, 16:50
And what is Joseph's reply for failing in his bid to topple the government by having PL garnering a majority in Parliament today. A vote that he asked for and certainly did not win?
Mr Anton Grech
Jan 26th, 16:23
It is interesting yet distressing to observe this episode unfold. The thousands of miles and many years separating me from Malta afford me the luxury of observing FD’s shenanigans with unbiased detachment unspoiled by partisanship, yet with sadness in witnessing the event. It is distressing to watch the antics of a self-centred narcissistic buffoon who seems determined to undermine the stability of our nation to satisfy his vanity; and saddening to see him hold our nation hostage.
FD’s recent behaviour exposes him as a spoiled brat stamping his feet when he doesn’t get his way while threatening, “If I don’t have my way, I’ll hold my breath till I am blue in the face and I will run away from home.” Then, when the parents call the bluff of his immature behaviour, he doesn’t have the conviction to carry out his threats. By abstaining, FD displayed his abject cowardice and lack of principle. He is now the laughing stock of both sides of the legislative chamber and of the nation. Watching excerpts from FD’s interviews where he incessantly repeated “Jiena”, one is reminded of the definition – “Egotists are always me-deep in conversation.” It was saddening to watch FD’s immaturity flashing his secondary school marks. Big deal. He’s not the only one who received high marks in school. FD’s juvenile “accomplishments” do not impress. Next thing we know, he’ll be regaling us with his “accomplishments” when he was being toilet trained.
If FD has the faintest shred of honour and decency, he would resign his seat to make way for a by-election giving the voters in his district the opportunity to decide if he has their confidence. Not only is FD unworthy of the support of his constituents, he is undeserving to be considered a grown up.
Henry Mifsud
Jan 26th, 16:14
It is evidently clear that:
1.The motion of no confidence did not pass as it did not attract the majority of the house.
2.Franco Debono did not live to his word and wasted too much precious time to everyone whilst burning what could have been a brilliant political career in the process.
3. The speaker is not congruent with the Constitution as he did not need to cast his vote unless he wants to give the (false) impression that the PM and the PN government enjoy the Confidence of the majority of the House (which they don't).
4. The PM is playing with words as irrespective what he is saying, he does not enjoy the support of the majority in the House.
5. The President of the Republic remains mum over such a precarious issue.
QUO VADIS MALTA?
Francis Attard
Jan 26th, 16:05
Min jghid wisq, ftit fih risq.
Qawl Malti.
M. Bezzina
Jan 26th, 16:56
Ghidt wahda w tajba habib!!!
Joseph Calleja
Jan 26th, 15:57
This is more proof that the politics in Malta are in shambles. How can FD raise so many doubts and then falter at the end. As I always said Franco Debono should have voted Yes or No, or he should have kept his mouth shut in the first place. When it comes to politics I consider Franco Debono very immature and very irresponsible. Twice he had the chance to upset this government but he abstained twice. I wonder why he opened his mouth in the first place if not for personal glory? I always said that when it comes to the final vote Franco Debono will again abstain and let somebody else take the fall. Shame on you Franco Debono for causing so much commotion and for what? So you can get your fifteen minutes of fame? You know exactly that the PM is not going to let go any of his incompetent Ministers just because you say so. I suggest you go back to your precious Italy and think about how much grief you have caused the Maltese Government and the Maltese people. Shame on you. You might be a good defense lawyer but you are a lousy politician. Twice you threatened to bring down the government and twice you defaulted. What's next Dr Franco Debono? I think this time you lost your luster and nobody will ever take you serious again.
Tony Busuttil
Jan 26th, 15:47
Il vot ta Franco debono jfisser li Franco marbut ma xi klikka?
joseph francalanza
Jan 26th, 15:46
ifhem franco ma ghamel xejn gdid ghajr li konferma x politikant hu . Tal labour qadt ma rikeb fuqu tant u hekk li kieku kine jaf xha jaghmel zgur li tal labour ma kienux irresqu mozzjoni ghax jghidlek its waiste of time .
issa limportanti jibqa j poggi fil kantuniera halli la naha u lanqas ohra ma jaghtu kasu
Noel Mifsud
Jan 26th, 15:43
GHalkemm qbilt u ghandi naqbel mal punti kolla li semma is sur debono, pero issa nixtiequ li la ma wasalx biex igib ir riformi li xtaq hu ihallil gvern jahdem. Joqod fuq wara bil kwiet u jhallil l Gvern, li jien ghadni nara li mixi b arroganza kbira, jahdem ghal gid ta Malta. Inutli jitkellem u x hin jigi ghas si u no ma jasalx. Please minn qalbi qed najdlek hallih ha jahdem ghal gid tan nazzjon. Mhux nazzjonalist jien ok.
mario piscopo
Jan 26th, 15:38
franco issa ghalaq halqek u poggi bilqeghda hekk jew hekk kull ma ghidt f wiccek ha jibqa ghax hemm baqghu il klikka u l prim
shut up and sit down !!
Ken Spiteri
Jan 26th, 15:28
I totally agree with Hon Franco Debono abstention; however I wish that the PN and also the government took notice of what Hon Debono said lately.
He showed hi loyalty to the party once again, and I strongly hope I see his name as a candidate on the 5th district so I and wife can vote for him...
Franco is the FUTURE OF MALTESE POLITICS.
Victor Vella
Jan 26th, 15:27
Today`s Franco Debono`s vote is a real threat to democracy and we are living under a Regime called Gonzi regime. Remember that up to Monday, after Debono had a meeting with Gonzi and Borg last Sunday he said that the PM is still taking orders from the oligarchy of evil people who are not giving him the right advices. Without any trace of doubt Debono was not given any assurances of security to his life if he votes against the government . He was pressured to pay attention to what he was going to do. It doesn`t make sense that Debono made such a fuss and throw the nation in great insecurity and up to the last day he asked for the resignation of Gonzi, and today he abstained from voting. He could have done it more subtlety and tacitly by remained quiet and then when the vote comes to be taken he could abstain. This nation one can conclude that it is really governed by a regime that in the words of Debono thinks it is divine and untouchable. Nobody can take Debono`s speech and words with a pinch of salt. He knows what he wants. He is still disillusioned in his party and he now feels uncomfortable more than ever before. Franco Debono was an eye opener. He cannot resisted any more to live in a party being manipulated by a few evil people who lost the Christian conscience as he rightly said today. One has to keep in mind that Debono today was in great tension and in great danger. How could this nation can be safe when in Debono`s words Democracy and Justice are at stake. How can this nation continue to rest its mind when again in Debono`s words we are being governed through incompetency, arrogance, lust for power and massive arrogance. Debono is the light in a nation of gloom and we are living in a great lie by a soulless regime called GonziPN regime.
raymond scicluna
Jan 26th, 19:20
issa qed tohlom b xi kongura. Mank tisthi il pn hallieh jitpastaz u jaghmel press releases, intervisti u jpaxxi lil lejburisti u hadd ma poggilu revolver ma rasu jew ghalaqlu halqu anzi bil wicc tost qed jghid li jrid ibiddel il ligi tal libel ghax hu jista jitfa t tajn fuq haddiehor imma fuqu le ghax igawdi mil immunita parlamentari. Ghax ma tghidx li Gonzi m ghamilx bhal Alfred Sant u shabu u mar jghajjar lil mintoff quddiem il monument tal helsien. Gonzi u shabu fitxew il paci ghalkemm kien difficli immens u hadd minnhom m attakah. Il verita hi mhux kongura imma bil kelma t tajba tohrog il gurdien mit toqba .,.....
Tony Busuttil
Jan 26th, 15:26
Franco Debono is sagrifika il futur politiku tieghu, tefa dak kollu li qall il bahar, hafna paroli, hafna mumetti, hafna idejat, pero ceda ghal pressjoni ta gonzu u l-KLIKKA tieghu.
Franci il KLIKKA REBHET
O Farrugia
Jan 26th, 15:13
I did not expect otherwise. I did not even bother to listen to his speech. His declaration that he will vote against the government needed no further explanations. So it was obvious once he was given time to explain himself yet again. The meeting with the PM was inconclusive, because FD had yet to think of himself. FD is a Nationalist at heart, so I do not blame him to resign from PN if for him his party is failing to honour democracy when in government. FD is an honest politician and in my opinion this is a very rare combination.
The political game is not over yet. Election or no election, the dictatorship will have to end and only thanks to FD was it brought to the surface. It is not a party issue. The lamenting of the PL's JM on "ad nauseum" issues does not take us very far when the country needs solid action and accountable responsibility.
I don't think I'll live long enough to see any new era in the local political scene !
pat muscat
Jan 26th, 14:58
Skond l-apologisti tal-PN- il-fatt li Franco Debono ma ivvotax favur il-Gvern tieghu, kollox , suppost jibqa ghaddej fuq ir-rubini. Dan x'ighidu l-apologisti, imma Dr Gonzi qal wahda li dawn bil-blinkers ma jistghux jaraw, qal ukoll, li min issa il-quddiem 'mhux business as usual' mela ghallura il-pajjiz, skond Dr Gonzi qed 'business unusual' u jekk unusual, m;hemmx triq ohra hlief elezzjoni' . Jekk le, nergghu nibdew bil-fares u bil-kummidji li jafu jaghmlu biss min ghandu gizmu ikkakmat mal-seat ta Kastilja!
J Mangion
Jan 26th, 14:53
Parole si..............fatti no
Joseph Sammut
Jan 26th, 14:21
With all due respect to all, I never understood what one expected more of Franco Debono. To me he is a political amature like so many others occupying a seat in parliament - on both sides of the room. This whole charade only went to highlight them, as in politicians and us, poor electorate. And the funny thing is that they need our mandate to fool around with.
Charles Massa
Jan 26th, 14:20
Kont nahseb li dr Debono huwa ragel, imma mhux ta b xejn li Gonzi u shabu qalulu li huwa tifel. Barra li tilef il karriera politika issa anki tilef il krdibilita u jista jkollu effett fuq il karriera tieghu ta avukat
Joe Grech
Jan 26th, 14:39
@Charles Massa - ma nahsibhiex bhalek. Dr. Franco Debono jibqa' jissemma fl-istorja meta isem il-P.M. u shabu l-klikka tal-kabinett ikun ilu li ntesa.
Grazzi ghal Debono l-gvern li jmiss zgur ser ikollu jghaddi r-Riformi Kostituzjonali li hemm hafna bzonnhom. Infatti, jekk ghadek ma tafx, ahna mhux veru ghandna Demokrazija.
U l-Guztizja u l-Qrati prezentement huma biss Farsa Wahxija!
Dak li hadna minghand il-P.N . li jien qabel kont nahlef bih!
D Agius
Jan 26th, 13:56
Just when we thought that this was going to be a new era in politics, we came to realise that the guy we were looking up to is just another bluff and coward politician wasting time and resources. I wonder what brought him back to the gang!!
Dr. Franco Debono just admitted himself as the government's scapegoat. Shame.
Joseph Calleja
Jan 26th, 15:31
I agree.
Mary Ann Borg
Jan 26th, 13:45
Joseph baqa' Prattikament Prim Ministru u l-PN anke b'4 punctures kapaci jmexxi ahjar mill Lejber fuq 4 roti. Joseph laghab karta u ma rebahx u mhux ta' b'xejn dehru qishom hergin mill Parlament qishom hergin minn xi funeral.
Joseph rega kellu chance jghidilna kif jekk jaqa' l-gvern kien behsiebu jmexxi hu imma minflok rega hela l-hin jattakka u biex tmexxi pajjiz mhux tattakka trid tkun taf imma ggib ix-xoghol. U z-zgur li hawn instabbilita'. Instabbilita fil Lejber ghax regghu ghamluha fatta u giethom lura f'wicchom. La kien bravu u ressaq il-mozzjoni ta' sfiducja issa jrid joqghod ghaliha ghax il-mozzjoni m'ghaddietx. U m'ghaddietx mhux ghax ivvota l-ispeaker imma ghax biex jghaddi vot ta' sfiducja jrid ikollu il-maggoranza u l-maggoranza ma gabhiex ghax Franco ma vvutax favur il-mozzjoni ta Joseph Muscat. Ghalhekk baqa Prattikament Prim Ministru.
Daniel Dimech
Jan 26th, 14:38
ma tafx x qed tghid..... blue biss ... il kbir ghadu gej
G. Borg
Jan 26th, 15:08
Prosit Mary Anne, jistghu jibqghu jittewbu ghalissa..............HA HA HA HA !!
Mary Ann Borg
Jan 26th, 17:03
@ Daniel Dimech: ma nafx x'qed nghid jew ma tafx x'laqatkom? U jekk jien nara blue biss int x'tara? Roza, vjola, maroon jew ahmar? Il-kbir ghadu gej, hemmhekk naqblu.
n micallef
Jan 26th, 13:42
Constitutional law expert Dr Austin Bencini said that if Dr Debono makes good on his threat to vote with the Opposition in favour of a vote of no confidence, then Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat will have reached the 35-vote threshold necessary for the motion to pass.
Should, he however, decide to abstain, then the Opposition will only have 34 votes in favour of the motion – one short of the crucial house majority it needs. Article 76 (5) (a) of the Maltese Constitution is clear on this matter, stating that the President may dissolve Parliament “if the House of Representatives passes a resolution, supported by the votes of a majority of all the members thereof, that it has no confidence in the Government, and the Prime Minister does not within three days either resign from his office or advise a dissolution.”
Since a no-confidence motion requires a majority of all MPs, rather than a simple majority of those voting, the 35-vote threshold holds irrespective of the number of MPs who abstain – or fail to attend Parliament – during next Thursday’s vote.
jista xi hadt ifhemni din ta hawn fuq please ghax ma nistax nifhem ghala vvota l-ispeaker meta mhux suppost skond il-kostituzzjoni ta Malta?????????????????????/
Ms Xaxa Caruana
Jan 26th, 14:02
a very good question.
Joseph Delicata
Jan 26th, 14:02
Very Good Question i have been asking this since the votes came out. why ?
Joseph Sammut
Jan 26th, 14:24
Dr. Muscat, why don' you address this question in the interest of Malta?
Nicole Vella
Jan 26th, 14:38
The text you quoted does not say that he could not have voted but that his vote was not necessary as according to the constitution a no confidence vote needs a majority which it did not have. In short the motion was quashed the minute Dr. Debono abstained since it did not enjoy a majority.
Charles Bayliss
Jan 26th, 13:32
Cowardly act to abstain. The English say EMPTY VESSELS MAKE MOST SOUND. This goes for you Dr Franco Debono. Parliament has wasted a week in discussing a No-Confidence motion which was brought about because of your actions and this resulted in a waste of people's money because this week could have been used for something more useful. Are the 69 MPs going to renounce this week's wage packet as they have done nothing but talk, talk, talk. ??
M Muscat
Jan 26th, 13:31
Franco Debono tielef il-KREDIBILITA, tilef l-IRGULIJA. Illu jastjeni aktar minn sena. Illu jpaccpac aktar minn
sentejn ghalxejn. Kien wasal iz-zmien li jiehu azzjoni (skont hu) u ma hadiex.
Franco Debono ghadu jitlob ir-rizenja ta’ Lawrence Gonzi, Austin Gatt u Carm Mifsud Bonnici. Ghadu jghid li
Beppe KIDDIEP bhal Missieru Eddie. Ghadu jghid dak kollu li kien jghid qabel kontra l-Gvern, f’dak kollu li
ghamel.
Il-Gvern, li issa tilef il-maggoranza x’se jaghmel?
Franco Debono minn issa l-quddiem se jaghmel se joqghod jastjeni jew se jivvota kontra l-Gvern.
Ghadu Membru fil-PN?
Joe E Galea
Jan 26th, 13:24
As I predicted Franco has abstained.
His comedy now is futile for the country unless he will be given a very "nice present" to shut up now being cash or a good position.
Franco Debono (please remember how the PN machine has attacked him personally and ridiculed him including prominent ministers and MP): the intentions behind his comedy is clear, he was stamping his feet because he didn't get what he wanted, and he is just another brick in the wall of hypocrites and he is an accomplice to the wrongdoings by the government. The only good that came out of this was that he exposed the dirt of the PN.
Now the governmaent is still in a stale mate situation as it survived again witht he speaker's vote. So the instability will keep on hanging on the country's neck like a guillotine to the detriment of the benefit of the country.
Well done to GonziPN to manage to bribe Franco Debono, however, now the vase is broken.
Well done to JM for his impeccable speech, outlining at least 65 grave wrongdoings by the GOnziPN.
Joseph Delicata
Jan 26th, 13:59
I see that now you have no words of Praise for FD
Victor Laiviera
Jan 26th, 13:17
This means we have a minority government. Will Gonzi have enough self-respect to call an election and test the people's will?
I predict he will not - the inner clique will not let him. And no nationalist will dare mention the '81 election ever again.
Mary Ann Borg
Jan 26th, 13:51
Tixtieq Laiviera. X'minorita' hi? Mela l-Lejber gab iktar voti mill PN fil-Parlament? Anke minghajr il-vot tal-ispeaker, xorta ma gabx il-maggoranza, ahseb u ara kemm il-PN gab minoranza. X'minorita hi? Mela 34-34 ifisser li l-Lejber rebah? Bye bye iz-zmien li ggibu inqas voti u tmexxu ghal hames snien shah.
Mario Mifsud
Jan 26th, 14:35
Prosit Mary Ann. Ftakar haga li dawn kull vot li jittiehed jghidu i rebhuh huma. Allura xi haga hekk tistennija minn Laiviera. Tant ilhom fl-oppozizzjoni li xi haga hekk tinzillhom ghasel. Imma regu xerqu fih l-ghasel.
Daniel Dimech
Jan 26th, 14:39
vera gvern relattiv u bla maggoranza parlamentari tghid jghaddu ghal boycotts???
Charles Vella
Jan 26th, 14:42
@Mary Ann Borg
Allura skont int, 34 - 34 rebah il-gvern????
godwin difesa
Jan 26th, 14:55
I think you have to wait another 14 months more there are not long compare to 25 years.I think you cannot count because PL have only 34 MP from 69 MP they needed 35MP there was no need to the speaker to vote.This time Franco as smart person as he is he abstained next vote make sure he will vote with his political family the PN because as he sad he love very much before his speech.The 81 election is totally different there was minority from the people not equal MPs until today soon will be back for normal as PN can unite his children as one family.The father of this family have passed from all tests these tests this last 4 years so that why one of his family had changed his mind in time before it is to late.Well done Franco i had told you last week that PL are using you after they will trow you like rubbish whom you know do not ask for.
P. Ciantar
Jan 26th, 15:03
din bhal referendum tal ewropa meta il labour qal li rebah
Mr Peter Mercieca
Jan 26th, 13:08
Well done... what a royal waste of parliments' time. Can we get back to the job at hand and ensure Malta is the best prepared it can be for the looming economic storm ahead.
To FD - now we know who you are and what you are capable of and I trust your voice will continued to be heard and possibly heeded somewhat more than before, but just for the sake of "stability" please inflict no more "threats" to those Maltese that voted for you. If your suggestions are valid (and I sure most of them are!) let their validity and your youthful energy drive them through....we don't need more hickups within our ranks.
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 26th, 13:06
Dr. Franco you messed it up at the wrong time, you let one of the clique decide for you someone who was incharge of the ticketing machines.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jan 26th, 13:04
Oh, poor Muscat now must find another lame excuse to try and bring down the government. Really pathetic!
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 26th, 13:56
So you are happy with a Govt that only has a majority in Parliament because the Speaker casts his casting vote? Not something to be proud of, surely?
A Tonna
Jan 26th, 14:19
I call pathetic those people who are happy that their government robbed them from their pocket to put them in to the ministers' pockets.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jan 26th, 17:26
No Andrew, I am happy that a party leader who is hungry for power did not get his way thirteen months before an election is due. What's not to be proud of is an opposition leader who spends his time trying to bring down a government instead of working for the good of the country. He'll get his chance in thirteen months if he is able to actually articulate what his "Pjani cari" means!
Chris Abela
Jan 26th, 13:03
U il PL ma jirnexxilux jasal fejn irrid ... BHAS SOLTU !
Ms Xaxa Caruana
Jan 26th, 14:00
@Chris Abela
Habib ha nghidlek my point of view, li kieku Franco ivota mal PL illum, kien jaqa il gvern u issir elezzjoni bikrija, u sa certu punt Gonzi jehles min hafna inkwiet, u li kieku sar dan u PN jitlef l-elezzjoni, f min tahseb li kienu jwahhlu tal PN...??? iva Franco Debono.
Issa kif inhi il bicca Debono tefa lil Gonzi f bahar ta inkwiet. Gonzi jaf li maggoranza ma ghandux la fil parlamnet u lanqas fil poplu ma jista jghid li ghandu maggoranza, issa irid jara kif ha johrog min din is-sitwazzjoni kerha li dahal fijha. U jekk isejjah elezzjoni f mejju u jitlef il PN who is to blame ..Debono...nooooo Gonzi is to blame.
n micallef
Jan 26th, 13:02
CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THIS AS THIS WAS ON THE TIMES THIS WEEK QUOTED FROM THE TIMES:
Constitutional law expert Dr Austin Bencini said that if Dr Debono makes good on his threat to vote with the Opposition in favour of a vote of no confidence, then Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat will have reached the 35-vote threshold necessary for the motion to pass.
Should, he however, decide to abstain, then the Opposition will only have 34 votes in favour of the motion – one short of the crucial house majority it needs. Article 76 (5) (a) of the Maltese Constitution is clear on this matter, stating that the President may dissolve Parliament “if the House of Representatives passes a resolution, supported by the votes of a majority of all the members thereof, that it has no confidence in the Government, and the Prime Minister does not within three days either resign from his office or advise a dissolution.”
Since a no-confidence motion requires a majority of all MPs, rather than a simple majority of those voting, the 35-vote threshold holds irrespective of the number of MPs who abstain – or fail to attend Parliament – during next Thursday’s vote.
Godfrey F. Ellul
Jan 26th, 13:00
Xorta jibqa' il-fatt li dal-Gvern dahal f'koma irreversibbli, u poggewh fuq il-makni biex taparsi ghadu haj....!
Joseph Sultana
Jan 26th, 13:00
As predicted, Mr Debono is no different from the lot. Time to lose hope forever in a just politician.
George Debono
Jan 26th, 12:58
Prattikament Prim Ministru.....Realment Deluz u Disappuntat. Franco can never vote against his party. That much is obvious
John Carmel Navarro
Jan 26th, 12:57
So now where does thSo now where does this latest mockery leave the Country, Parliament just cannot operate with just a majority of one or none? The constitution covering elections must be revised, the Country just cannot be Governed satisfactory with a single seat majority, therefore in future elections there has to be a mechanism in place to cater if the results are so close either have a both parties in Government jointly or conduct another election. Malta must not endure its Politicians fighting for their own personal survival rather than Governing, over the last few days it would seem everything of National importance was at a standstill.
is latest mockery leave the Country,
Alfred Grech
Jan 26th, 12:57
The closer I follow politics in Malta the more I am learning that most mps' loyalty is towards their party and perhaps towards their own seat. This is typical though world wide. This administration had been a curse to many of us. The financial burden they put us under will take years to be corrected.
Gonzi knows that many people and even many of his back benchers are not satisfied with his way of administrating this country and if he feels so strongly that he's doing the right thing he should be honest to his own country and call for an election soon or sooner.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 26th, 13:59
Gonzi's head is buried firmly in the sand. You should not expect him to do otherwise than hang on to power. If he has not realised the mess he has around him so far, what hope is there that he he will change his attitude?
Noel Cuschieri
Jan 26th, 15:47
I don't fully trust 90% of politicians!!
Mr C Camilleri
Jan 26th, 12:57
This person might have a lot of good points but for me he has wasted precious time from this country, has caused chaos that led to nowhere and fooled around with the people by saying one thing and then going against his word. At the end of the day for me he has only showed off with his school results and spoke out words that the GonziPN will be quick to make the country forget.
Probably he has obtained a 100 out of 100 in school when it comes to the U-Turn topics !
Well done Mr Debono ... you have helped me to understand what a person you are.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jan 26th, 12:56
Absention is for cowards. Debono's absention was not in the country's best interest as the instability of the government will invariably continue. Today Debono appears to be half the man he was yesterday, one who is not true to his word, a politician who has endorsed a Prime Minister in whom he claimed he had no confidence and under whom he said he would not serve, a critic of an oligarchy that he has now helped consoldate, but a politician who will no doubt secure for himself the prima donna role of Malta's fragile parliamentary democracy.
Mr Joe Cardona
Jan 26th, 12:56
Ergajna koppi. Kellu jkun l-ispeaker biex islava wicc GonziPN.
Issa drajniha din. mhix l-ewwel darba. L-ispeaker ma ghandux appogg mill-poplu bhal dr debono. il-vot tieghu ma jiswa xejn biex juri li l-Gvern ghandu l-fiducja tal-Parlamenty. L-ispeaker mhux MP.
Ma jistax ikun li nibqghu sejin hekk.
Dr Debono tefa l-ballun f'saqajn il-PM biex minnufih jghajjat elezzjoni bikrija biex hekk terga' tirrenja l-istabbilita tal-pajjiz.
Nistennew nhra il-Hadd biex naraw x'se tkun id-decizjoni li tohrog mill-Kunsill generali tal-PN.
M Grima
Jan 26th, 12:55
Today we have witnessed the difference between the boys and the men. We have witnessed those who have got the balls and those who act as cowards, those who talk too much and those who walk the talk. Yet, no one is surprised by Franco's decision to abstain and it was his own decision to eat his own words. He had a choice and he choose that he is ignored by half of Malta and despised by the other half.
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Jan 26th, 12:54
According to the Constitution in the 'no confidecne vote' the Speaker should not cast his vote. So once more the Speaker was biased in his decision and went against the Constitution. The result clearly shows that GonziPartitNegattiv has no majority in Parliament. THE MALTESE GOVERNMENT IS THE ONLY GOVERNMENT IN THE EU THAT HAS NO MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT.
Even according to the speech by the Prime Minister last Sunday the PM stated that this week's result should show that his government can make it till the end of the lagislature. It is crystal clear that GonziPartitNegattiv has NO MAJORITY in Parliament. So GonziPartitNegattiv SHOULD GO TO THE POLLS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
The PBS Parliamentary station went off just a couple of minutes before noon. I could not get the 'TimesofMalta.com' for 30 minutes. It seems that electricity went out again in many parts of the country. SHAME AND DISGUSTING.
Matthew Galea Debono
Jan 26th, 13:38
sour grapes?
Noel Cuschieri
Jan 26th, 15:01
The speaker should resign!!
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 26th, 12:53
Telfa ohra ghall-PL ta' JM.
Il-Partit Nazzjonalista fil-gvern, bil-membri Parlamentari kollha tieghu, issa huwa mheggeg mill-poplu Malti kollu biex ikompli jadqi dmiru lejn Malta biex inkunu nistghu niffaccjaw is-sena 2012 b'kuragg u determinazzjoni u jsegwi r-rakkomandazzjonijiet ta' l-IMF biex Malta tibqa miexja l'quddiem kif dsejjem ghamlet f'dawn l-ahhar 25 sena.
A.M. Galea
Jan 26th, 15:01
Sur Vassallo , it-tellief f'dan il-kas mhu hadd hlief il-poplu malti li ser ikollu jkompli ghaddej min din l-incertezza b'dannu ghal pajjiz . Kieku saret elezzjoni , kien ikollok mitt ragun tghid li il-gvern hu imheggeg mil-poplu biex ikompli jaqdi dmiru lejn Malta biex inkunu nistghu is-sena 2012 , imma kif graw l-affarijiet , kif tista tghid li il-gvern ghandu il-membri tal-parlament warajh meta bhall ma taf int lanqas kellu il-maggoranza tal- membri parlamentari favur tieghu , u kellu jkun il-vot ta' l-ispeker li ghandi dubju ta' kemm seta' jaghmel dan , li salva lill-gvern.
Ghallhekk , jekk il-Prim Ministru verament jemmen fid-demokrazija , ma ghandu ebda triq ohra hlief li jmur ghand il-president u jitolbu jxolji il-parlament u tissejjah elezzjoni generali halli jkun il-polpu li jiddeciedi lill min irid imexxi dan il-pajjiz . Hekk titlob l-irgulija u hekk titlob id-demokrazija .
Manuel Camilleri
Jan 26th, 12:52
Bluffer. The only HONOURABLE thing left for you is to resign and let the Government work during this coming year. What an egoist with a huge inflated ego and a big ME written on your forehead.
Noel Cuschieri
Jan 26th, 14:58
Like
Eve Axiaq
Jan 26th, 12:51
Mozzjoni m'ghaddietx imma maggoranza fil- parlament m'hemmx. Kif se tmexxi minghajr maggoranza fil- parlament Gonzi? Bl- ispeaker bhala s- salvatur?
Alfred Grech
Jan 26th, 12:51
Franco you caused lots of tension and then you chickened out.
Let me assure you that while some of your points were valid but you made a fool of yourself by not voting for the motion. You lost the respect of all the reds and blues and you should kiss good bye to your political life.
Please find some time and take a course on maturity - you need it.
Noel Cuschieri
Jan 26th, 14:57
If F. D. wants to change things he SHOULDN't have abstained!! I am very surprised how, once again, he let someone else to decide for him!!
carmel muscat
Jan 26th, 12:51
prosit franco inti urejt lil malta kolla li avaukat bhallek malta la qatt kelna u lanqas ikolna ax taf il ligijiet fuq ponot subajk int ilhaqt bhiltek mux ax andek lil xix hadt fil familja tijjek avukat nerga nifrahlek ghal mod ta kif taf tintterprita il ligi bla tlaqliq ta xejn ahjar min kwallunkwe avukat iehor li jinsab fil parlament kemm fuq naha u kemm fuq ohra
Philip Bonello
Jan 26th, 12:49
Franco Debono is a proper gentleman but he does not belong to the Machiavellian conspiracies of Maltese politics.
Alex Coppola
Jan 26th, 12:49
Back to square one and uncertainty will inger on and on. I think elections should be called as soon as possible
George Calleja
Jan 26th, 12:49
Wara dak il-paroli kollha, FD ma kellux il-guts li jivvota favur il-mozzjoni. L-iktar decizjoni serja li ha fic-cirkostanzi. Fl-ahhar uza s-sens komun!!
Joe A. Borg
Jan 26th, 12:48
Wll done to Dr. Debono who managed to keep a goernment on tip-toes and re-think its position. So now go ahead with your good work and ensure that the party funding motion is approved before the coming election in the interest of the Maltese citizen.
Sharon Pisani
Jan 26th, 12:48
Was the casting vote supposed to be used in a no-confidence vote?
Salvu Attard
Jan 26th, 12:47
Franco int vera bniedem bla principju hafna retorika u tidwir u minnhekk ma hareg l-ebda sugu
K CASSAR
Jan 26th, 12:47
What a coincidence that widespread a powercut occured just as Dr. Debono's vote was being cast. As if to prove the inefficiency of this government in even the most basic things, at the most important times.Gonzi PN have more on their plate than they can handle first of which accountability. I wonder if Dr. Gonzi will wait till term and watch his government limp to a certain disdain of the electorate, or if he will retain at least some pride and opt to dismiss himself with honour and call an election before he loses what his left of his already worn dignity.
Philip Hili
Jan 26th, 12:45
Kemm ser jibqghu jimlewh bix-xemgha li Dr. Franco Debono dawk il-laburisti li sal-bierah xebghu jaghmlulu elogji ta' eroj, li ma hemmx deputat iehro bhalu fil-partiti, kemm hu ta' principju, etc...??????????????????????
Issa ir-"ranking ta' Dr. Debono ser jinzel ghal ZERO ma dawn it-tip ta' nies!!!!!!
Dr. Emails, il-politika mhix ghalsnienek! Mhux imbilli ftahart li tghallimt hafna politika minn wara li gejt elett MEP l-ewwel darba. Ma tghallilmt assolutament XEJN!
Ikun grat hafna lejk il-poplu Malti u Ghawdxi jekk tghalq halek u tifthu meta tkun taf li b'dak li ser tghid, tkun ta' zervizz ghan-Nazzjon Malti. Il-bqijja, ahjar tinheba!!!
Paul Micallef
Jan 26th, 12:41
Vera paroli dan FRANCO, mela dak il-kliem li qall kollhu ghalxejn, AVUKAT BLA SINSLA, l-ewwel, EVIL u xebbgha paroli fil vojt imbaghad iccedi. Mu ha jissolva xejn ta ara tahsbu, ghax iss GONZIPN iktar ghandu sahha fuqu ghax jaghajdu dan TIFEL TA LISKOLA, gab marki gholjin,imma ghal xejn studja, ghax PAROLI BISS. Kompli kisser GONZIPN KOMPLU FARKU.
James Attard
Jan 26th, 12:38
Franco showed the nation that he is a man one can not trust, after all the confusion and stress he cause he absatined. He has the chance to show the goverment that he disagrees with him and he blew the chance. All talk and no action.
Mike Carrington
Jan 26th, 12:38
Why abstain? Has he no guts to carry out his promise?
No comprendi
Francis Borg
Jan 26th, 12:36
The vote was almost predictable and there are two lessons to be taken forward. Party leaders must listen but apointed gun politics should never be allowed to win over argument.
John Xuereb
Jan 26th, 12:35
Gonzipn ma jaqax, jevita t-tackle ta Debono u jibqa ghaddej ala Messi !!! :p
J Cachia
Jan 26th, 12:34
Now what?
adrian agius
Jan 26th, 12:30
didn't they say that the speaker cannot vote in a no confidence vote??
city busuttil
Jan 26th, 12:29
And life goes on, once again.
Robert Cordina
Jan 26th, 12:28
The Speaker did not cast a vote, he is not entitled to in this case, in fact the Speaker said that he has to recommend further discussion. The motion did not pass, but not thanks to the Speaker, but only because there was not a majority of votes in favour by all membersa of Parliament.
sharon camilleri
Jan 26th, 12:27
mhux suppost ma kellhux jijvotta l-speaker?
Ms Xaxa Caruana
Jan 26th, 12:26
Gonzi jigvera BLA MAGGORANZA FIL PARLAMNET...AMEN.
Ms Maria Vella
Jan 26th, 12:26
i guess Dr. Muscat has to wait a bit more to try and grab hold of power.............