Franco Debono says PM's decision 'not something to be taken lightly'
Franco Debono acknowledged this evening that the prime minister's decision to submit himself to a secret vote within the PN was not something to be taken lightly and had a certain import.
Replying to a series of questions put to him on telephone during One TV's programme Realta' Dr Debono, however, refused to be drawn on how he will be acting in parliament or how he interpreted Thursday's vote on the no-confidence vote, in which he abstained.
PETITION 'DISAPPEARS'
In his brief intervention, Dr Debono himself asked what had happened to a petition which had been circulating in his district, calling for his resignation from parliament. He noted that nothing had been heard about it, possibly because only a small number of signatures were collected. He added that he was having good feedback from his district, with people understanding that he had raised issues on their behalf.
At the beginning of the legislature, he recalled, voters in the fifth district who had voted for him instead of a minister (Louis Galea) and a parliamentary secretary (Helen d'Amato) had wished that their votes been adequately respected, but he had stopped them from circulating a petition to be sent to the prime minister. He said that one thing which may not have helped Louis Galea was the fact that his assistant Charlo Bonnici left the ministry shortly before the election to pursue his campaign.
Mr Bonnici, who was a guest on the programme, said that Dr Galea had given him his permission.
Asked whether he was still calling for resignations, and how he would comment on the fact that the prime minister had said he would assume responsibility but never mentioned the 'clique', Dr Debono said the prime minister's decision had a certain import.
What the prime minister had decided was not something which was done lightly, he said, and he would see whether Dr Gonzi would do more.
Dr Gonzi, he said, appeared to have noted his various declarations.
Asked if anything had changed since Thursday's vote, Dr Debono indicated that there had not been any other developments.
He said he stood by his declarations that Malta needed fundamental reforms and for decision makers to assume responsibilities. For example, he said, no one had assumed responsibility for what had happened in prisons (the drug trafficking case).
Reacting to a remark by former Nationalist minister Michael Falzon, who said he disagreed with his methods, Dr Debono said his actions followed years during which he had 'sweated blood' to bring about change, only to be ignored.
For example, he said, it had taken the government eight years to bring into force a law, already on the statute book, for legal assistance to persons under interrogation. And that only happened when the Opposition moved a motion in parliament.
Therefore, Dr Debono argued, the Opposition was not taking advantage of him, but of the government's own failures.
Reacting to other questions, Dr Debono refused to give a direct reply to whether the government should from now on rely on the Speaker's casting vote or call an election.
He, however, reiterated his call for dignity to parliament. He said the Committee on Democratic Change, which had been convened to discuss constitutional reform, was doomed to failure because it had been meeting behind closed doors. Then, when something was leaked, mistrust crept in and matters started to collapse. Such important matters, he said, should not be discussed behind closed doors.
And even though the committee had stopped functioning (because the Opposition walked out) one needed to ask what the government had done since then, he said. He said that for the first time in Malta, he had drafted a Bill on party financing, and he noted that not even the select committee would have gone this far since this remit was limited to preparing a report which would then served as basis for the drafting of legislation, which procedure could have taken years.
As to whether a government should have a majority of only one seat in parliament, Dr Debono insisted that the composition of parliament had to reflect the will of the people as closely as possible. Itwas the electorate that decided that the PN should win by 1,500 votes, which was translated into a one-seat majority, he said.
Considering that in the Maltese system, voters could give preferences using the single transferable vote to translate the will of the electorate almost to mathematical precision in parliament, it would be ironic if, after this process, one was to arbitrarily add one or more seats.
Asked if he was still calling for resignations Dr Debono said he had made his declarations and one would see what developments there would be.
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Joe Fenech
Feb 3rd, 12:10
FD, do one thing: just quit from politics.
Alfred Falzon
Feb 3rd, 16:13
@ Joe Fenech
Isn't that arrogance, ordering a popular MP who has stood up to be counted to resign and give up politics because he is not to your liking?
That's anti-democratic and is a flagrant breach of fundamental human rights!!
As Maltese we should learn to respect one another's views and encourage criticism, which has an educational and cultural value.
It helps to civilize the community and builds up standards!
Alfred A. Falzon
Joe Fenech
Feb 3rd, 17:22
I respect people who have views and who back them up with action. At the end of the day, FD has bowed down to his party so he's just another cuc Malti...whatever!
Jomamma1 Maltaforever
Feb 2nd, 23:35
Wahhh!! Wahhh!! Wahhh! What a whiner DeBono is. How embarassing and unprofessional. This has everything to do with his not being elected to the position he wanted. I think he just torpedoed his career. Unless the Labour party wants to babysit him for a while... as a reward for his throwing so much crap against the wall and making it stick.
Schembri Ray
Feb 2nd, 22:32
Why Dr Debono didn't take the step his leader took, and ask for a confidence vote for himself?
John Schembri
Feb 2nd, 19:19
@ Alfred Falzon:
Franco is holding Malta at ransom, I didn’t vote for him to do what he’s doing.
My judgment is that if Franco was made minister we wouldn’t be discussing his tantrums today.
Up to budget day and later , he was four square behind the prime minister, he never mentioned that he was against the €500 rise and he never told his constituents about his intentions.
All this trouble started immediately after he found out he was not made minister.
The people are supreme , and their wishes should be respected, the way Franco is handling things is not the right way.
@ mark borg:
"Dawk in nazzjonalist/gonzipn supporters li minghalikhom li franco nxtara mil klikka tal PM........oholmu ftit iehor u daqt itikhom ir risposta fil parlament .....ghalissa....make hay while the sun shines (l-erba minkhom li qed tistghanaw u tixxalaw) ....pero ir risposta tarawha fi ftit jiem ohra....sadanittant....sahha lil kulhadd.”
Donnok taf iktar minn kullhadd fuq x’se jaghmel Franco.
Jekk jivvota kontra l-gvern, min ivvutalu u tellghu jkun ihossu ittradut u imwegga' hafna. Hemm irjus shan li jghidu li ma jahfruwielux jekk jaghmel hekk.
John Schembri
Feb 2nd, 19:17
@ Alfred Falzon:
Franco is holding Malta at ransom, I didn’t vote for him to do what he’s doing.
My judgment is that if Franco was made minister we wouldn’t be discussing his tantrums today.
Up to budget day and later , he was four square behind the prime minister, he never mentioned that he was against the €500 rise and he never told his constituents about his intentions.
All this trouble started immediately after he found out he was not made minister.
The people are supreme , and their wishes should be respected, the way Franco is handling things is not the right way.
@ mark borg:
"Dawk in nazzjonalist/gonzipn supporters li minghalikhom li franco nxtara mil klikka tal PM........oholmu ftit iehor u daqt itikhom ir risposta fil parlament .....ghalissa....make hay while the sun shines (l-erba minkhom li qed tistghanaw u tixxalaw) ....pero ir risposta tarawha fi ftit jiem ohra....sadanittant....sahha lil kulhadd.”
Donnok taf iktar minn kullhadd fuq x’se jaghmel Franco.
Jekk jivvota kontra l-gvern, min ivvutalu u tellghu jkun ihossu ittradut u imwegga' hafna. Hemm irjus shan li jghidu li ma jahfirilux jekk jaghmel hekk.
mark borg
Feb 1st, 22:41
Dawk in nazzjonalist/gonzipn supporters li minghalikhom li franco nxtara mil klikka tal PM........oholmu ftit iehor u daqt itikhom ir risposta fil parlament .....ghalissa....make hay while the sun shines (l-erba minkhom li qed tistghanaw u tixxalaw) ....pero ir risposta tarawha fi ftit jiem ohra....sadanittant....sahha lil kulhadd.
mark borg
Feb 1st, 22:31
il-petizzjoni johorguwielek sur franco jerghu kif tfaqqa id data ta l-elezzjoni...kemm jhekk tigi qabel iz zmien u kemm jhekk tigi fi zmiena
Victor Vella
Feb 1st, 18:56
Sur Franco Debono int ghadek zghir. Qed tghix f`pajjiz il-laqa. Illaq u gieb il-min jilghaq. Kullimkien hekk Malta. Il-Parlament mhux eccezzjoni. F`kull partit hu x`inhu l-istess. Go dan il-pajjiz oqghod idhak, taptap fuq l-ispallejn u wara ghamel fattik.Jekk int trid tkun onest dan il-pajjiz mhux postok. Jien ghadejt minn xhiex ghaddejt int. Go dan il-pajjiz jekk tkun ragel u ma tilghaqx ikkisruk, iffarkuk, u jaghmlu min kollhox biex anke ihamguk. Imn`Alla tkun nadif ghax zibel iggibuk. Gejna f`sitwazzjoni dan il-pajjiz li ma tistax tiftah halqek. Fi zmien il-Lejber hekk konna. Illum ergajna gejna fl-istess sitwazzjoni. Dak iz-zmien kienu juzaw il-vjolenza fisika illum juzaw il-vjolenza psikika. Jipprivaw jaghmlu assasinju mill-karratru tieghek. Mhux qed nghid ghal kaz tieghek. Din saret il-kultura ta` dan il-pajjiz. L-istorja ghalmitna wara li sirna Republika li gvern meta jkun ilu iktar minn ghaxar snien il-poter jitla` f`ras kulhadd. Kien min kien fil-gvern. Dan il-poplu hemm bzonn jitghallem ghax ghadna nghixu fi zmien il-kolonjalizmu. Qabel konna servili ghall-imperu Inglis illum sirna servili ghall-gvern tal-gurnata-hu min hu. Franco int illum qed titghallem ghax anke iddecidejt li titlaq minn dan il-pajjiz u ma tersaqx l-hawn. Dan jien ukoll immedidajtu. Go dan il-pajjiz oqghod bl-istanga imwahhla ma dahrek u oqghod idhaq. Anzi idhak u ghoxa. Dan il-pajjiz mhux pajjiz ghal min irrid ikun serju izda ghal minn huwa l-iktar wiehed i jighaq u jiggakbina l-dak u lill-iehor. Spiccajna pajjiz li jqazzek u jekk tipprova tirranga xi haga jaraw kif iitajruk minn nofs. Dan il-pajjiz qatt ma jitghallem. tant huwa pajjiz veru immexxi minn imniehru li kull partit gdid rajna kif kissirnieh biex ghadna zewgt partiti kbar li kissru l-kulhadd. Illum jien qtajt qalbi minn dan il-poplu veru bigota u bahnan. Jekk il-Malti tipprova tiftahlu ghajnejh minnflok jghidlek Grazzi jara kif ikkisrek. Sewwa jghid il-Malti li hmar taqtaghlu denbu hmar jibqa`. U l-poplu Malti hekk irrid jibqa`. Immexi minn imniehru.
Giov DeMartino
Feb 1st, 18:33
Dr Debono: you are still in time to do what the prodigal son did. Only then you'll be in a position to present your arguments. Like a gentleman, without threats.
Alfred Falzon
Feb 2nd, 16:51
@ Giov DeMartino
As far as I know, Dr Franco Debono is no prodigal son!
He is still a fervent Nationalist but not yet within that part of the fold that wants to reduce him to just a lackey, a sort of lapdog, docile and sweet and happy to earn a pat on the back!
Alfred A. Falzon
Joe Fenech
Feb 3rd, 11:32
Mr Falzon,
Then WHY did he talk so much and deliver NOTHING! I thing it's just a matter of narcism!
Alfred Falzon
Feb 3rd, 16:51
@ Joe Fenech
No political party should have a blank cheque and enjoy power for the whole duration of a mandate unless it really deserves it!
Dr Franco Debono has delivered more than you think, Mr Joe Fenech, for he has injected in the Maltese electorate the will to criticise not only from outside Parliament but also from within its thick walls!
He is also a pioneer, for he is among Malta's first Parliamentarians to introduce a new approach to local politics through his disinterestedness, zeal, determination and resolve to check any possible abuse of power, if any, to the detriment of the people!
May each and every Party in power or in Opposition have the like of Dr Franco Debono who has made it clear that he is not stuck to his Parliamentary seat or ready to forsake his noble ideals to avoid rocking the "Establishment boat"!
Alfred A. Falzon
Alfred Falzon
Feb 1st, 16:28
DR FRANCO DEBONO MP
Many are those who are seeing in Dr Franco Debono an upright MP, a people's worthy representative who is happy enough to soldier on through the dark Valley of Vilification and Humiliation without feeling any compulsion to struggle on through the Valley of the Shadow of political oblivion as some "good Christians" would want to behold!
In this respect, Dr Franco Debono can be qualified as an outstanding pioneer in the field of a new approach to local politics, for he firmly upholds that loyalty to a Party should be one that transcends addiction to power for the sake of power!
For him, the Nation and People remain sovereign!
Power plays second fiddle!
Alfred A. Falzon
John Schembri
Feb 1st, 19:57
Qabbiztli demgha!
Alfred Falzon
Feb 2nd, 11:09
@ John Schembri
Further down the scroll (yesterday 05:36) you stated that "the people are supreme".
That means that the people stand above Party loyalty!
A pity that a tear came streaming down your face!
Keep it in a glass tube, you might want to make a display of it later when FRANCO IS PROVED RIGHT!
I sincerely hope it's not a crocodile tear!
Alfred A. Falzon
Mark Borg
Feb 1st, 16:07
Why waste so much time and space on a non-issue? Dr Franco Debono took us all for a ride. He has had his proverbial "15 minutes" of fame. Now he should either stand up or shut up for good. Life is too short to waste it on much ado about NOTHING!
Paul Portelli
Feb 1st, 15:49
the fixed saga between franco and pn is continuing.the people are no longer pets what you feed them they eat.people now a days has brains.so please pn and franco stop all this nonsense.THIS WAS ALL FIXED UP BELIEVE ME.I KNOW WHAT IM SAYING.
lorry camilleri
Feb 1st, 15:43
Dr.DeBono,Please don't let the PL use you,do what you think is best for the country and the party.God Bless you.
mark borg
Feb 1st, 20:16
LOL- he is doing what is best for the country ...by exposing the GONZI PN corrupted clikka ! and also shorthly to a halt.
m. borg (slm)
Feb 1st, 13:56
I believe Franco is having second thoughts and that there is a new factor that is helping him do it.
.
Most of us heard the story of the TROJAN Horse.
Joseph Brincat
Feb 1st, 12:20
Gonzi PN is going to stay and no one is going to resign
so there are tree options left for Dr Debono !!!!!!
ONE >>>> JOIN IL - KLIKKA GONZI PN ???
TWO >>>> RESIGN ???????????????????
TREE >>> DISCONNECT YOURSELF FROM GONZI PN AND HAVE A SEAT OF YOUR ONE ??????
N Spiteri
Feb 1st, 12:38
I agree 100%
Franco was right about the issues raised but since he failed the test in parliament he should now choose one of these options otherwise instability will continue to grow. I personally believe that he will join the kilkka again.
godwin difesa
Feb 1st, 13:01
Franco do not need your advice.The only think you wanted him to do is to vote with PL in the no confidence vote which he did not.Now please try to stop the same song like PAPPAGALI about instability and God no what is happening in our lovely country and wait 13 more months not much for the next election.
Michael Magri
Feb 1st, 11:54
Dr Franco Debono, i can assure you that your reputation with the PN, (`Klikka` inclusive), is doomed forever.. Nothing else that you can do or say now, i.e `U Turns`, is going to change this decision in the `inner circles`..
So... In my openion, and surely of many many others.. If you realy want to keep hanging on in politics, you MUST stick to the strong IDEALS and BELEIVES of your`s and which you have so abtly elaborated on these last months, no matter what..
Malta Cannot Stand Having Such An Instable Government For So Long, and especialy as indicated by the Prime Minister himself, that he will only Convene Parlament if ALL of PN members are in Malta...!! A very worrying and dangereous statement to the rules of Demoracy itself... And a Clear Indication that ONLY an early as possible Election is desperately needed..
Thus.. If you want to have concrete results of all of your actions, (and for the benefit of our beloved Country), will entail an early election, SO BE IT...
Alfred Falzon
Feb 1st, 15:43
@ Michael Magri
In other words, you are suggesting a vote against the Government to bring it down!
Just for the sake of "musical chairs"!
No, Dr Franco Debono is not all that naive, there would have to be much more valid reasons prior to taking the plunge!
The electorate would rather opt for a "compromise" at this point in time!
Alfred A. Falzon
A Caruana
Feb 1st, 11:51
Dear Franco, you should well know that during the worst case scenario of drugs in the Prisions it was Tonio Borg who was Minister responsible at the time not Carm Mifsud Bonnici, so you are barking up the wrong tree, during Dr Mifsud Bonnici's time a Director has been appointed, in case you forgot during Tonio Borg's time the then Director Sandro Gatt was transferred because of the goings on at the Prisions, it is also very clear that you are not at all familiar with how the Prisions operate. There are hardened criminals in there who easily threaten and blackmail the guards that they will send their friends to harm their families.
It will never happen that all bad things are eradicated from Prisions because the system just cannot control it, no matter who is the Director or the Minister etc.
Alfred Vassallo
Feb 1st, 11:34
Franco, I am sure you don't need either the pn or the lp as far as your daily needs goes, you have your own practices and I am sure thats enough for you. But be very careful of your HONOUR don't let anybody take that away from you whatever it takes because you will hate yourself for the rest of your life. In a way I am sorry that I am telling you this because I am certain that you don't need anybody to lecture you on your integrity, infact I don't know why you are letting mediators come into the picture, I personally find it revolting because you are quite able to come to your own conclusions without their vested interest in the matter. They will take all the glory while you......
charles caruana
Feb 1st, 11:48
'glory' 'honour' ? You sound like Iago advising Othello.
Alfred Vassallo
Feb 1st, 12:37
@charles caruana
'Lago' 'Othello'' who are they Nationalists??
albert galea
Feb 1st, 11:20
l stopped taking Dr. Debono seriously. He talks and talks, but when the important time comes he escapes. He knew that if he abstaines every thing will remain the same and Gonzi and his 'klikka' will continue to govern. So why all that talk that he wanted these people to resign?
Alfred E. Zahra
Feb 1st, 12:15
Have you not yet realised that a person who has been a PN candidate on more than one election and who even when in disagreement with his party will never regale the opposition Labour Party with the government.
Vincent Cassar
Feb 1st, 10:38
Jien ma nafx x'rajtu pero` jien li rajt huwa FD illi ghadu jghid dak li kien jghid qabel avolja b'ton naqra izjed trankwill. Hu qal illi xorta joqghod fuq dak illi qal inkluz dwar rizenji ecc. Franco mhux se jippartecipa fil-loghba interna tal-partit ghax hu stes qal illi kien irrizenja. Pero xorta ha naraw xeni fil-parlament. Hu iddikjara illi ma jistax jaghmel stqarrijiet f'sentenza. Nistennew u naraw.
joseph spiteri
Feb 1st, 10:25
Dear Franco
Be fair to us all Maltese.
Decide what you want.
All you have to do either Favour or Against
To Abstain means you are negotiating within your party.
If so after all you have said and what your party have subjected you to.
you will be Really a Person of no CREDIBILITY.
Decide at the earliest occassion for all the Maltese Sake
Best Regards
Joseph
Alex Falzon
Feb 1st, 11:04
Jien nemmen illi l-punti kollha li semma kien validi - fejn sahansitra anke l-PM irrikonoxxa illi hafna mill-proposti jigi diskussi u mplimentati. Nemmen ukoll illi Dr Debono ta' tbezzbiza lil gvern kif ukoll lil PN sabiex jibqghu qrib il-poplu. Nemmen ukoll illi l-metodologija kienet xi ftit jew wisq eccessiva pero fl-ahhar minn l-ahhar il-messagg jidher illi wasal. Il-PM ha decizjoni pjuttost serja ikun xi jkun ir-rizultat u nemmen li kemm il-gvern kif ukoll il-PN se jkunu aktar b'sahhithom, aktar diretti u aktar efficenti meta fadal xhur biss ghal elezzjoni generali.
Nemmen illi Dr Debono jista jaghti kontribut siewi lil pajjiz f'dawk illi huma riformi - u allura it-triq tieghu huwa li la ta' tbezzbiza kif imiss lil gvern jaghmel illi jxammar il-qmiem halli jara dawn ir-riformi jigu attwati minnufih.
Veru hassra illi wasalna jew konna wasalna ghal insulti miz-zewg nahat ghal dak li gara. Hija hassra illi l-oppozzizjoni baqghet u ghadha tinsisti fuq elezzjoni generali bikrija u hija aktar hassra li l-oppozzizjoni ta' Joseph Muscat ghadha qed toffri l-bahh minkejja li qed issejjah ghal elezzjoni.
Victor Vella
Feb 1st, 10:21
I have a T shirt and I have written:FRANCO DEBONO IS THE FUTURE PRIME MINISTER OF MALTA. HE IS THE KING AND DO NOT FORM PART OF AN EVIL OLIGARCHY OF BRIGANDS.
H. Meilak
Feb 1st, 10:55
First of all you have to be either one or the other; you cannot be a prime minister and a king at the same time, especially since Malta is not a monarchy. Second: 'HE IS THE KING AND DO NOT FORM PART etc is bad English (so think or rewriting it). Third: To fit in all those words, are you sure it's your T-shirt or maybe you have a pet grizzly bear at home?
A. Xuereb
Feb 1st, 11:09
@ Victor Vella: by abstaining Franco is still allowing ' the oligarch y' to move on and continue doing that which he is criticizing them for. He has lost the respect of everyone, the PL because he criticizes the government he is part of but does nothing about it, and the PN because he has exposed them to ridicule but yet remains in their fold.I would suggest you throw out your T Shirt and get a new one in a couple of months time:-)
j brincat
Feb 1st, 10:06
"Franco Debono acknowledged this evening that the prime minister's decision to submit himself to a secret vote within the PN was not something to be taken lightly and had a certain import!
Really? I see this a a futile exercise in antics and theatrics!
I say this because who, at this stage, would dare to take on Gonzi?
But that the PN is in a sorry mess there is no doubt at all!
(jb)
twanny borg
Feb 1st, 19:01
@carmel vella. prosit hej u s-sussidju min ihallsu mhux jien u int? din hija l-logika....... kemm dhalt tajjeb ghaliha!! int wiehed li inqbadt li tara kulur wiehed.
Tonio Micallef
Feb 1st, 10:05
Another failure which Franco forgot to mention is the privatisation of the Gas Division of Enemalta! Minister Gatt boasted of removing subsidiet and privatising the division. The result! From today a 12kg Gas Cylinder is being sold for the record price of €18.00. Incredible but true. Until a few months ago this used to be sold for €5.50!!! And what did the consumer gain with this privatisation? Nothing at all! Competition is non-existant in this sector. Anzi, we really got outselves in a mess of great proportions. And nobody shoulders responsibility. Carry on Franco.....!
twanny borg
Feb 1st, 10:13
ghall-anqas hekk min jahli ihallas jew ma jahlix u mhux bis-sussidju li jgawdu minnu l-barranin meta malta izuruha aktar minn maltin residenti. sur tonio tarax kollox kulur wiehed bhal ma jipprova ibella l-pl.
carmel vella
Feb 1st, 12:33
@ Twanny Borg
Prosit Sur Borg veru tirraguna. Fl-ahhar mill-ahhar min qed ibati? Min tilef? Mhux int u jien u kull cittadin bhali u bhalek. Il-veru tirbah il-logika f`certu nies!!
A Dimech
Feb 1st, 10:00
I am dissappointed on this Franco - it seems he is a lot of talk and little walk!!
Aaron Vella
Feb 1st, 14:48
I assume you're disappointed for a different reason...
Christina Pace
Feb 1st, 09:59
"Considering that in the Maltese system, voters could give preferences using the single transferable vote to translate the will of the electorate almost to mathematical precision in parliament, it would be ironic if, after this process, one was to arbitrarily add one or more seats."
I disagree with Dr Debono on this one. If the single trasferable vote translated to mathematical precision then there would be a 3 party in parliament. Election after election an increasing number of votes are discarded because they don't reach a quota simply because the district system does not favour small parties.
There should be a complete overhaul of the electoral system where the whole country is united into one district and all parties who get any votes have at least one representative in parliament. A bipolar model of parliament is no longer relevant in Malta today. With white and black being the extremes, too many grey areas are ignored and unrepresented in politics, leading to a perpetual disenchantment of a portion of the population that cronically feels emarginated and ignored by the country's leaders.
Francis Sammut
Feb 1st, 10:59
Very well said. I cannot agree more, Ms Christina Pace.
Alex Falzon
Feb 1st, 11:52
A third party could be as healthy as very dangerous too. Look around in other EU countries. In Malta I do not see another party that can contribute. AD is not an alternative at all, just have a look at their representatives and one will notice that mainly all members are disgruntled members from either the PN or PL or members who did not make it in one of the respective parties.
AN was a complete mess - the aim was to attract disgruntled voters from either PN or PL
Mark Demicoli
Feb 1st, 09:58
kemm qisu ha dak li ried issa, minjaf x'weghdu il priministru.......ha jibda joghqod kwiet issa. Nesa il-paroli kollha li qal u kemm falla il gvern u n-nies responsabbli baqaw hemm. u leeee pajjiz tal mickey mouse!
twanny borg
Feb 1st, 09:57
jien ma naqbilx ma' franco fuq il-metodu tieghu pero naqbel malli qal li l-kumitat ghal bdil demokratiku ghandu jkun pubbliku jew ghall-anqas jigu ppubblikati l-minuti. b'hekk naraw min qed jostakola d-demokrazija. mhux sewwa per ezempju maltin jghixu barra m'ghandhomx dritt jivvutaw l-ambaxxati bhac-cittadini barranin kollha u minghajr ma jkun hemm bzonn li jkunu malta sitt xhur. b'liema dritt dawn ic-cittadini maltin jigu imcahda li jaghzlu l-gvern li jixtiequ huma? forsi jien irrid nghix taht gvern malta u nghix barra taht gvern iehor. ghandi dritt minghajr ma nitlef il-vot? bil-mezzi moderni dawn ikunu jafu x'inhu jigri malta aktar minn maltin jghixu kontinwament malta. il-pl dejjem ftahar li kien huwa li ta l-vot lin-nisa u nizzel l-eta' ghal 18 imma jekk ma jaqbilx li l-maltin kollha jkollhom id-dritt li jivvutaw jikxef il-maskla li l-pl ta l-vot meta qabillu biss biex jirbah il-voti imma icahhad maltin ghax jahseb li hemm aktar pn milli pl. ghaldaqstant naqbel ma' franco.
Tonio Farrugia
Feb 1st, 09:57
Dear Mr. Brincat,
it is not art of compromise or any U turns. it is the art of managing availing yourself of all the tools available. Very withy I believe.
If Dr. Gonzi get re-elected as part leader, he would have re instated his leadership, and given once again the helm of the party. At that point, all members of the party are to follow his leadership.
A.M. Galea
Feb 1st, 11:41
Mr.Farrugia , do you remember that Dr.Franco Debono had resigned from the party . Do you expect him to tow the party lines unconditionally , like Dr. Gonzi said that he would do if a new leader is elected , even when Dr.Debono said and repeated many times, that he resigned from the party .
Ben Agius
Feb 1st, 09:53
Franco Debono raised a number of good policy questions. He claims everyone ignores him. Malta will be better served if the issues that he raised are seriously followed up by Government and appropriate laws enacted. However if this is all Franco Debono is going to do he will be remembered not for the good ideas but that he's another PN prima donna. And the Ministers will continue in their apparent slumber for a few more months.
Ben Agius
Feb 1st, 09:53
Franco Debono raised a number of good policy questions. He claims everyone ignores him. Malta will be better served if the issues that he raised are seriously followed up by Government and appropriate laws enacted. However if this is all Franco Debono is going to do he will be remembered not for the good ideas but that he's another PN prima donna. And the Ministers will continue in their apparent slumber for a few more months.
Tonio Micallef
Feb 1st, 09:50
Franco beda jdoqq l-irtirata! (Jew paving the way for his political demise!)
j brincat
Feb 1st, 09:40
Dr Franco's strong speech in Parliament last Wednesday was very hard hitting on the government.
Unless there are resignations (real ones and not a farce) as he called for, I cannot see how Dr Franco can go back on his words - art of compromise or not.
If this happens then Malta is really the country of U turns!
(jb)
godwin difesa
Feb 1st, 10:36
As i know Franco very personally he is not a person of U Turns take my word.What is happening now is that Franco is realizing that PL was only putting more wood in the fire and take advantage on his shoulder so that they will have an early election not leaving his well noted and excepted, from most of the people so called REFORMS shelved for more years not effected as he really wish and he is fighting for.As PM had said he had took all responsibility for what happened and as i can understand he almost apologist to whom he had mistaken as a great leader and GENTLEMAN. A gentleman is when he recognize the mistake and apologize.Soon there is going to be a resignation as the PM sad in Marsaxlok of DR Gatt so he can start planing for the election as it is only 13 months away.Franco there is still place in the PN for him he was a little aggressive in criticizing but believing what he was saying.Stability is slowly coming so MR JB wait little bit more for the race of the election it is only 13 months that's all compare to 25years.
Brian Stagno navarra
Feb 1st, 10:38
Sour grapes Brincat?
MD Fenech
Feb 1st, 09:38
Yes Franco, that's the way.
Maybe you now understand what you did to this country. You were going to put it through hell.
Even if you were not appointed Minister, the party could use your services. But not in the way you put them. They only damage the party, Malta. If I were you I would publicly apologize to the PM and look forward to a better Malta, maybe even talk about the things you suggested, but in private.
You can safely come home to the party now Franco. All is forgiven and forgotten.
Flimkien kollox possibbli.
Alex Falzon
Feb 1st, 09:34
I can smell another PN victory
Charles J. Buttigieg
Feb 1st, 09:28
The time has now come for Franco Debono to put his money where his earsplitting mouth is. His attitude, rightly or wrongly, had created the sad political crises for which he must be man enough to carry the attendant responsibility and walk his talk. Action speaks louder than words.
Franco needs to make his mind up and embark himself in a mode to end the stability he had created and he can do this by way of different options which are easily within his reach.
He can make a categorical statement that he will topple the government or support it till the end of its lifetime. If he hasn’t got the required spunk to go that way he must resign his seat in government to make space for a new MP. We’ve had enough of his antics which are not doing our Country any good.
Antoine Vella
Feb 1st, 09:24
Brian Hansford's telephone call to Franco Debono backfired badly. Debono easily avoided all attempts to say what Labour wants him to say and Hansford looked more and more desperate as he tried to put words in Debono's mouth.
There was another issue which merits being noted. Franco Debono reiterated that he had not said there was a clique within the government; what he had said was that he hoped there was no clique. The difference is substantial and, when it is a lawyer talking, such differences are significant.
Moreover, Franco Debono explained that when he had mentioned "evil", he had been referring to the situation in the prison where no one had assumed responsibility.
My impression is that Hansford and Gavin Gulia were sorely disappointed with Franco Debono's intervention and this is echoed in all comments by labour supporters on this website. .
Ben Agius
Feb 1st, 09:46
I hope there is no corruption in Malta; I hope that old people don't have to pay (doctors and MPs)so they can be put on waiting lists for retirement homes; i hope no one pays anyone corruptly when developments are considered; I hope that in Malta you don't get help if you know someone in the right place but rather because there are laws that give you rights; etc etc etc. Oh no there is no that and the other simply based on "how" and "what" someone says obliquely!! Pull the other one!!
Ben Agius
Feb 1st, 09:50
oh another one: i hope it's not true that hospital "professuri" tell their patients that if you want me to help you quicker , come and see me in my private practice and I see what I can do................then a quicker appointment is made in the Govt hospital for a procedure AFTER the private visit fee is paid - I hope that's not true.
M Grima
Feb 1st, 10:25
Franco Debono is nothing more than a drama queen who has been tangled in his own web. He has thrown about a lot of accusations, which might have been true, but now he is denying all his bold talk. Perhaps, he thinks that because we are not criminal lawyers or the fact that our school grades were not top notch, we are idiots who cannot piece together what he really meant. If Franco really thinks that he can patch up his differences with the PN by making one u-turn after another and by denying the obvious, he is either a foolish optimist or else he is just plain bonkers.
But, what is really amazing is all the sweet talk he has been suddenly receiving from PN sympatisers. After they were calling for his blood, calling him a traitor, posting images of Franco in a straight jacket, claiming that he will buried in Malta's political rubbish dump, that he is a liar and what not, he is suddenly finding a change of heart towards the network of evil (yes, Franco said these words).
Franco, if you think that the PN will ever forget what you did, you are grossly mistaken. Come the next election you will only be history because GonziPN will dump you like a used doll.
Jesmond Farrugia
Feb 1st, 09:19
A certain amount of dissent is a prerequisite of healthy parliamentary democracies. Our leaders must come under constant scrunity (it goes with the job), else democracy will deliver strange results. Dr. Gonzi, like everyone else, has strengths and weaknesses. So what? What matters now is that the whole country moves forward, as one.
C Muscat
Feb 1st, 09:07
Prosit PN.
Jekk irid il PL (mhux MLP) jista jibda jahseb ghal xi strategija biex jigbed is-simpatija tal-eletturi. Hekk jew hekk ma tantx hemm x taghzel bhala politika.
Victor Calleja
Feb 1st, 08:57
Dear Franco it seems that you are already taking the curve of the big U. In a couple of days you will be half way through and in some more days you will be looking the opposite way from way you started. in simple words you are going to make a big U turn.
Just tell us please what made you change your mind? What did they promise you? What did they give you? Are you going to work under Dr. Gonzi or are you still asking him to resign?
Please answer these questions otherwise no one is going to believe you anymore.
Antoine Vella
Feb 1st, 09:27
Victor Calleja, you probably have no idea how insolent your "questions" are. This is the true spirit of Labour.
Prosit and keep it up.
Joe Fenech
Feb 1st, 08:52
Bicca politikant who thought he was Mercury but ended up a fallen hero !
godwin difesa
Feb 1st, 11:54
Franco is the person who, with like them or not his attitude is going to make PN running on same level for the next election because he waked up the relaxed dog.AS he had seen PL tried to ride on his arguments which mostly where in the political PN family.PL should had never asked for the no confidence vote at that stage because it was only PN family arguments they should had let the family unite as they normally do.Franco is not a Bicca politician but the politician with guts and waked his party up from only concentrating on financial issues but there are more issues which are important as well.No problem J F wait little more so you can realize that Franco is a hero when PN will win next election because of his aggressive attitude.
Joe Fenech
Feb 1st, 18:17
Was PL was stupid to be opportunists at this stage.
But, anyhow, things in Malta will never change. PL, PN, PLO, AD, CICI, COCO...they're all one of a kind!
Simon Micallef
Feb 1st, 08:48
YES Dr Debono it should be taken lightly, stay by your words or you will be treated like a child!!!
J. Debono
Feb 1st, 08:47
Ma nafx ghaliex Franco huwa IFFISSAT kontra Louis Galea!!
Hallieh bi kwietu bniedem!
Simon Micallef
Feb 1st, 08:47
Secret vote in house is nothing but a theatrical play. Secret votes should be done by the Prime minister in parlament. so we all can see his strong hold and not when doing things against the Nationalist party statute and at home. There will be no one to contest Dr Gonzi, so why is all the fuss about. All will remain like it was last year ,last month, last week. Dr Franco Debono said so much strong words against the Prime Minister, that no in house election can delete. There must be resignations, clique, evil and much more Dr Franco said consistently. Nationalists should not worry ,remember it' February, CARNIVAL time too.
Joseph Portelli
Feb 1st, 08:43
Dawk li sa gimgha/hmistax ilu kien jghollu lil franco fil-glorja, illum qed jizzfujettaw bih! Food for thought!
R Psaila
Feb 1st, 09:11
U dawk li ghajruh traditur illum qed ibusuh.
silvio loporto
Feb 1st, 08:43
Franco,
The moment you start retreating,the more vulnerable your position becomes.
Admit it,you have lost,so it's in your interest to give up now, and at least live to fight another day.
Charlene Bonnici
Feb 1st, 08:17
Oh Franco Franco !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shut up!!!!!!!!!!! you're not believed anymore and we had enough of persons like you who talk and talk and do nothing when the opportunity comes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J. Borg
Feb 1st, 09:09
You are very wrong - Dr Debono did a lot. Having the PN Leader ask for fresh leadership elections is a proof. Having the PN be shaken up is also a proof. Perhaps, he did not do what 'you' wanted him to do ie to vote against. In reality, what Dr Debono did may turn out to be the best thing that happened to the PN. The PN needed somebody like Dr Debono to shake them up. This will also be good for cabinet decisions to be made in the remaining period. My hope is that Dr Debono will feel welcome back within the PN party as inspite of his methods, he has a lot to offer, not necessarily as a Minister.
Tony Borg
Feb 1st, 09:28
You are not living in Malta for sure Charlene. He created one of the biggest turmoils in Parliament and you say he did nothing. He even brought about a change in ministries..you know?!
Read well.
David Spiteri
Feb 1st, 09:34
Franco Debono jekk int aggornata sewwa QATT ma qal li ha jivvota favur l-oppozizzjoni IMMA dejjem qal li mhux ha jappogja il-gvern . Filfatt hekk ghamel !!
Fhimt issa......
John L Galea
Feb 1st, 08:14
Franco Debono showed at the end he is just a charlatan and an attention seeker. The PN were right about him. The only good thing he did is to expose the filth in the PN camp. The rest were just tantrums.
Joe Fenech
Feb 1st, 08:51
SPOT ON ! Well, he's stuck at form 2 age hence the tantrums (didn't he go flaunting his Form 2 exam results?!!!)!
George Azzopardi
Feb 1st, 07:55
it seems that he will soon be biting his own words! And I thought if there is any one person in parliament who would not do so, is Dr.F.Debono!
K. Vella
Feb 1st, 07:41
WELCOME BACK FRANCO....
Rationality is kicking back in...put your mind there, work hard and let your ideas join others and move forward.
Interesting to note that Brian was trying his utmost to extend the phone call to make him slip or put his words in Franco's mouth.
This is Franco I know, Franco who I voted for.
A. Mizzi
Feb 1st, 07:39
Franco Debono says PM's decision 'not something to be taken lightly'
--------------------------
By whom?
Where?
At the House of Representatives where the House only meets if all MPs on Gonzipn side are not abroad, so they can be called in to vote?
Joe Brincat-LL.D
Feb 1st, 07:38
"Considering that in the Maltese system, voters could give preferences using the single transferable vote to translate the will of the electorate almost to mathematical precision in parliament, it would be ironic if, after this process, one was to arbitrarily add one or more seats."
I do not think that Dr Debono has been reported correctly, to give the benefit of the doubt.
Prior to the 1987 amendments to the Constitution, the position was as stated in the quoted paragraph. The situation was that the party getting the higher number of seats through the Single Transferable Vote would win, even if the national first count vote gave victory to the other party. This was almost going to happen in 1971, when only 7 votes tipped the balance after a number of counts and transfers.
Had that still been the case, Labour would have won in the last election.
The Single Transferable Vote affects the choice of elected candidates principally within a party, sometimes with the help of transferred votes in cross party voting. But the majority, absolute or relative, is established on the aggregate national first count votes......and seats are added. That is not ironic. That is the Constitution.
sharon farrugia
Feb 1st, 07:26
Mr Vella,
Franco is disappionted because the prim Minister refused to promote him as Minister. Thats what the pn and their supporters are saying.
Joseph Busuttil
Feb 1st, 07:26
This is a big farce give a secret vote in Parliament and then we will believe the Majority
John Scerri
Feb 1st, 07:06
Therefore, Dr Debono argued, the Opposition was not taking advantage of him, but of the government's own failures.
Question : Had Dr.Debono stayed put and not air his views on what he wished ....would MLP have put forward a vote of no confidence in the government knowing that such vote needed 35 in favour .
Answer : NO ...MLP was , is and will keep using Dr.Debono for it's own advantage ...yesterday's programme is one of them .....Trying to put words into Dr.Debono's mouth , trying to use popolistic talk to say what the audience want to hear and not what in reality is the truth ...
Opportunistic ....to the extreme....
George Azzopardi
Feb 1st, 08:08
I think you forgot what Net TV had done out of Dom Mintoff's pantomime back in 1998 .. or maybe you're not old enough!!!
John Scerri
Feb 1st, 08:37
Dear George ...I am much older than you think and i remember such episodes and many episodes before those . I disapprove of both . I disapprove of anyone be it a party , individual who embarks on other peoples' problems to make a political capital out of the issue. It shows political weakness and lack of maturity.
I asked a question in my comment and I gave my own humble reply in view of that question. I am sure that the simple man in the street knows how to make 1 + 1 and finally will end up to my conclusion.
George Azzopardi
Feb 1st, 09:10
Dear John,
I knew you were old enough, just pulling your leg there, :). I'm also sure that Dr.Debono knows that his political career is over and PN are just trying to lick him up after bruising him so badly!! We all know how to make 1 + 1!
Let's be honest now John, PN will dump him no matter what he does now.
B Borg
Feb 1st, 07:04
Franco, you can say whatever you want now, we don't care any more. Starting this year you created a problem to this country...as many said was the last thing that we needed. You had the chance to solve that problem by voting with a simple yes or no..and the problem was gone and we could keep going on in a way or another. But then you choose to stay out from the mess you created and today after almost a month we are still in dark of what your position is, and still is this country. Please give us a break, go and hide yourself in Italy till the end of time
John Schembri
Feb 1st, 05:36
Debono makes some sense when he’s not angry.
He has to keep in mind that PN supporters not Louis Galea or Helen D’Amato’s supporters,where ‘the people’ who voted for him.
From what I read it seems he doesn’t want to be used by Joseph’s PL.
Like Franco I find Gonzi’s decision as something which shouldn’t be taken lightly. If Gonzi loses the vote it would mean that Franco was right after all when he said that the party was in disarray and not behind Gonzi. If on the other hand Gonzi is reconfirmed as PN leader with a secret ballot then people would expect EVERYONE in the party (including Franco) to rally round the Prime Minister to finish up and conclude the electoral program on which the majority of the people voted for.
Parliamentary seats represent the people after all. The people are supreme.
Joseph Ellul
Feb 1st, 04:35
I HOPE THAT FRANCO DEBONO UNDERSTANDS WHAT 360 DEGREE TURN MEANS, BECAUSE IN 5 DAYS HE DID.WHAT A PUPPET ON A STRING. REALLY GONZI HAD HIM ON A LINE FROM WHEN EVER FRANCO FIRST OPENED HIS MOUTH.
Joseph Scicluna
Feb 1st, 08:44
A 360 degree turn keeps you going in the same direction. L'anqas taf xqieghed tighd!!!!!
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Feb 1st, 01:51
Early Carnival for Malta. So he now has confidence in the PM after all he said!!!
Saviour Cachia
Feb 1st, 01:20
As things are going, Franco Debono is not so far away to be a parrot for Lawrence Gonzi. He must have really gone to Canossa and I am sure that his abstention from the no confidence vote moved by the Opposition was sort of pushed by a secret compromise between Debono and Gonzi. In the remaining months of the legislature, expect that Gonzi will appease Debono, if not in all things, at least 50% of them. Let it be, if it is in the best interest of Malta, justice and democracy, not oligarchy.
The Three Slaten Magi must already be working magic. Joseph Muscat be watchful. But if any of the 69 members of Parliament real wants that the next general election will be fair and really represent the will of the electorate to the last vote, then there is a motion pending that should be moved.
That once the Parliament is dissolved, there should be no incumbency from the side of the Gonzi PN. As for me i would be more radical and propose during the last six months of the legislature and the weeks of the electoral campaign. Who is the champion that has the guts to forward such private motion bill while the Parliament is still in action. Such an action should be entrenched in the Constitution and binds all future governments.
Come on Franco Debono add an other motion to show us that for you, democracy and the country are first and foremost. Do not finish the laughing stock of the electorate, after all those years where you were sidelined. Show us that you are the stuff that for them facts and delivery comes before any blah, blah, blah. There is another one competing you, the no doubt to be confirmed PN leader and Prime Minister, Lawrence Gonzi. Judge me by my delivery not talking.
We better because during the extraordinary general council last Sunday, Gonzi was scandalous in the way he tried to belie the truth about the Labour Party win in 1981.
Christopher Zammit
Feb 1st, 00:27
There is a huge smell of U-turns!!......The PN are tranforming this guy from hero (for us marsaxlokk residents) to zero!!!!
Watch out Dr Debono...your credibility is at stake and as the PN did with JPO after the last elections, they will do with you. They will simply use you until March 2013 and then discard you....you know where?? ask Peter Darmanin!!
Ms.D. Galea
Jan 31st, 23:15
Franco Debono's intervention was anything but brief.
Antoine Vella
Jan 31st, 23:15
Brian Hansford DESPERATELY tried to put words in Franco Debono's mouth but was no match for the MP.
There was another issue which merits being noted. Franco Debono reiterated that he had not said there was a clique within the government; what he had said was that he hoped there was no clique. The difference is substantial and, when it is a lawyer talking, such differences are significant.
Moreover, Franco Debono explained that when he had mentioned "evil", he had been referring to the situation in the prison where no one had assumed responsibility.
My impression was that Hansford and Gavin Gulia were disappointed with Franco Debono's intervention. He didn't say the things they wanted him to say, thus showing them that he's not their parrot.
Thomas C. Cassar
Feb 1st, 00:10
Moreover, Franco Debono explained that when he had mentioned "evil", he had been referring to the situation in the prison where no one had assumed responsibility.
I think you were on Mars or Saturn in the last couple of weeks, when mentioning 'evil' Dr. Debono surely was not referring to the prison. Did he mention the word Oligarchy when referring to the prison too??
Philip Hili
Feb 1st, 01:03
@ Antoine Vella,
IGNORE these soap operas. Even "Inkontri". The persons who conduct these programs do not know the A B C of television programs because when he who is supposed to conduct and keep a balance between the panel and the person who will be presenting the program, ends up taking part in the show.
What a poor show!!!
David Bezzina
Feb 1st, 03:06
HE ALREADY SAID WHAT HE HAD TO SAY AND NO ONE CAN ERASE THAT.
A. Mizzi
Feb 1st, 07:40
Brian was only doing his job... and Franco certainly does not need anyone to put words into his mouth!
He made it clear he is no'one's parrot!
George Azzopardi
Feb 1st, 08:06
@Antonie Vella .. here is what you said in DCG BLOG against Franco Debono, earlier on:
http://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/2012/01/one-of-the-democratic-principles-for-which-franco-debono-is-going-to-bring-down-the-government/
Antoine Vella says:
JANUARY 16, 2012 AT 3:02 PM
"There’s an Italian saying which fits Franco Debono’s state of mind perfectly: “muoia Sansone con tutti i Filistei” (Let Samson die with all the Philistines).
Debono will bring down the government and willingly bury himself in the rubble as long as he “destroys” those he sees as his enemies.
Except, of course, that the PN will rise again. Franco won’t."
THIS IS WHAT DR F.DEBONO WANTED TO EXPLAINED!!!!
Mr Hans Borg
Feb 1st, 08:20
This is what Franco Debono had said about the clique:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120106/local/franco-debono-calls-for-gonzi-s-resignation.401257
"I will not support an oligarchy in parliament as I was elected in a democracy."
Asked how, in the morning, he had said he would remain on the prime minister's side and now he was calling for his resignation, Dr Debono said he would have been by his side had correct decisions been taken, but Dr Gonzi showed today that he was not leading, and the oligarchy, the clique around him, had had its way.