All behind Lawrence Gonzi

The first month of 2012 was, to say the least, politically colourful. If the winter temperature plummeted, by the third week of January the political thermometer soared to very high levels.

Last week’s vote in Parliament was the culmination of what has probably been the tensest period in this legislature.

... if one truly loves one’s party one must be ready to do whatever is necessary for the good of the party- Hermann Schiavone

On the streets of Valletta, staunch Labour supporters gathered around Cordina’s end of Republic Street. The consumption of teas and coffees was meant to be replaced by champagne at noon. Many others were prepared to make their way to the party’s headquarters to get a glimpse of Joseph Muscat waving to the crowd from the new balcony.

It was, however, not meant to be because the motion of no confidence presented by the Labour opposition failed to secure a majority in the House.

Despite his failure to topple the government, Dr Muscat is still insisting that the Prime Minister should advise the President to dissolve Parliament and call an election.

On the other hand, in his comments to the media after the vote, the Prime Minister said that his government will remain focused on the bread and butter issues, job creation and the consolidation of the economy.

Dr Gonzi insisted that Malta does not need an election. Malta needs the stable policies that proved successful during the economic turbulent years of this legislature.

It has already been said, time and time again, that 2012 is going to be a tough year and the Prime Minister and his government must concentrate on measures that need to be taken to weather the economic and financial storm that we are experiencing.

In his address to the press, Dr Gonzi made another very important statement: that he would be taking initiatives to ensure that the Nationalist Party was fully behind him. Last Sunday, at the general council, he announced that a leadership contest will take place where he will be a candidate. The contest will establish whether the PN is fully behind Dr Gonzi or otherwise.

I am confident that at the end of the process the Prime Minister will emerge stronger.

Dr Gonzi’s initiative should be complemented by a response from all ranks within the PN. There is no question that the past weeks have been difficult. There have been verbal exchanges and statements that may have created some cracks. Now that the confidence matter has been settled in Parliament, the PN should seek ways to reach out and regroup in time before the next election.

There is common ground among the protagonists. All Nationalists love their country. All believe that the PN is the best party to steer Malta and all want to win the next election because the party has the best policies for Malta. All Nationalists agree that Dr Muscat is obsessed with becoming Malta’s Prime Minister without having a clue as to how he will handle the country’s affairs once he takes his oath of office.

This common ground should serve to bring unity within the party. Every Nationalist ought to ask himself/herself what s/he can do to ensure that what has been acquired as a nation is not lost to Dr Muscat’s Labour. Some sacrifices may have to be made but if one truly loves one’s party one must be ready to do whatever is necessary for the good of the party.

In the weeks leading to last week’s vote, we all held our breaths. The thought of waking up to a Labour government started sinking in. Nationalists took a deep breath as the opposition’s no-confidence vote and Dr Muscat’s attempt to take over the premiership mantle failed.

The Prime Minister will eventually call an election whenever is the right time for the country. Until then, the government needs to remain focused on continuing to steer Malta ahead.

As for the Nationalists, they should rally behind Dr Gonzi. After all, he deserves it.

info@schiavone.com.mt