Gonzi - What I proposed is a leadership contest where I will be a candidate

A.M. Galea

Jan 31st, 10:22

Yes Mr.Prime Minister , you are proposing a race with one contender where you can take all the prizes . First prize , second prize , third prize and the last one too . The reason is very simple , no one is going to contest you because they will be looked upon as accomplice with Dr. Franco Debono . Why don't you take a secret vote in Parlament . That's where you need it most . That is where you need the trust of all your deputies , not in the party ranks .

Victor Boyde

Jan 30th, 16:23

How can you be a candidate if you are still the PM? Does one not resign first before he puts themselves forward? And if that person is going for vote of confidence and leadership of a party is there no constitution within the party members first? I am not familiar with the dos and donts of Malta but since it is a democratic country I would presume that all candidates need to be on the starting line not leading from the winners podium!!!

joe vella

Jan 30th, 15:25

this is all a lot of hot air and just playing for time
as PM lawrence gonzi shoulders all the responsibility, he is the head so the buck stops there
the problem with debono arose because the latter felt that the PM did not handle his responsibilities in the right manner- this has been the problem of the PN government all along these years, the small fry get it, other big boys get away scot free or be promoted upstairs to get rid of them
what will his re election confirm? is it simply to call a supposedly new start and so the ones who got away are now absolved? will this bypass satisfy dr debono, I wonder- he must be chuckling to himself

pat muscat

Jan 30th, 12:47

Dan li ghandu il-pajjiz bhalissa; leadership race bejn kontestant wiehed!

Alex Falzon

Jan 30th, 09:09

Dr Debono called for the PM's resignation on several occassions - claiming that he would work with everyone except Laurence Gonzi. Than the PM did right to put his leadership on the line and place a contest for leadership. I trust that should he be re-elected yes everyone should support the government in parliament otherwise MP's should resign themselves.

As Mintoff or other's should have done in 1998 and the PL would have survived 5yrs

anton cassar

Jan 30th, 09:01

Gonzi Lawrence leader of PN to challenge Lawrence Gonzi leader of GonziPN for leadership of a fragmented party !!!!

Mr saviour magro

Jan 30th, 08:07

Din kull ma hi sfida diretta lil FD biex jajdlu jew jien jew int"Issa jekk int(FD) kapaci, sfidani ghal leadership jekk tahseb li kapaci tmexxi dan il-partit"jekk le oqghod kwiet u igdem ilsienek u ivvota mal-gvern fil-parlament.F'kelma wahda ghamel kollox barra kif qallu FD. Dr.franco Debono qal li lest li jahdem ma kulhadd basta mhux ma Dr.Gonzi u min zbalja mill ministri jerfghaw ir-responsabilta u jirrizenjaw. J'Alla din tkun is-soluzzjon ghal priministru u jkollu l'appogg u'l backing kollu u jerggha jikseb il-maggoranza fil-parlament.wara kollox nahseb li kulhadd jaqbel li iktar ma jkun hawn stabilita malajr iktar ikun ta gid ghal pajjiz..jekk le maghndux triq ohra hlief imur ghal elezzjoni.forsi sa xaghrejn ohra ikun hawn is -serenita u l-istabilita.

j brincat

Jan 30th, 08:02

@George Cutjar

"I simply cannot understand this rush to have an election. It will happen when it has to happen. The Opposition did not win the vote of no-confidence last Thursday"

You are conveniently forgetting that the Government has last Thursday lost the MAJORITY and so has no more mandate to govern!

After Dr Gonzi's fiasco last May when he voted against the wish of the great majority of the people as expressed in the divorce referendum what was now expected of him this time round was to show that he abides with the rules of democracy and resign - as any other western leader would have done!

The more he procrastinates the more harm is done to the reputation of Malta and its economy!

As I said yesterday Dr Gonzi's move is just a mise en scene as no one would venture to contest him so he is just playing for time! It's useless getting the support within the PN if he does not enjoy parliamentary majority.

He can keep going in a circles and live in a state of denial but the fact remains that he no longer has behind him a MAJORITY in the House of Parliament. He is just escaping reality!




(jb)

J. Borg

Jan 30th, 07:55

This is only a 'BIG GIMMICK' from the PM.
The majority he lost was in parlament and not in the PN.
Franco Debono stated more than once that the PM should resign along with responsible Ministers.......so this only playing with the country's economy and a time abiding process.
Does the PM think that 'ANYONE' from the PN is going to contest him now that the legisliture is coming to an end.
Franco Debono should stand up and declare exactly what his intentions are!

F. Pisani

Jan 30th, 07:53

Good strategic tactic.

Anthony Mizzi

Jan 30th, 07:31

Why not a leadership contest after the GENERAL ELECTION is lost and won?

That would be the rational thing to do...in the interests of the NATION not to hold a position withing the Nationalist Party!

It is just a pathethic attempt to win time and get the power of incumbency to work!

Noel Damato

Jan 30th, 06:10

By having all the backing from your party is unnecessary to the country. Our country does not deserve all this play around with peoples' intelligence. Backing must be gained in parliament not within the party walls. Please don't consider that all Maltese citizens are Nationalist. Try to consider that all these hiccups can cost the citizens loosing their jobs. We want Stability not instability. Call an election ASAP so the sovereign voters will decide their future.

Noel Damato

Jan 30th, 05:12

Gonzi said.....What I proposed is a leadership contest where I will be a candidate. All this is being held and organised within the PN headquarters. If you really love your country and don't want to take your country for a RIDE, Gonzi's proposal must be not within the PN but to the Maltese citizens. Thus call an election where the Maltese citizens are supreme and can give you another term. Don't leave us in all this ciaos.

Anthony Pace Gouder

Jan 30th, 01:35

Din tassew stramba! Ippropona li issir Elezzjoni ghall-kontestazzjoni ta' Mexxej tal-Partit.

QATT HADD (lanqas Franco) jew xi Kurrent fil-Partit jidher li kellu l-icken hsieb jipproponi .

Jekk huwa stess diga hu l-Mexxej kif jista jkun ukoll Kandidat? Elezzjoni fil-Partit nafa ssir biss meta Jirrizenja il-CAPO!..... Dan huwa xejn hlief Vot biex jikkonfermawh.

VOT ta' FIDUCJA li qed ifittex u xejn izjed. GHallhekk nemmen li HADD m'hu ser jjissogra ikkontestah, ir-ragunijiet huma ovvji. Anzi jipprofitta biex jiehu l-mertu li huwa biss jista jmexxi il- Partit ( u l-PAJJIZ !).

B'kontestazzjoni ,kif taparsi qed jipproponi, hsara biss tista ssir lill-Partit !
QATT u imkien ma kien hemm xi talba ghar-Rizenja ta' Gonzi minn Leader tal-Partit , anzi jidher li skond il-Kabinett u l-Ezekuttiv hemm l-appogg SHIEH!

It- talba saret fil- Parlament mhux fil-Partit Dottor Gonzi! Dan x'tahwid hu ?

Ivan Esposito

Jan 29th, 23:00

'Beam me up Scottie!'

Is this guy for real?

It's like watching a clip from 'Dad's Army'. For the younger one's.....that used to be a TV series based on a group of plodders during the second world war.

Ivan Esposito

Jan 29th, 22:45

Party leaders are elected by party councillors.
Members of parliament are elected by the electorate, i.e. The People!
Don't forget that Dr. gonzi.
You are playing a very dangerous game with Democracy.

Anthony Mifsud Bonnici Giordani

Jan 29th, 22:22

Jekk igib 51% jibqa kap? Ghax ghada friska f'mohhna s-song tal-87, "il-maggoranza kollha fniek" u dawn meta kienu gabu 51% tal-voti.

Anthony Mifsud Bonnici Giordani

Jan 29th, 22:20

Peppi l-coach ghandu jwaddablu x-xugaman. Call it a day Lawrence. Xebbajt lil laburisti u anki nofs in-nazzjonalisti.

mark borg

Jan 29th, 21:36

LOL... Elezjoni finta ...bhal maggoranza parlamentari finta ...progetti finta (smart city,teatru bla saqaf u figuri ta djun tal pajjiz finta).............insomma gvern finta ...bl unika realata hija l-erba tal Klikka !

Gordon Swain

Jan 29th, 21:34

f'kas tina lil Simon Busutil bhala kandidat iehor ghal-leadership tal-partit

rita coleiro

Jan 29th, 21:27

Rita
What FD said that the priminister is taking all the responsabilties himself its true, instead he turned to the guys that are surrounding him those who are giving him bad advise and telling them to resign he s taking everything on his shoulder. Gonzi is not that strong that he stands up to the guys around him he gives the impression that he is but from what we are seeing he does not have the par idejn sodi .

GEORGE CUTAJAR

Jan 29th, 21:24

Not surprised by the negative reaction of many bloggers. Obviously coming from bloggers who are PL inclined this move by Dr. Gonzi came as a big surprise. Last time something remotely similar happened to the MLP Alfred Sant abdicated his responsibility as a PM and Party Leader and simply went for the election.

I simply cannot understand this rush to have an election. It will happen when it has to happen. The Opposition did not win the vote of no-confidence last Thursday and perhaps with hindsight they realise that it was a big mistake on their part to believe that Debono would vote with them..

Antonia Vella

Jan 29th, 21:23

Mela mhux business as usaual now. U l-par idejn sodi fejn spiccaw

R. Gauci

Jan 29th, 21:14

Nahseb li l-On. Franco Debono ma tantx jista jkun sodisfatt b'din il-kummiedja, anzi qed nara bhala mossa biex jurih li fi hdan il-PN Gonzi hu suprem.

K Borg

Jan 29th, 21:13

To all the Labour elves, that repeat ad nauseum the statements issued by their great progressive, inclusive,democratic, moderate, full of new proposals, bla bla bla leader, may I ask you the following two simple questions:

1. Was it OK for you that the country was submerged in instability for more than 2,200 days between 1981 and 1987? and,
2. Was it again OK for you that the country was instable for a further 240 days in the Sant era?

I can understand your desperate need to see the most glorious Labour back in the government seats to teach the whole nation what the word democracy really means, but not for the time being dear elves.

In the meantime just sit back and take note how an intelligent party works....not by screaming one's head off at the Birgu marina.

Michel Bencini

Jan 29th, 21:12

When a PM wins a vote of confidence in parliament he does not call for a leadership review which more than likely will confim him as leader in his own party. How can one challenge the current PM after winning a vote of confidence in parliament? It really is an unfair contest with no one to challenge the PM within his own party. The PM is applying pressure tactics on his own MPs in order that he be confirmed as leader should another vote of confidence with the eventuality of a defeat at the hands of the opposition be had. How can one gauge how Mr. Debono will vote the next time around? These are party games and should not be played. It only proves how insecure the PM is in his untenable long term position. Ultimately, it will be parliament which will decide his faith and a general election not a cake walk at a PN leadership contest. I wonder what must be going in Mr.Gonzi's head to resort to such puerile machinations. I do pity the gentleman.

Martin Gatt

Jan 29th, 21:04

Gonzi bla bla !! Tad dahk!!

Edward Borg

Jan 29th, 20:43

Jiena nahseb li tal PN jafu x qed jamlu u dil manuvra taf terga trebbahom l elezzjoni. Jaf ikollna ucuh godda b ideat godda u il PN ghandu izjed min sena ohra biex juri dawn l ideat. Iz zmien itina parir!! Qas haqq kemm dam jittrenja Joseph kid ghandu jxejjer in nies min Kastilja.

albert pace

Jan 29th, 20:39

So now gonzi will leave the country in dire straits until his party will stage the ''election farce''. Gonzi needs a majority in parliament and not in his party. What would you expect from a man who voted against the will of the majority following the divorce referendum. Now he is also claiming victory by saying that the last voting in paliament was categoric and that the vote gave him the right to govern.

M. Grech

Jan 29th, 20:24

Given the circumstances, the PN is rightfully protecting its own interest to stay in government as long as possible, no matter what. On the other hand, common citizens can only sit and watch, asking about the original reasons on which all this has started. People like us do not have a say since we only depend on those who have.

A Calleja

Jan 29th, 20:09

DR Gonzi you are using the PN - You are not the PN - I never could never understand why you called it GONZI PN

GEORGE CUTAJAR

Jan 29th, 19:57

Once again Dr. Gonzi is showing his true democratic crredentials. Before anyone starts accusing me of being part of some 'klikka' I think I should make public the fact that back in the leadership race I did not support Dr. Gonzi , However his stature and track record over the past few years when faced with immense obstacles have shown him to be a true leader and above all a man who is not afraid to take decisions even if he knows that he will loose votes.

It is thanks to him that hurtful reforms have taken place which now have placed our finances on the right track. It is thanks to his ability that he steered our country through the Libya crisis in a way which earned Malta the praise of all countries. It is thanks to his vision that jobs in many factories were saved during the financial crisis that hit the world and I sincerely hope that it will be him who will lead us during the year ahead.

I am not a PN Councillor and have no say in the up coming election but those upon whom this responsibility has been placed should keep in mind that while most of Europe is sinking we have had it relatively good. He is not a perfect man but than who is?

cesco di luigi

Jan 29th, 19:48

I think this is a really good idea ...one candidate only.for leader ....why not? They do it in other counties too don't they? For example: Cuba; North Korea; Syria; Iraq in the past etc etc Even Gonzi follows current events after all>

Joe Busuttil

Jan 29th, 19:41

The Oscars are due next month DR Gonzi. Nice acting.

j falzon

Jan 29th, 19:37

This is exactly how this always should have been dealt with-the party caucus.

lilly vella

Jan 29th, 19:32

gonzi dejjem irid jiehu vantagg , ma jirrizenjax u jiftah il girja ghal leadership . u le hasibna toys.

Anthony Pace Gouder

Jan 29th, 19:27

Illejla, wara nofs-in-nhar , HLOMT li il Pajjiz ma kienx aktar immexxi minn Dr. Gonzi, u l-KRIZI PARLAMENTARI kienet spiccat ! Id-disa u Sittin Rapprezzentanti kienu ghadhom f'Postom gol Parlament , biss dawn aktar kienu bhala Osservaturi, izda jgawdu il- paga u l-beneficcji, Franco kien Kuntentissimu, g Kienu zdiedu HMISTAX EXTRA-PARLAMENTARI, TEKNOKRATI, taht it-tmexxija ta' Prim Ministru certu Kontrad Cinqwemani, imprenditur u Ekonomista tal-'prima Classe', ghallkemm minajr mandat tal-Poplu izda b'merti straordinarji biex ikun fit-tmun tal-Pajjiz f'kull Maltempasta . Kollox kien f'idej , u kull ma jipproponu jghaddi b'MAGGORANZA ASSOLUTA u certa ! Konna GEJNA bhatt-TALJANI ! GVERN TEKNOKRATIKU

M camilleri

Jan 29th, 19:25

Gonzipn = Uturn Uturn Uturn Uturn Uturn and more uturns

Salvu Attard

Jan 29th, 19:13

Gonzi - 'What I proposed is a leadership contest where I will be a candidate', li inti ser tirbah ghax is-segwaci li ser jivvotawlek huma kollha, komdi, jekk int veru thobb il-Pajjiz halli l-POPLU jiggudikak. Il-Poplu biss hu SUPREM

john muscat

Jan 29th, 19:12

All Malta needs is full backing in PARLIAMENT and NOT in the party, because to govern one needs backing by all the MPs of his party , and not backing to be a leader of a party!!!

john muscat

Jan 29th, 19:11

All Malta needs is full backing in PARLIAMENT and NOT in the party, because to govern one needs backing by all the MPs of his party , and not backing to be a leader of a party!!!

Michael Magri

Jan 29th, 19:07

Dr. Lawrence Gonzi of GonziPN is playing musical chairs again... And this is how i see it coming.......!!

Number of nominees for Leadership of PN... ONE..
Other Contestants.... NONE..

Decision... Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, of GonziPN Confirmed as Party Leader and Prime Minister again...!!

Now... The Million dollar question... What is Dr. Franko Debono going to do now that everything turned back to SQUARE ONE as planned.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????

Mr Prime Minister please.. Stop wasting unnecessary time.. Call a general election instead A.S.A.P., as that is the ONLY solution to this `checkmate` of a parlamentary situation...

Paul Caruana

Jan 29th, 18:57

It is a given that Gonzi will get a unanimous confirmation as party leader.....but does he have a parliamentary majority?

A DALLI

Jan 29th, 18:56

thank god it's not a beauty contest then, omg who would win out of that lot
haaaaaaa haaaaaaa
now who is acting like a baby, he want's to know if he is still the leader of the gang,
WHAT NEXT GONZI ????????

Victor Calleja

Jan 29th, 18:54

Come on Franco, show him your beef. Kick him out of that parliament.

M Grima

Jan 29th, 18:49

The PM has turned this whole affair into a circus. His actions are nothing more than a desperate and pathetic attempt to alienate the electorate from the country's real problems, but above all to garner some self respect from his own grass-roots. Just because he has lost the plot he came up with this innovative idea to hold a leadership contest, as if the result is not already known. Gonzi will have no one to contest him and the PN will turn this 'telenovela' into something of a victory for Dr. Gonzi.

Dr. Gonzi if you want to test your leadership and your government's majority do it in parliament. Perhaps that great and bold talker who until a few days ago had boasted that he will not support you or your cronies, especially that evil network which dictates matters, will have second thoughts and keep to his word.

Rocco Camilleri

Jan 29th, 18:40

I don't feel that this is going to give a true picture of Malta's situation because the party councilors does not represent the PN people. If this question of whether he is seen as leader to continue in his position has been asked secretly to his own MP's it would really make sense. All this problem is encountered because Dr.Gonzi has shouldered his incompetent Ministers responsabilities / accountability in their work. This surely was not the way to go from the first place when he took over the governance from Dr.Fenech Adami. If it was him he surely not have left this to boil up to this point . Dr.Gonzi presently is at a very critical position as well Malta most is going to suffer.

John Zammit

Jan 29th, 18:38

Is this democracy PN style Was Franco Right when he spoke in parliament about"XIBKA TA-HAZEN.The instability Malta Passing through will be increased.The more the Gonzi PN Prolong this situation the stablity of the Nation Increase

Joseph Bonnici

Jan 29th, 18:34

North Korea at it's best.

Saviour Cachia

Jan 29th, 18:34

Well I listened to Gonzi today. He played his card well. Take me or leave me he said clearly to all the organs of the party. A secret ballot, which unfortunately the PN had not yet the guts to extend to all the PN paid up members.
Gonzi himself said it is an issue of leadership, but the PN will not dare introduced the system now, as the MLP failed to introduced it when they were to appoint a new leader in 2007. Power to the few, not at least to the members. And what will be the attitude ofthe PN Mps now..after all those comments, starting from Franco Debono onwards?
Had Franco gone to Canossa? Had he a good cry on Gonzi's shoulder and told him: I love you, I love youand where you go I follow? Once Gonzi is approved leader, Debono will knee down and incense him, especially if there is a secret compromise that Gonzi will please him for the rest of the legislature?
I am a Labourite but will not care a hoot, if Gonzi remains in power till the end of the legislature. if this is really in the best interest of Malta. Let him continue with his big successes (sic!!??) and captain the ship through the big storm that will be hitting Europe in the coming months.
Joseph Muscat is being ill advised. He should sit pretty and wait till the appropriate time of the general elections, March/May 2013. Let Gonzi be happy, after all he is not seeing any instability in finance and economics, maybe just a touch of uncertainity within his party.
But the vote of the General Council of the PN will boost him on. Labourites do not despair..wait patiently and then let us see what the people wants. Gonzi thinks the electorate is such a fool that will be treading where angels fear to tread, and will elect the PN Government once more, IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MALTA!!!???
Or he is blindfolded and driving straight into the wall like Dr. Alfred Sant did in 1998? Gonzi did say one thing that carry some weight to the Labour Party, renew, remove those old faces. From the rest his speech was bullshit and twisted the political history of Malta to his liking with no qualms that Gonzi knows what the word facts means....he was short of memory of the sixties etc, the malta burning campaign and the biggest lie was that the Labour Party Government was not legitimate in 1981, when the Constitution sad so.
Gonzi even forget that in 1971, when Dom Mintoff won on the rules laid down by the same Constitution then, that what counted was the number of seats won not majority or not. After all that year, if i remember well the seat won by the late Notary Guze' Abela in the Qormi district was just by six preferences given to him by Nationalist voters. Yet the PN tried to bribe two of his deputies to cross the floor.
That's the democracy the PN believes in and how really for them Malta is first and foremost. Shame on you, Lawrence Gonzi.

P Mangion

Jan 29th, 18:33

Gonzi asked for a confidence vote, Debono should do the same and ask the party for a confidence vote too.

Robert Lewis

Jan 29th, 18:21

This is getting rather complicated. Lets say someone else contests Dr Gonzi (not an MP) and is elected, who is going to conceed his golden chair, no one. Now if Dr Gonzi is contested by Dr Debono and he is elected leader, Dr Gonzi will not support him, back to square one. Lets say Dr Gatt changes his mind and contest Dr Gonzi and is elected leader, Dr Debono will not support him, another problem. I bet all those who are not contesting the next election, which we heard are quite a lot, might as well have a go, nothing to loose, they can only gain.

mark borg

Jan 29th, 18:18

This is not a resignation :) ...LOLLLLLLLLLL halli jhekk hemm xi 1% cans li jitlifha, xorta jibqalhom hemm.....Loghob ta tfal zghar.....daqt jghidilna li se jghamel xi 5 a side ..il-klikka tieghu kontra team maghzul min Franco.

M Borg

Jan 29th, 18:17

@James Tyrrell (13.11)

Are you sure that you were referring to the situation in Malta in your comment? I know that you like to poke your nose into our affairs, but are you sure that you did not get your facts mixed up this time ?

Could it be that when you wrote " the country that you have been arrogantly ignoring for years, the country whose people you have ignored time and time again " was meant to be published in a British newspaper ?

It is in your country that people are coming out in the streets to protest against measures taken by your Government. It is in your country that students are being deprived form going to University because of high fees. It is in your country that many are in debt because of high energy rates. Thousands of civil servants have lost their jobs and many are jobless. Many are even losing their homes.All this is happening in the UK not in Malta.

The situation in Malta under Dr Gonzi is very different.

Students are given " cash " to help them through University. Pensions have been increased. Pensioners and people within a certain bracket are given subsidies to help them pay their energy bills. Chidren allowence has also been increased.very different to what is going on in your country.

Dr Gonzi has not ignored his country, but he has done his best to save it from the mess other countries, including yours, are in.

G Tonna

Jan 29th, 18:13

PN won 14 out of the past 21 general elections held in Malta.

This means the Nationalist have a 70% chance of getting it right again. Technically they are well equipped to challenge the labour's poor leadership, quality and ideas, and there is no reason why they should not get it right the next time around as well.

Labour has to wait until mid next year for an election to be held. By then the Nationalist would have exposed all the successes and major projects in the pipeline. The much awaited labour manifesto would have been out and everyone knows how able and ariculate the nationalist are at tearing it apart.

B. Cachia

Jan 29th, 17:57

What the PM needs to prove is not that he has a majority within the PN General Council but that he has a working majority in Parliament, which is still not at all clear.

M VASSALLO

Jan 29th, 17:55

This is the joke of the year.

mario gellel

Jan 29th, 17:53

IT IS MORE LIKE BAILOUT RATHER THAN A LEADERSHIP CONTEST. GONZI IS JUST PLAYING FOR TIME.
LEADERSHIP CONTESTS ONLY COME AFTER A ELECTORATE DEFEAT WHICH HE IS AFRAID OF.
HE IS LEAVING MALTA (not Rome) BURNING FOR HIS OWN SELFISH SKIN.

mark borg

Jan 29th, 17:51

This is not a resignation ...uzguuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ! mor obzor ma nafux kif int igranfat mas siggu !

Mr C Busuttil

Jan 29th, 17:49

Jigifieri jekk jikkontesta wahdu kif probabilment ha jigri ser kun hemm votazzjoni tipo Saddam Hussien li kien igieb 99%. Dr. Gonzi dak li qed taghmel ma jservi ghalxejn ghalkemm nifhem il-punt tieghek. Il-Maggoranza trid tkun fil-parlament mhux fil-partit.
Mhux ovvja lid-delegati huma kollha marbutin mieghek imma d-deputati fil-parlament mhux kollha mieghek. Jekk dan huwa xi parir ta' wiehed minn dawk ta' wara l-kwinti ahjar ma taghmilx kif qed jghidulek. Ghax dawk jaraw biss l-interess taghhom mhux tal-partit ghax aktar ma jdum il-gvern aktar igawdu huma. U dan anke jekk dan ifisser hsara lil partit, l-ewwel huma. Jafu li battalja persa li tirbah l-elezzjoni li jmiss anke f'cirkustanzi normali ahseb u ara kif qeghdin bhalissa

Gurnata wara l-ohra pudina wara l-ohra. Povra PN x'ghamilt hazin biex spiccajt hekk. Qed taqa ghac-cajt minhabba il-kilba ta' certu individwi. Nithassar lil Prim ghax qed jerfa huwa l-falliment ta' partit jew ahjar ta' dawk li hakmu l-partit u Dr. Gonzi ma jistax inehhihom issa ftit xhur minn elezzjoni generali jigri x'jigri fil-parlament.
Hemm bzonn tindifa nobis u dawn il-fatti qed jikkonvincuni aktar li tassew Debono ghandu ragun fuq hafna affarijiet.

carmelo buttigieg

Jan 29th, 17:44

If Dr Lawrence Gonzi wins this contest, he will have all the backing from his Party. But will he have the backing of all his MPs in Parliament? Will he still continue to govern without a majority in Parliament?

keith chetcuti

Jan 29th, 17:38

Kunu afu nies li il partit laburista amel 5 snin u nofs jigverna bla maggoranza mhux ta membru wiehed imma tal POPLU .mela sur muscat u il membri tijak kollha amlu pjacir lil poplu u aqtawha issa u hallu il gonzi u team tijaw ikomplu jahdmu bil kwiet tibzawx fejn ilkom kwart ta seklu tistennew biex tigvernaw issa stennew sena ohra al elezjoni humbat jigudika il poplu lil min jivvota . Biss il pl baqa fejn kien al xejn minalikom li inbdiltu ax lupu jibdel il gilda biss lupu jibqa ta u jiena nejx al kwiet inrid u dan is serhan tal mohh il pn biss jofrih .

S Cachia

Jan 29th, 17:36

I think this is one huge game played by the PN strategists to turn a loss into another success... It was a trap for Dr Muscat to lure him into believing that there was trouble lurking... he gave them fuel to attack him by hammering the motion of him trying to seize power... I do believe that it was one huge bluff... a dirty game to get back the dubious and win the sympathy of the voters... now the game is continuing by "sacrifising" his position to someone else so Dr Debono will not have any other "excuse" to abstain. This will enable the PN MPs to have majority once again where it comes to voting. The puncture is "replaced" and they can do the full term with no further excuses. Who knows maybe Dr Gonzi goes into oblivion for a couple of years after this "vote of confidence" and then we will see him as a president... well well well it's only a speculation but i'm trying to look at the big picture and everyone knows that the best strategists are in the PN....

Rachel Borg

Jan 29th, 17:34

This is the way to go. Brilliant decision by the Nationalist Party

Peppi Borg

Jan 29th, 17:32

And the wrestling contest between Gonzi and Franco continues. Gonzipn wants to tame Dr.Debono by holding a show of force of the great leader after no one would dare to contest him and once again the highest organ of the party gives him another standing ovation. Addio stability, national interest and democracy. I wonder what the european leaders would be thinking tomorrow when they meet the great leader.

Rachel Borg

Jan 29th, 17:26

An excellent speech by the Prime Minister - and a very good decision which caught labour totally by surprise

mark borg

Jan 29th, 17:23

Playing for time ...dreaming and praying god that Franco will break !
GONZI = JUKEBOX ....You could never tell what's coming next !

Francis Attard

Jan 29th, 17:22

Kont nistennija minn ghandek Dr Gonzi paprata bhal din. Mela tlett'ijiem ilu ftahart li rbaht vot ta' fiducja fil-parlament fejn minn 69 deputat, 34 minnhom mhumiex tal-partit tieghek u issa mort gewwa darek titlob vot ta' fiducja hemmhekk. Ma nimmaginax lil Sir Winston Churchill jaghmel cucata bhal din.

A Dimech

Jan 29th, 17:21

So simple:-

People voted GonziPN. If there is any doubt of the "gonzi" part of the equation "Gonzi + PN" then the people should be consulted again!!

Where is the petition asking Debono to resign? can someone tells me where this is please?!!
is it hidden? how many signitures there is? It is no use to ask 100 councillers to vot for you - face reality and the public if you want to know where you stand!!

Robert Agius

Jan 29th, 17:20

ps. If 35 members in parliament would be symbolic, then I don't expect anyone to get paid for that.

mark borg

Jan 29th, 17:19

L'Anqas Ghaddafi jew xi dittatur iehor tal Maghareb qatt ma gietu f rashu din !LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Robert Agius

Jan 29th, 17:18

'He was inviting everyone to confirm him or contest him, but if he was not contested than he expected everyone to toe the line and respect the decision of the councillors.' In that case there should only be two people voting in parliament.

mark borg

Jan 29th, 17:17

Lol...Wahda isbah mil-ohra ,naqra ohra missu jghamel elezzjoni go id -dar tieghu u mal familja tieghu Dr.Gonzi ...halli forsi jkollhu maggoranza zgur hemm (u nidubita serjament )...............Insomma ghandna PM mit tnejn sal-hadd jifqana bid dahq....never a dull moment ! U il-kummiedja tkompli :)

R. Borg

Jan 29th, 17:16

Loghob tat tfal. SOS

A. Mizzi

Jan 29th, 17:08

Pathethic!

Is this what Dr. Gonzi is offering , a choice that is at the end of the day no choice at all?

He needs to convince himself first , if he wants to convince others ...and not only the Party faithful!

Utterly pathetic!

M.Dolores Vassallo

Jan 29th, 17:08

Ghalxejn qedin thanqbu hbieb tieghi, ghax ga qal mux ha jajat elezzjoni avolja ma ghandux Maggoranza, insejtu li ftit taz-zmien hilu mar kontra r-rieda tal-Poplu fir-riferendum tad-devorzju. Dik hi s-sistema GonziPn suppost il-buzullotti spiccaw u ghallek darba ohra ha nivvota PL.

Joe Grech

Jan 29th, 16:52

It is a fact that Dr. Gonzi requires a majority in Parliament, Malta' highest institution and NOT a majority in the P.N.
However, if Dr. Gonzi REALLY wants to know whether the P.N. M.P.s are still behind him as party leader and Prime Minister all that he has to do is to hold a secret ballot amongst the P.N. M.P.s and ask them all to answer a single question:

'Do you still back Dr. Lawrence Gonzi as Prime Minister? Please answer by ticking YES or NO

Holding a Leadership Contest under the prevailing circumstances just won't do.

Peter Saliba

Jan 29th, 16:46

Dan l-agir kollu ta' GonziPN ikompli jikkonferma kemm il-partit nazzjonalista wasal fi tmiemu. Kienet saret daqs tant propoganda fuq Gonzi + Pn = GonziPN; u issa Gonzi ser jerhi r-riedni?

Kemm qal sewwa, min qal li l-elezzjoni hija l-unika soluzzjoni ghal dan il-pajjiz... Li mhux forsi qed jindunaw in-nazzjonalisit huwa l-fatt li izjed ma jdumu ma jsejhu elezzjoni, izjed qed ikissru lilhom infushom u l-kredibilita' tal-poplu Malti.

Mark Anthony Cassar

Jan 29th, 16:44

Ghalija li qed issir min naha tal PN kollu teatrini u kif qal Lou Bondi, messa in scena.

Let's just get over with it... this problem is taking too long to solve. Malta ila ma tafx kif hini min November!

Carmel Zammit

Jan 29th, 16:43

Who is gonzipn trying to fool? Dr. Gonzi should fight his battle on the battle ground not in the playing field. what a laugh!!! At least we got some humour at last!!!

John Camilleri Baron

Jan 29th, 16:42

Better off voting Lejber this time around... 1vote gives you multiple rewards. Have a look at this clip for a good laugh. Happy Sunday to everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gas9J56vFv0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

d. attard

Jan 29th, 16:35

I believe that the PN and Dr Gonzi in particular have got their knickers in a complete irreversable twist. We are told that this is not a time for elections and soon afterwards Gonzi proposes an election for PN Leadership. Outstandingly amazing I say.

Mario Vella

Jan 29th, 16:34

Unless gonzi resigns it will not be a free contest. Do not play with democracy dottore or else you will be mimicking Benito.

Tonio Micallef

Jan 29th, 16:32

Jigifieri l-pajjiz irid jistenna xahrejn ohra biex ikun jaf jekk Gonzi ghandux il-maggoranza tal-partit tieghu warajh? U tkompli tizdied l-incertezza ghax min jaf f'dawn ix-xahrejn kemm se jssinnu skieken u jwahhlu stalletti f'dahar xulxin. Dan kollu ha jkompli johloq aktar instabbilta fil-pajjiz u jaghti l-impressjoni lill-barranin li l-anqas biss nafu min hu l-prim ministru tal-pajjiz. Din il-bicca ha ttul wisq. Irridu nkunu nafu x'se jaghmel Franco Debono fil-parlament. Jekk dan jibqa' ma jattendix, il-president Gorg Abela ghandu jibghat ghal prim ministru u jitolbu jsolvi l-problema minnufih.

Liza Zarb

Jan 29th, 16:30

Ma nafx illum baqax xi hadd li ighidilna li hawn pajjiz stabbli ? Is-Sitwazzjoni tant hi gravi li illum komplit tohrog u b li ghamel gonzi pn iktar se iggib instabilita f'pajjzna. Miskin il-haddiem ghax jekk nibqghu f din il -kirizi telf ta impjiegi se ikollna.

Li ghamel illum li iried li jerga jigi re elett leader huwa biss biex jinhela il-hin u jirbhu izjed hin , xejn iktar u xejn izjed. U hawn xi hadd jahseb li se ikun fair dan il-kontest ghal leadership? Kieku riedu nadif u transparenti kien jirrezenja biex ma ikollhux sahha fuq il-magna tal-partit.

m borg

Jan 29th, 16:16

Mela daqt ikolna r-Re tal-karnival ixejjer u jitbissem fuq il-pn gravy train.

Peppi Borg

Jan 29th, 16:14

Democracy gonzipn style, even though they think they are the experts in the field because if Gonzi truly believed in democracy he would have resigned first, then let the democratic process of electing a leader. But his thirst for power made him give himself a headstart in this farce leadership contest.

What a silly solution gonzipn came up with to solve instability! All they did is that they extended their lifetime by a few weeks more! Franco Debono was right in calling the clique "Xibka tal-Hazen" ...... and the people will be treated as toys for some more. Where does the national interest fits in all this? Is this Gonzipn's answer for Franco Debono's allegations????

Anthony Camilleri

Jan 29th, 16:05

When Fidel Castro wanted to stay as Cuba's supremo forever, he gathered his supporters in Havana's main square and from the overlooking balcony asked them "Do you want me to be your president for life?"
"Yeeeees", shouted the crowd. "You see?. The people want me to stay on", he yelled back.
Gonzi did practically the same at Pieta`. Instead of facing the Maltese people in an election, he went to his diehards and asked for their support.

Victor Calleja

Jan 29th, 15:59

You have to resign first. Play it fair.

Eve Axiaq

Jan 29th, 15:57

'Not the right time for an election because of the economy', Allura kieku l- legislatura tal- gvern se taghlaq xorta ma ssejjahx elezzjoni??? Jew ghax ghadkhom m' ghamiltux il- kampanja ta' pjaciri?

MARIO ZERAFA

Jan 29th, 15:54

I think that if really DR Gonzi knows that we all ultimately want the common good he should act responsibly.Since the no confidence motion was held by the vote of the speaker he should seek a secret vote in parliament without the aid of the speaker to assure he has the majority by which he can keep on a stable administration. The speaker is not an elected member of the house and therefore does not and should not interferer with decisions of such importance. I think that in Malta we should have an election where both the President and the Speaker will be elected by the people and this will be separate from those of electing the house. We hold elections for local councils and such important places are chosen by the government when these are so detrimental when such occasions take place. What Dr Gonzi is doing is beating around the bush just to gain time but in the end it will pay badly on the PN and the country. I hope that he will find a clear solution so that the current issue will be resolved.

Mark zammit

Jan 29th, 15:50

Come on..its obvious that no one will contest him! Who is going to contest him to be a PM for the last year before elections? Lets get on with it...Remain in power for the last year and then its time for the electorate to cast their votes again! Better concentrate on other important things!!!

Stephen Florian

Jan 29th, 15:48

Carnival season is hereby declared open.... and we the people shall be paying for it.

mario salnitro

Jan 29th, 15:48

Its not Gonzi but all the system it just stinks we need new ideas and the whole system has to changed.
when you have a bad weed it has to be uprooted not cut.

J. Camenzuli

Jan 29th, 15:47

Jien ghalija,vera ta min jghid prosit lill Prim ministru Lawrence Gonzi.Illum wera bic-car li jrid jimxi b'irgulija.Jien ghalija f'hafna topics,Dr.franco debono ghandu ragunijiet validissimi u nemmen li huwa element importanti fil-Partit Nazzjonalista.
Pero sfortunatament,min-naha ta l-oppoizjoni hemm tahlita ta min hu pruzuntus u mohhu biex ikun l-izghar prim ta'malta u nies li ilhom fil-politika u li nafu xi jsarrfu.Nies mhux konsistenti,ibda mil-leader li l-ewwel kien qatta bla habel kontra l-Ewropa imbghad kien l=ewwel kandidat li prezenta ruhu.Partit li ftit li xejn jurina xi programm ghandu...Timmaginaw kif qeghdin bhalissa kieku waqt din il-krizi internazzjonali kien hemm Il-Labour fil-Gvern?
Ghalhekk,din id-decizjoni ta llum li ha Dr.Gonzi hija l-aqwa fl'interess tal-pajjiz.Jehtieg li naraw x'jghidu l-maggoranza tad-delegati.Imbghad Franco Debono,li ghandu dritt jibqa jikkritika,pero jkollu kollu jaccetta li jahdem f'dan il-Partit li jibqa l-uniku kapaci jmexxi l-pajjiz il-quddiem.

Maria Zammit

Jan 29th, 15:46

A step in the right direction but not well thought out unless he wishes to go uncontested.

Don't think anyone will have the guts to put forward his nomination for obvious reasons so the best way forward is for the General Council to nominate candidates secretly then should those nominated accept to participate in the election will the General Council have a secret election for the position of Prime Minister.

S. Caruana

Jan 29th, 15:43

Dr. Gonzi tlift il-pote,r u flok tiksbu lura permezz ta'elezjoni kontra l-isfidant principali l-Kap ta' l-Oppozizzjoni, mort fil-familja tieghek tistieden sfida li ma ssolvi xejn mill-maggoranza mitlufa tieghek.Jista xi hadd jighdli minn se jkun dak in-naghga tas-sagrificcju li jikontesta l-Gonzi f'dan il-mument? jew qed tahsbuna imtaten.Jekk l-oppozizzjoni m'ghandha xejn x'toffri u minn naha l-ohra l-PN full marks f'kollox, ma narax ghalfejn qed tkaxxkar saqqajk jew dan parrir iehor minn tal-klikka biex jibqaghu jieklu bicca ohra.

Mr Hans Borg

Jan 29th, 15:39

No matter what the Prime Minister says, this move clearly shows that GonziPN’s problems lie within his party. Today, he made sure that the likes of Simon Busuttil, Marrio Demarco, Tonio Fenech and John Dalli back off.

R. Gauci

Jan 29th, 15:37

Secret ballot?? But who will dare challenge him?? Please someone come forward hahahaha!!

vincent busuttil

Jan 29th, 15:32

Franco said that he will vot against Gonzi; so the issue is in parlament and not on party

M Saliba

Jan 29th, 15:28

The PN and Alternattiva are insisting on an early election. These two parties represent more than 50% of the electorate, and so their say should be respected. After weeks of debates and discussion the result is that GonziPN does not enjoy the support of the majority in parliament.
Enough time was wasted trying to solve party problems and the country wants to move on, rather than staying in election mode for the next twelve months, waiting for Dr Gonzi to re-establish the party.
As a prime minister Dr Gonzi should seek the support of the Maltese people through a general election, rather than through the support of the faithful party delegates. The party delegates represent GonziPN and not the Maltese population .The elected representatives of the people in parliament are the persons who have the right and duty to determine who should be the prime minister of Malta.

anton cassar

Jan 29th, 15:27

Gonzi is prolonging the agony within his party.......What does he really think he is going to gain with this ???

A Dimech

Jan 29th, 15:24

If Gonzi really won last Thursday's vot in Parliament - why then is he asking for his confirmation?!!

The truth hurts - and that is PN has no majority in Parliament!!

Claudio Cilia

Jan 29th, 15:18

Haters gonna Hate :P

Tony Busuttil

Jan 29th, 15:13

kummidja ohra
if Franco Debono rocked the boat so hard why dont you propose him for leadership

M Borg

Jan 29th, 15:10

@James Tyrrell (13.11)

Are you sure that you were referring to the situation in Malta in your comment? I know that you like to poke your nose into our affairs, but are you sure that you did not get your facts mixed up this time ?

Could it be that when you wrote " the country that you have been arrogantly ignoring for years, the country whose people you have ignored time and time again " it was meant to be published in a British newspaper ?

It is in your country that people are coming out in the streets to protest against measures taken by your Government. It is in your country that students are being deprived form going to University because of high fees. It is in your country that many are in debt because of high energy rates. Thousands of civil servants have lost their jobs and many are jobless. Many are even losing their homes.

The situation in Malta under Dr Gonzi is very different.

Students are given " cash " to help them through University. Pensions have been increased. Pensioners and people within a certain bracklet are given subsidies to help them pay their energy bills. Chidren allowence has also been increased.very different to what is going on in your country.

Dr Gonzi has not ignored his country, but he has done his best to save it from the mess other countries, including yours, are in.

J. Mifsud

Jan 29th, 15:09

Will they give ALL their members a vote. During the MLP leadership election the PN said that in this day and age all members should be able to vote for the party leader, or was it all Maltese Nationals should be given the chance to vote since he might be elected Prime Minister?

raymond scicluna

Jan 29th, 15:07

issa jekk vera jrid jilhaq prim ministru dr debono ghandu c cans tad deheb!!jew jibza li jgib vot wiehed jew tnejn!!

Noel Mifsud

Jan 29th, 15:04

Ara veru jismt alil dawk ta quddiemu nies bla mohh ghaqx lanqas irid najda. Mela ma ghandux fiducja parlamentari u se jmur quddiem l ezekkutiv. Lanqas irid nemmne kif hareg b wahda bhal din, u jajjar in nies mejtin ghal poter. Kieku ma ghamel xejn kien ikun hafna ahjar. Dan irid li miskin jekk jirbah hu ikolli l fiducja ta kulhadd ghax hekk tghid id demokrazija, imma qed jinsa li Franco Debpono qal li ma ghandix fiducja fih, number 1 u li ma ghadux membru tal PN, allura kif trid i kollu fiducja, dik mhux demokrazija imma impozzizjoni. Debobo qal li iridu jerfaw ir responsabilita mhux hux biss, fejn hu Austin Gatt, Dolores Christina, PUllicino, MIfsuid Bonnici dawn se jibqaw ippapuha. Alla hares hawn f dal pajjiz li xi hadd jemmnu ghax allura madwar id dinja min jirrizenja ikun qed jagahmel hazin, u jekk kif qal hu ghax hu se jerfaq ta kulhadd, mhux biex nahb ilhom ta hbieb ara ma tahsbux, allura skond hu hu sar dittatur. Gonzi please ieqaf taqa ghac cajt ma dal poplu.

Paul Borg

Jan 29th, 14:59

I would think that this latest twist would increase the instability in the country. Now we have a leadership contest of the party in Government and uncertainty as to whether that sane party has a majority in parliament.

Robert Lewis

Jan 29th, 14:57

Do you know what a rubik cube puzzle is. The more you twist it the more complictaed it becomes, and the only way to sort it out is by being an expert in it.

A Dimech

Jan 29th, 14:56

No Majority in parlianet asks for the situation to be sovled in the parliament - which is elected by the people.

If it cannot be solved there, then the people should be consulted!!

Not il-Klikka!! x'tistenna mill-Kunsilliera!

Mrs Louise Calleja

Jan 29th, 14:55

What a gentleman - now any bad loser trying to manipulate from beyond our shores can throw down the glove if he has the guts to do so!

K.J. Sammut

Jan 29th, 14:53

I hope that no one complains or argues that Dr Gonzi's solution to go for a secret vote for the PNs leadership, is not a correct solution in the circumstances we are faced with in the country.

Dr Debono who had all the opportunity in the world to vote in favour of a vote of no confidence in the government, abstained. His message is now clear, if he is logical in his behavior. He simply has no confidence in the leader (the prime minister).

Given that he is asking for a change in leadership and there are some others who might agree with him within the parliamentary group, than Dr Gonzi's way forward is correct and democratic. Dr Debono has also the opportunity to contest Dr Gonzi given that he has so many ideas and is full of energy. If he beats Dr Gonzi he shall be the youngest prime minister before Dr Muscat! I hope that he will acknowledge that Dr Gonzi's move is fair and democratic. It is up to him now but he cannot forget about his responsibility in this whole issue. Dr Debono just do what you need to do but do not play more games. You cannot expect to play games without shouldering responsibility. Why don't you cross parties and make Dr Muscat prime minister?

John Rizzo

Jan 29th, 14:51

Gonzi undertook such a decision because he is more than sure that NOBODY will dare contest him and his clique knows this very well and will do all in it's control to keep GonziPN not falling apart!
Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, you know you are bluffing. You have no majority in the House and your bluff will be called.
Gone are the days of "tellieqa bejn il-hbieb" which saw Galea and Dalli off from the PN, not to talk about the "Par Idejn Sodi"! Your time is up!

Jonathan Scerri

Jan 29th, 14:49

How's that for an easy "win" ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKgkYxWoZ-M

E. Azzopardi

Jan 29th, 14:47

Not good enough. What should have been done is to have a secret vote whether the council still wants this PN. That would have been the fairest. In my opinion, if any body else contests, then he/she will be finished politically.We have been through this before. Anyway, going to the PN council is not on. The council can say a million times that they want Dr. Gonzi as PM. but nothing, nothing will be solved. I do not know why all this circus and waste of time.This has to be solved in Parliament, as this country needs this administration to stay till the end for the benefit of the country. This is most important now and not all this bad, repeat bad PR.

Joseph Brincat

Jan 29th, 14:40

KUMMIDJA OHRA TA-GONZI

Lara Vella

Jan 29th, 14:35

PN ma tridux elezzjoni...ghax tafu li se titilfu!

@ braden sammut, nicholas cassar u joseph cutajar:
ergu aqraw l instructions: uzaw kliem differenti u taghmlux copy u paste :)

Ramon Casha

Jan 29th, 14:35

Here's a better idea: FIRST have a secret vote of confidence to determine whether they feel a new leader is needed. If you don't get a STRONG, CLEAR majority, resign. This is not parliament where you can scrape through with a mere 50% support. This is your own party and you should expect at least 85% support.

As long as Gonzi is there it's unlikely that there will be any challengers. They all saw what happened to John Dalli.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 29th, 14:35

Nobody will challenge the leader and even if they do Gonzi will still manage a minimum of 95% support within his party or maybe 100% In spite of it all he would still need Franco's vote in Parliament to enable him to carry on with the show.

J. Mifsud

Jan 29th, 14:33

If the PN changes the leader choosing wisely, they will have a good chance of winning the next election. Only if the Regime Franco Debono spoke against is removed including RCC and especially Austin Gatt.

Oliver Grech

Jan 29th, 14:32

From a few comments below it seems that tal MLP are not happy with the situation now. They are just saying bla bla bla without good valid comments. U waqajna f tajjir biss...jidher li qed jinfiskaw u mhux ftit.

Kevin Tanti

Jan 29th, 14:32

Nahseb aqta kemm ser ikun ikkontestat! Hadd ma jikkontesta hliefu u jghidu li l-partit kollu warajh

Lawrence Fenech

Jan 29th, 14:31

Not a resignation but a good chance of one.

D Farrugia

Jan 29th, 14:28

'All my people love me'....

Think!

Charles Micallef

Jan 29th, 14:25

Dr Gonzi said, he was assuming responsibility for the government's decisions. He would be the first to admit that some of the decisions were wrong and others could have been handled better ... that must be the under statement of the year!

Charles Micallef

Jan 29th, 14:23

Gonzi - What I proposed is a leadership contest where I will be a candidate …..first he demonizes and banishes all his opponents and then he wants a leadership contest... no wonder he won the previous leadership race!

DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,

Jan 29th, 14:21

Please study the hands` postures of these three sitting ducks : PBO says it all - indeed he could not have expressed it better; LG is almost as close to PBO; while TB is still reflecting whether he is also getting there. The high and the low of this sordid scenario is that WE THE PEOPLE are not being listened to under one limp excuse against another lame one!! WE THE PEOPLE are getting ftiff bored and fed up. LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, not to the VOICE OF THE LACKEYS, Listen to Democracy not to the capricious Encircled Circle, Listen to REASON not to the EGO........................................WE THE PEOPLE make up our country, the House of Representatives = WE THE PEOPLE`s REPRESENTATIVES,not those of a few Councillors of any Party......................for the sake of our country, WE THE PEOPLE demand Stability & Security; Accountability & Transparency; Peace in Progress, run by WE THE PEOPLE. Conclusion : dissolve Parliament and GO for General Elections. This is the VOICE OF WE THE PEOPLE oracling to its Power-Possessed Politicians. Heed the advice.

Victor Laiviera

Jan 29th, 14:20

A leadership contest where Gonzi remains Leader up to the vote is a ridiculous farce. If he wants to be serious, he should resign now and the Party appoint an interim leader - someone neutral who does not intend to contest.

That is how things are done.

Of course, this is just "bżar fl-għajnejn".

William Flynn

Jan 29th, 14:16

And about time, too. As I have been saying since the divorce referendum, this should have been done the day after the referendum. By now the PN would be shining, re-energized with new blood. Instead look at it all over the place like a crashed Ferrari in a Grand Prix.

And even now they procrastinate. The PN leadership should have been settled, cut and dried, to day.

For goodness sakes; how long does it take for 34 persons to elect or confirm a leader?

Our PM is going to meet with world leaders tomorrow looking very much the lame duck and make the whole country look indecisive.

Robert Lewis

Jan 29th, 14:16

Will the Speaker cast his vote in the PN general Council, I mean as a Speaker this time not as a member of the council. I would like to ask the following question to someone who is an expert in politics. Lets say it was the other way round and Dr Gonzi had called a vote of confidence in Parliament like he did in November, instead of Labour calling for a no confidence vote, and the result woud have been like last thursday's, i.e. 34 - 34 and one abstention, what would have been the end result as regards our Constitution, would it have been a different scenario.

Henry Mifsud

Jan 29th, 14:11

I have patiently listened to all the speeches this morning and also to the press conference which the PM gave afterwards. His action will not solve the present problems he is facing in Parliament. If anything it is leading to more instability. Why?
If he is chosen to continue leading the PN and as PM, the government, he would still be facing resistance from Dr. Franco Debono. Lest we forget that the PN no longer enjoy majority in the House and Dr. Debono never changed his position against Dr. Gonzi and his 'clique'.
If on the other hand he is replaced by a new contender and this contender happens to be one of the 'clique' to which Dr. Debono has been referring to, he or she would unlikely find Dr. Debono's support. Dr. Gonzi hinted that only those who qualify to contend will be expected to do so; meaning what?
This affirms strongly how right Dr. Debono is.
The third scenario would be that a new contender is chosen to replace Dr. Gonzi and who finds favour with Dr. Debono. But what if he or she does not find favour with JPO, Arrigo, Mugliett or any other disgruntled backbencher?
Quo Vadis GonziPN?

VINCENT WILLIAMS

Jan 29th, 14:08

But what's got to do the election for a new PN leader with GonziPartitNegattiv's lost majority in Parliament?

What's got to do our country's instability with a contest for the PN's leadership when it is clear that Malta's political instability is because of GonziPartitNegattiv in Parliament?

What's got to do our country if Dr Lawrence Gonzi will be elected again leader of the PN BUT STILL COULD NOT ENJOY A MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT?

At least Dr Lawrence Gonzi should have resigned from Prime Minister so that someone else from the Nationalists MPs could take his post. But than it seems that the PM still believes what he stated to the ex-Ambassadress of the USA that he has no talent to choose from for his cabinet. The facts clearly shows that the PN is very short of providing talents to run our country.

To stop the country's instability Dr Lawrence Gonzi should have resigned from the post as Prime Minister and could have kept the leadership of the PN. But GonziPartitNegattiv works the other way round in politics. For by resigning from the post of PM the instability could have been solved. But by resigning as the leader of the PN but keep the post of PM Dr Lawrence Gonzi is not going to solve the instability that the country was brought in by GonziPartitNegattiv!!!!!!!!!

The shame is that our Prime Minister when visiting the Summit of the EU the coming week will be the ONLY PRIME MINISTER IN THE WHOLE OF THE EU THAT HAS NO MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT. What a shame our country is in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If such a case happened in any other country in the EU, that is a government has no more majority in Parliamen. Be sure that government has already resigned so that elections could be held.

Who said that GonziPartitNegattiv is not trying hard to keep cling to power at all cost.

Joseph Cauchi Senior

Jan 29th, 14:06

Obviously this is not music to the PL’s ears, as they thought that their (prattikament) PM was soon about to be anointed!

JC.

Tonio Bone

Jan 29th, 14:05

Simon Busuttil could be a realistic alternative!

C Galea

Jan 29th, 14:05

Dr Gonzi if you really got at heart the best solution for all of us can for an election .

Franco is still in power .

Mr Eric Camilleri

Jan 29th, 14:05

Jekk irid process biex jara l-fiducja mhux min huwa tal-fhema tieghu irid jiskrytinjah izda l-poplu Malti u Ghawdxin. U dawk kollha li qeghdin jahsbu li din ghamila ghaliex ihobb lil pajiz sejrin zball.

Fl-intern tal-partit ghaddejin manuvri biex jitnehha Gonzi u dan kullhadd jafu.

Kulhadd jaf li L-PN ma' fadallux hajja ghalhekk qedin jixtru l-hin

Qeghdin isiru l-istess zbalji li ghamel il-PL fl-1998, kullhadd wara l-mexxej, hargu ta' bravi imbaghd !!! Ghax tilfu wahda u tajba u tilfu it-3 ta' wara.

Ghamel l-elezzjoni la il-pajjiz miexi tajjeb u kullhadd ferhan!!!!

Mario J Spiteri

Jan 29th, 14:02

Who needs those who condemn the past old days & do the same in a different manner?

John Zammit

Jan 29th, 14:01

What a great leader! a True show of democracy....JM could learn a thing or two about being a real man in politics and not keep trying to cause instability for his own gain!

Mark Vella Bardon

Jan 29th, 14:00

I quote: "Dr Gonzi said Dr Debono had made valid problems which the government wanted to legislatate upon"
The Hon. Dr. Debono might have "made problems" for the PN and the government but the truth is that he identified serious problems that have been eroding the credibility of this government.
It is a pity that the buck stops at the Prime Minister. But this is his own choice, once he cannot give the boot to who is delivering badly and/or incompetently.

Paul Micallef

Jan 29th, 13:59

DALLI ejja lura, u ohrog int, issa ic-chance biex tkisser il klikkek.

Mark Vella Bardon

Jan 29th, 13:56

I quote: "Dr Gonzi said Dr Debono had made valid problems which the government wanted to legislatate upon"
The Hon. Dr. Debono might have "made problems" for the PN and the government but the truth is that he identified serious problems that have been eroding the credibility of this government.
It is a pity that the buck stops at the Prime Minister. But this is his own choice, once he cannot give the boot to who is delivering badly and/or incompetently.

Chris Azzopardi

Jan 29th, 13:55

Wara lum kulhadd jista jikonferma li dan il-gvern qijed hem ghal partit tieghu biss u mhux ghal poplu kollu. Li kiku qijed hem ghal poplu kollu kiku jsejjah l-elezjoni generali hali l-poplu kollu jigudikak mux nies tieghu biss.. Tkompli turu bic-car kem intom qeghdin hem haba l-poter u qed tibzghaw mil-elezzjoni u li qed taghmlu minn kollox biex tirbhu iktar hin

Paul Cassar

Jan 29th, 13:53

THE 35/35 VOTE HAPPENED IN PARLIAMENT...the speaker's vote is VALID but not LEGITIMATE as the speaker in not elected by us but chosen by you.

YOUR ACTIONS AFFECT ALL MALTESE.................so how come you go to the Party ?????

BE BOLD AND A CREDIBLE............................ PROVE YOURSELF WITH THE NATION............................

THROUGH NATIONAL NOT JUST PARTY ELECTIONS......................THEN WE WILL ACCEPT YOU

George Debono

Jan 29th, 13:52

This is not a resignation but a perfectly logical step. The party issue has to be settled in this way. Joseph Muscat and his merry band of hangers on, deviants, guzzlers at troughs, elves and trolls would do well to take lessons from the masterly speech of today. Last week it was the boys. Today the men and women of substance have spoken, showing why the PN DESERVES to be in Government for the foreseeable future whilst the MLP is to languish in the never never land its leader has led them into.

Marija Falzon

Jan 29th, 13:52

And who in his senses will contest an incumbent leader, when we all know what happened to people like John Dalli? Who will try to take it against the current regime to be treated like Cyrus Engerer? Pull another one.

J Busuttil

Jan 29th, 13:51

I have expected the comments from Labour bloggers below and those to come as they ( PL) do not even know where democracy stands it is way above their understanding. Joseph might be trying but with the people of the 80's around him PL has to wait quite some time.

Joseph Brincat

Jan 29th, 13:50

A LOT OF BA BA BA AND WASTE OF TIME !!!!!!

GONZI PN SHOUD SEEK A SECRET

VOTE IN THE PARLIAMENT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paul Micallef

Jan 29th, 13:48

IRRRIIIDUHHH IRRRIDUHHH U LIL DEMARCO IIIIRRRIDUHHH,

Zagroma Savrene

Jan 29th, 13:48

What's the point isn't it obvious most will vote for Gonzi?

J Galea

Jan 29th, 13:45

It is a great pity that the Nationalist Party is risking 15 years in opposition when it could have gone to the polls and risked 5 years instead, maybe, who knows, even winning. A democracy is best served by having at least two potential viable administrations in waiting. Short sighted politics is getting the better of even the self interest of the PN. The intelligent floating voters will not forget these antics when it does come to the polls and potentially for a long time after.

sharon camilleri

Jan 29th, 13:42

If he wants to be democratic he should call an election asap...

Alfred Vassallo

Jan 29th, 13:40

Gonzi the vote was taken in parliament and not in the pn General Conference. Secret vote or not it will be manipulated to suit you. Who is going to believe otherwise. Kun ghaf li il hobs min halqna nikluh.

Francis Farrugia

Jan 29th, 13:39

Il-poplu ghazel lill PN biex jiggverna. Lill Dr. Gonzi Ghazlu il=partit bhala leader u PM. Dr. Debono qatt ma qal li ma jaqbilx mal-Partit imma li ma jaqbilx mal PM. Issa Dr. Debono ma jivvutax mal-Gvern ghax hemm Dr. Gonzi. Mela Dr. Gonzi Ghamel sew li fetah l-ghazla ghall Leader iehor. Imma issa jekk Dr. Gonzi jerga jigi mghazul bhala leader ( U DAN JIGI MGHAZUL MILL-PARTIT U MHUX MILL-POPLU MALTI) u Dr. Debono jibqa bl-istess idea Ghallura wiehed jistenna li Dr. Debono jirrizenja kemm mill-parlament u anke mill-partit.

C. Mifsud

Jan 29th, 13:38

Buying more precious time at the expense of stability. The PM's problems are in parliament NOT in his party (at least I think so).

Pat Hobson

Jan 29th, 13:36

Sorry Mr. Prime Minister. It is not the councillors' vote you should seeking, but the Maltese electorate!

T. Muscat

Jan 29th, 13:35

Biex l-elezzjoni ghal-leader tkun process fair u demokratiku il-priministru irid jikkontesta bhala kandidat bhall-ohrajn u mhux bhala il-kap. Ghalhekk ghandu jirrizenja mill-kariga biex ma jkunx ivvantagjat

Mr D.S. Scott

Jan 29th, 13:34

Who needs J.muscat and the old cronies of the 1970' s ?

Joseph Laus

Jan 29th, 13:33

Issa Jigi Il kunsill U jivvota fil parlament ,,,mhux minghand Franco Iridu ....Il Kunsill biex ihallih mexxej tal-partit mhux mexxej tal- Maltin,,,,Dak narawh meta tigi Elezzjoni........Mar jibki quddiem il Kunsiklliera lol

Wayne Criggs

Jan 29th, 13:33

The majority in Parliament and probably even in the streets do not want Gonzi as Prime Minister. A PN leadership contest will solve nothing. Gonzi is just playing for time, and in the meantime Malta will be suffering for his greed to remain in power.
Thanks but no thanks.
Time to say goodbye to that beloved seat Dr Gonzi.

John L Galea

Jan 29th, 13:33

"The MP (Franco Debono) had given his reasons for his abstention, and Dr Gonzi said he had heard every word that was said and was giving every word its importance. The speech was based on a call for shouldering of responsibilities." - it's about time that you start considering to shoulder responsibilities for all the wrongdoings you and your bunch of money suckers have done. But let's not dream, the fact will be that nothing will happen. GonziPN is just buying time, by dishing out emotive speeches and trying to look as humble as possible, most probably he will give FD some comfortable token to shut up and such dirty maneuver will go on till the elections. Power is too sweet to give up eeehhh dear Gonzi!!!

Joseph Brincat

Jan 29th, 13:33

The truth is a lot of BA. BA BA and wast of time > HELP <

A Dimech

Jan 29th, 13:32

spot the loop:-

Lest nservi lil Klikka, U jitlob lil Klikka biex tivvutali!!

Prosit - true democracy!!

A. Schembri

Jan 29th, 13:30

il fiducja ta gonzi trid tigi mill poplu mux mill kunsillieri li jafu biss icapacpu

Braden Sammut

Jan 29th, 13:29

This is not a vote of confidence but an open contest for the leadership; a true democratic process to remove instability.

chris montebello

Jan 29th, 13:29

@ Branden Sammut

LOL!! Min ser jikkontestah issa ftit xhur qabel l- elezzjoni u jafu li il-PN ghandu telfa? Jekk xi hadd jilhaq issa bhala leader tal PN flok Gonzi u jitlef l- elezzjoni ikollu jirrezenja minn kap!! Gonzi ghamel din il- mossa ghax jaf li hadd ma hu ser jikkontestah, drajnieh issa lill gonzi, din bhall tar referendum tad-divorzju, gonzi sejjah ghar referendum ghax haseb ( minhabba il- pariri hziena li tawh) li il- popolazzjoni hija kontra id-divorzju u i-referendum ma jghaddix. Jekk mhux iggranfat mal poter missu sejjah elezzjoni jew irrezenja ghax din is-sitwazzjoni hu gabha u hu responsabbli ghaliha u mhux joqghod jaghmel it-tejatrini quddiem il- kunsilliera. Il- problema fil- parlament qieghda u mhux tal pieta!!

Mr Hans Borg

Jan 29th, 13:26

With this move GonziPN has just extended it's lifetime by at least another two months.

Peter Sant

Jan 29th, 13:23

Dawra durella, qed jamel il gvern ta gonzi.. i hope li jekk tasal l elezjoni qabel... il maltin ma jaqawx fin nasba ta dan il gvern imbruljun...

Jennifer Ann Callus

Jan 29th, 13:22

Sinjal car ta' Prim Ministru li lest li jkompli l-mandat li tah il-poplu b'umilta'.

Joseph Cutajar

Jan 29th, 13:22

Il-vot diga` sar fil-Parlament, tipprovawx tqarrqu bin-nies. Il-mozzjoni ta' sfiducja m'ghaddietx, u dik hi r-realta`.

Il-Prim Ministru qed jaghmel pass naturali u demokratiku.

A Dimech

Jan 29th, 13:21

If he wants a true contest, he knows what he needs to do :- CALL an election!

m borg

Jan 29th, 13:20

Oh what a circus. Starring ... gonzifonzipn

John L Galea

Jan 29th, 13:20

Ghax ball li kieku xi hadd ha jikkontestah, par idejn sdi bhal dawk...lol

Jeremy Magri

Jan 29th, 13:20

PN was and is still a symbol of Democracy. Gonzi's decision today is a show of maturity and of a great leader.

Mary Spiteri

Jan 29th, 13:17

IL-MOZZJONI TA' MUSCAT M'GHADDIET, IMMA KAP TA' PARTIT SERJU XORTA JIFTAH ELEZZJONI INTERNA MIFTUHA U DEMOKRATIKA

Nicholas Cassar

Jan 29th, 13:17

Ghal min qed jghid li din hi issue nazzjonali u mhux tal-Partit.

Il-vot diga` ttiehed fil-Parlament u ntilef mill-PL.

Il-pass ta' Lawrence Gonzi hu wiehed naturali u demokratiku.

Carl Grech

Jan 29th, 13:17

Fil-parlament il-vot ta' sfiduċja diġa m'għaddix; din il-miżura issa tiżgura u ssaħħaħ it-tmexxija

Francis Attard

Jan 29th, 13:15

Veru kaz ta' wiehed li "Jghatti x-xemx bl'arbiel".

Victor Calleja

Jan 29th, 13:15

Issa nikkontesta jien.
Kummiedja ohra tieghu

r spiteri

Jan 29th, 13:15

Lawrence Gonzi lest icedi is-siggu bil-fatti. Issa min jahseb li jista' jmexxi ahjar, jista' jigi u jikkontesta.

Victor Calleja

Jan 29th, 13:14

Musical chairs? Who dares to contest il kapo?
Hallina trid u fittex soluzzjoni ghal din linstabilita.

Rod Enderby

Jan 29th, 13:13

Shades of John Major back in the 90's in the UK. I wondered if it would happen. Maltese politics is getting exciting.

Charles Vella

Jan 29th, 13:12

A true gentleman... If he is re-elected then it's clear to see who the real problem in the PN is... If he is not re-elected, then Gonzi would be the problem, therefore if so, he will bow his head and move aside, as he said and as the true gentleman he is.

Well done!

James Tyrrell

Jan 29th, 13:11

What a waste of time. Basically you have one power hungry money grabber asking a bunch of power hungry money grabbers if they want to continue as they are or risk an election. I wonder what the outcome will be?

Dr. Gonzi also speaks about the oppositions vote on Thursday being defeated as if he had won something. You didn't win anything Gonzi, you simply had your stupid ass saved once again by the speakers vote! As for saying that it's not the right time for the country to have an election I assume you are referring to the country that you have been arrogantly ignoring for years, the country whose people you have ignored time and time again, the country and people you kept in the dark about the money you and your friends were pocketing. Is that the country you are so concerned about? You are afraid to face the people because you know they will dump your ass into opposition where it belongs!

A Dimech

Jan 29th, 13:11

If Gonzi wants to be democratic about his leadership - why not open it up to the whole public? call an election!

don't let those few hundred people PN councillers decide the faith of the country. If in doubt, call an election - and let everybody have their say in a true democratic contest!!

I mean, realistically who is going to contest Gonzi? this is jsut a mockery!

call an election and then afterwards ask your councillers to vote you or not....

The issue started in parliament which was elected by the people. Hence it should be resolved by the people (not the PN councillers!!)

Mark Casha

Jan 29th, 13:09

- Lest li nkompli nservi
- Gvern li jaghti l-ahjar rizultati ghall-pajjizna
- Gvern jibqa jahdem sal-ahhar tal-mandat tieghu
- niftah il-partit ghal min irid jinghaqad maghna fil-hidma

"lest biex inkompli inservi" - Prim minister Lawrence Gonzi

john vella

Jan 29th, 13:09

Is this the sort of vote like that of the past: 'Yes vote' I win, 'No vote' you loose?
The past election result seemed to read those in favor made a leader those against melted away from local politics and I might add one seemed to say not to his liking.

Jane Schembri

Jan 29th, 13:09

PM Gonzi serves this country with humility.

Deserves all the backing to continue caring for our beloved country.

Andy Farrugia

Jan 29th, 13:07

Good! Some common sense at last; put up or shut up! Now let us see the stuff of which the "variante impazzite" (and that includes those in gilded exile abroad) are made of.

Nadia Cassar

Jan 29th, 13:06

Il-kap tal - PM jghid ... Hawn jien lest li nkompli nservi.

Braden Sammut

Jan 29th, 13:04

"This would not be a vote to reconfirm him, Dr Gonzi said. This would be a leadership contest where he would be a candidate and others were free to also submit their names as candidates." - thaddim tad-demokrazija, din hija xhieda ta' kemm il-PM mhux iggranfat mas-siggu tal-poter.

j brincat

Jan 29th, 13:03

"this would not be a vote to reconfirm him, Dr Gonzi said. This would be a leadership contest where he would be a candidate and others were free to also submit their names as candidates"

Does Dr Gonzi really think that anyone would venture to contest?

This is just a mise en scene!

Even if, for argument's sake, he 'contests' and is re-elected how will this eliminate the instability which is wreaking havoc to the economy?

Just playing for time!





(jb)

A Dimech

Jan 29th, 13:00

COME ON GUYS!

A leadership contest?!! the issue is in parliament, and should be solved there. Having a leadership contest does not help the country!! It only helps the party to win a few more months!!

Braden Sammut

Jan 29th, 13:00

Xhieda ta' kemm il-Prim Ministru mhux qed jahrab mis-sitwazzjoni izda jaffaccjah.