Herman Grech
Prospects of an early election are diminishing
MP and government seek common ground
Franco Debono (left) says he hopes that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is not being held hostage by some sort of clique.
Prospects of an early election are diminishing, as rebel MP Franco Debono and the government make strenuous attempts to find common ground, The Sunday Times has learnt.
However, party officials acknowledged that the situation is still fluid, and that next month’s local elections could even have an influence over whether the Prime Minister would opt for an early general election.
Dr Debono has kept a relatively low profile since abstaining in a vote of no-confidence in the government moved by the opposition on January 26, prompting Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to seek re-election as Nationalist Party leader.
Contacted yesterday, Dr Debono said the Prime Minister’s declaration during a conference last Sunday that his government had made mistakes and that he was shouldering responsibility was an “important step in the right direction”.
However, the backbencher would not commit as to whether this was enough to guarantee his support for the remainder of the legislature.
“I can’t comment on that. The situation is still evolving,” he told The Sunday Times.
Dr Debono said he expected a detailed discussion about the state of party financing during the process to reconfirm Dr Gonzi in his post.
He said since this situation was precipitated by his call for radical constitutional reforms, it would be very ironic if the issue of party financing (a law which he drafted) would not figure “prominently” in the forthcoming events.
Insisting that constitutional reforms should have taken place in recent months, instead of wasting time on a useless heavy-fuel power station extension controversy, Dr Debono reiterated that he hoped the Prime Minister was not being held hostage by “some oligarchy or clique” leading to a situation where those who had failed to perform in government had been rewarded.
“Unfortunately, in the current situation it seems like a video game where notwithstanding repeated failures, some have infinite lives while others and their ideas have to survive multiple abortion attempts before their ideas are born.”
Asked whether there was a change in his attitude towards the party, Dr Debono would only say: “Initially the party was shocked and chose the road of confrontation. When it realised that this tactic was backfiring it changed tack... I have been very loyal to the party over the years.”
He declined to comment further.
However, party sources said that since the January 26 vote, both the government and Dr Debono were trying to find more common ground to resolve the political impasse.
“Clearly, Dr Debono realises his political career is over if he pushes the government overboard. Likewise, the government knows it can prolong its life and avoid certain defeat at the polls – for the time being at least – if it seeks to tackle certain issues and in the process placate him.”
Sources said the Nationalist Party was also putting a lot of emphasis on the results of next month’s local council elections which could even determine whether a general election should be held ahead of the 2013 due date. The March local elections are expected to be Dr Gonzi’s first real electoral test after the parliamentary vote of no-confidence and his much-expected re-election as party leader on February 25.
“A respectable result for the PN at the local elections could convince the party to bite the bullet and call an early general election to resolve the uncertainty. A very bad result means we’re going to need to re-group and take stock of the situation.”
A source said that another option could be that the Prime Minister leaves his post before the next election if the PN faces political haemorrhage at the polls next month.
Alternattiva Demokratika yesterday accused the Nationalist Party of wasting time with leadership contests and insisted that calling a general election was the only solution to the uncertainty.
“Following Dr Debono’s most recent parliamentary abstention, the country will keep guessing regarding his next move,” AD chairman Michael Briguglio said.
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Angelo Vassallo
Feb 6th, 16:49
@ Paul Portelli
IVA l-perit mintoff seraq l-elezzjoni tal-'81. Din m'hiex loghba,hallik minn loghba. Kien ragel meta halla lil ta' madwaru jirkbuh u ma hallewhx jerga` jaghmel elezzjoni ohra mill-aktar fis? Il-kostituzzjoni giet irrangata wara hames snin wara li nqatel Raymond Caruana.
Dazgur li gid kien ta` gid ghalihom dawk it-8000 ruh li hadu mpieg fl-ahhar jiem qabel l-elezzjoni u gid kbir ukoll ghall-partit lejburista. Zgur ma kienx ta' gid ghal Malta ghaliex ghadna ngorru l-konsegwenzi ta' dak li gara sa llum.
Semmilna, jekk inti kapaci, min huwa dan il-pampalun li llum qed jiehu xi miljun l'hawn u l'hemm gha butu. X'differenza bejn il-PL u l-PN. Il-PN jahdem ghal Malta u l-PL jahdem ghall-partitari tieghu biss sur portelli. Dak tal-klikkas min'hu? Ghidilna!!!!!!!!
Paul Portelli
Feb 6th, 21:35
@ angelo vassallo
Ang ma nahsibx li kostituzioni tirrang f'jumejn.it tahdidiet bdew ezatt kif mintoff telgha fil gvern..Xkonsegwenzi qed ingorru li l-air malta farraktuwa,li bihhejtu il midmed bir racanc,li kissirtu il tat tarznama nahsibx li ghandi ghalfejn inkompli le? nahseb fil fond ta qalbek taf xhalla il kmb dak li kontu tajruh zero .Taf xhalla ang? 500 miljun lira malti riservi qabel nizel mil gverndan xha jhalli ang?
dejn ,dejn u aktar dejn.
taf bizzejjed ang minuma il pamapluni f'malta tejx le pero bhaz ziemel bil kappestru dritt biss tara.
Mr Aaron Sammut
Feb 6th, 22:06
"Il-PN jahdem ghal Malta u l-PL jahdem ghall-partitari tieghu biss"
Int Malta tghix habib jew emigrajt?
R. Gauci
Feb 7th, 01:13
Staqsi lil Franco ghall-klikek siehbi, minbarra li jiffrekwenta l-qrati kriminali ilu jiffrekwenta l-PN madwar 20 sena, ma nahsibx tkellem min ghajnu.
Il-PN anke bicca festival tal-muzika bil-klikka jmexxih ahseb w'ara l-pajjiz, nahseb rajthu s-Sibt min kien hemm warajh? Nisfidak issemmili mhux bniedem Laburist li kien involut imma mqar bniedem wiehed li ma kienx attivist jew jidher fuq NET. Illum kemm tixghel il-PBS u titgiddeb wahdeb Sur Vassallo.
david vella
Feb 6th, 11:02
Jiddispjacini ghal partit nazzjonalista izda issa hemm bzon , li jekk ma titrangax sitwazzjoni , wara l'elezzjoni tal kunsilli lokali u ma jkunx hemm rizultati tajjba is-sinjal hu li sejjah elezzjoni ghal gid tal pajjiz . Gvern ikun ha taghlima u minn hu dak il mignun li ha jikuntesta lill priministru ghal kap tal partit. Froga hemm , ezat bhal ma gara lill labour party f'1998 u wara elezzjoni generali ghandha tisejah elezzjoni ta kap tal partit. Hu hemm tiftakru li partit Nazzjonalista hu tal poplu malti. Tafu li hemm minn maghndux skola kbiera u jahdem malta u l'poplu malti il-but ghed ihoss u mhux ewropa biss.
R. Gauci
Feb 6th, 10:17
When will the Maltese electorate realise that the vote of confidence which GonziPN is asking for within the PN group is just another well-planned and arranged gimmick ??? Does anybody really believe that GonziPN will not achieve this vote of confidence ?? Of course he will because otherwise he would not be calling for it. This is just history repeating itself. It was the PL the first time round and the PN had laughed their socks off. This time it is GonziPN who is the joke but with the difference that it is the whole EU who are laughing their socks off.
George Azzopardi
Feb 6th, 08:37
I am a PL supporter but let's be honest, I can understand Dr.Debono's reaction to the pressure he was under. The accusations made by GonziPN towards him and the fine tuned political pressure which he was forced to bear and still is under. Dr.F.Debono clearly knows that GonziPN will still dump him and others (Dr.Mulgliet, JPO, D'Arrigo and others, but definitely he is the main target. What Dr.Debono is after, is that at least he will get some sort of honorable way out.
Dr.Debono still firmly believes that people like Dr.Austin Gatt, Dr.Carm Mifsud Bonnici, Tonio Fenech and the rest of the clicque should shoulder responsibility to their failures but has somehow lost faith that this would happen and is giving up!
In the meantime GonziPN has not been idle and is working in at least 3 directions on Dr.Debono.
1. They're advising (coaching him) on how to behave with media etc.
2. They're also finding ways in trying to make him believe that he's still an asset to the party.
3. They're filling him up with proposition of what areas and positions he would be led to occupy.
Mr Charles.C. Brown
Feb 5th, 20:17
Please Franco dont ever even think of cousing more harm to your glorious party and the PM. Just think of what you would loose if you go, that big fat MPs salary and what about those benefits that comes with it! Besides now that the election is only 14 months away people are waiting for that bit of extra "chejcha" that the PN like to give away before the election , please i beg of you do not dissapoint them, the people of malta and Gozo, they are all egerly waiting for the next buget, i hear that bills are to be slashed by half and theres big surprises on the way such as substantial rises in pensions, free medical care for everyone and bonuses galore for the working classes...stay put man do not let the people down!! Just remember that Malta is the only country in the whole wide world thats on the up and doing wonders in these terbulant times, didnt you see Junker open mouthed cheering the PM of Malta in Brussles.I for one was going to burst with pride! Dont ruin it all !!!
T Gauci
Feb 5th, 19:37
Election now or later GonziPN will suffer the biggest defeat in history.
Giov DeMartino
Feb 6th, 16:06
Jista jkun li qed tghid sewwa hafna, hafna. Imma kieku jien nistennihom ifaqqsu. Ma tafx x'gara l-ahhar elezzjoni?
Peppi Borg
Feb 5th, 19:15
GonziPN has learnt nothing from the prevailing situation amongst his own supposedly supporters. The political favours have exceeded the limits of understanding. The lack of meritocracy in promotions and appoints has exceeded the limits of acceptance. The downward spiral which the stand of living has been slipping into has exceeded the limits of tolerance. But GonziPN still believes that by asking for a VOTE OF CONFIDENCE within the echelons of the PN will solve all his problems.
lilly vella
Feb 5th, 19:09
GonziPN does not seem to want to realise that he no longer enjoys a majority in parliament. The casting vote is just a silly arrangement. GonziPN is no longer sustainable.
mark borg
Feb 5th, 18:53
"A respectable result for the PN at the local elections could convince the party to bite the bulletHowever, party officials acknowledged that the situation is still fluid, and that next month’s local elections could even have an influence over whether the Prime Minister would opt for an early election"
This is another GonziPN antic so lots of PL will refrain from voting in local councils ! BEWARE whatever the local council results, Gonzi will remain holding tight to his chair and elections unless Franco Debono puts his money where his mouth is, would never occur ....So let's all show our support for the PL in the coming local elections....to send a message across the country that we had enough of the CORRUPT BEYOND BELIEF GONZIPN REGIME (as alleged by Dr Debono also up to a couple of days ago)
Jo Camm
Feb 5th, 18:33
Thanksyou all for your suggestions for an ealy election, but we have a PM who knows MUCH better than you what he should do.
John Zammit
Feb 5th, 18:25
If Dr. Debono withdraw all he said there still is the need for early elections as the accusation were too serious
Ivan Esposito
Feb 5th, 18:25
Am I to assume that either, Dr. Debono has retracted his serious accusations or Dr. Gonzi has accepted these accusations?
sharon farrugia
Feb 5th, 17:26
Is Franco still a Pn member or not? He stated that he had resigneg a couple of months ago. Is this another u turn from Dr. Debono?
Tonio Bone
Feb 5th, 18:23
This is a country of U-turns and roundabouts Sharon! If you realize you are wrong and move on to a milder stance it is always better than digging your heels in out of spite or just to be stubborn! The first option is being rational, the second is being plain stupid.
Joseph Grech
Feb 5th, 17:09
The Hon. Prime Minister may be suffering from "The People Love Me" syndrome. Now, who said this phrase and was booted out of power?
Jonathan Camilleri
Feb 5th, 16:56
When thinking about it, this seems one of the comedies that only happen in Malta to create news, perhaps, a way of showing the public that GonziPN does actually have people who internally criticize it. It's just that sometimes I am not sure what to believe as reality, in a world of "role playing" policy making.
Angelo Vassallo
Feb 5th, 16:45
@ Paul Portelli
Intom il-lejburisti ddahquni jew inkella ahjar tbikkuni bil mod dilettantesk kif titkellmu. Il-partit lejburista ta' dumintoff kien SERAQ l-elezzjoni tas-sena 1981 minn halq il-POPLU MALTI. Intom domtu ggranfati u mwahhla mas-siggijiet u mal-pultruni tal-poter ghal 5 snin u 5 xhur shah u l-elezzjoni ghamiltuha fl-ahhar Sibt possibbli biex zgur tlaqqtu kollox, u biex kellkom kull cans li tixtru l-voti tan-nies billi timpjegaw 8000 ruh mal-gvern jew kumpaniji parastatali. Ezempju Jason Micallef jidhol jahdem mal-PBS ftit granet biss qabel l-elezzjoni. Illum JM taghkom ammetta li dak il-gvern lejburista kien moralment u demokratikament illegittimu. Imma KMB ma jaqbilx.
Min ghandu ragun dak li prattikament huwa prim mInistru bla vot jew KMB li kien prim ministru ukoll bla vot?
Paul Portelli
Feb 5th, 23:06
@angelo vassallo
il-perit mintoff ma seraq l-ebda elezioni imma il-loghba kienet dak iz-zmien li min igib il maggoranza tas-siggijiet jiggverna.anzi kien ragel u wara irranga il-kostituzioni fuq dil haga.illum qedin titkazaw bdak li sar dak iz zmien?
jekk impjega 8000 ruh dak nahseb gid kien ghalijhom.illum bil kontra illum xi pampalun jiehu xi miljun lghawn u lemm al butu.dik id differenza bejn il pn u il pl .il pl dejjem bliszbalji kolla li ghamel dejjem al haddiem iz zghir hadem.min ghandu ragun sur vassallo? il poplu jew dak tal- klikka/
R. Gauci
Feb 7th, 01:17
Fl-1971 kien hemm l-istess xenarju, l-MLP maggoranza ta` 5,000 vot u rebah l-elezzjoni b'siggu wiehed biss ghal 20 vot, tahseb li partitek kien accettah dan ghax il-magoranza kienet kontrih?? U zgur li le, sitt (6) recounts kien ghamel qabel accetta t-telfa. Mela tkunx ipokrita habib.
John Azzopoardi
Feb 5th, 16:44
Not having an electionin the next 3-4 months will haunt the nationalist for a long time. As we go into 2012 and 2013, I will predict that Malta's economic situation will get worse. As it stands today, Malta has not suffered as much in economic terms. This alone should lead to a win with the right electoral program. Who knows in what economic shape will Malta be in a years time.
R. Gauci
Feb 5th, 16:38
Waqt li ghaddejja din il-kummiedja survey wara iehor qed dejjem ikabbru l-maggoranza Laburista, keep it up.
C. Mifsud
Feb 5th, 16:14
So now whether we go for an early general election or not will be determined by what results the PN obtains in the local councils elections???? So much for the national interest!!!
Joseph Calleja
Feb 5th, 15:17
Franco Debono keeps referring to " some oligarchy or clique”. I think it is about time that he put some names behind that phrase. Who is FD referring to? Is it outside interference or is it some of the Ministers that are leading and influencing Dr Gonzi? Who are these people FD? I never thought you are the kind that throws the rock and go hide. Or are you going to abstain on this one too? Be transparent and name names and don't refer to these influential people as " clique." I am sure they all have names.
J. Scicluna
Feb 5th, 15:04
The PM should be asking the PEOPLE for their vote not the Nationalist Party!
So many people will remember the personalised letters they recieved from you, come next election!
There are 500 families dependant on Air Malta who will DEFINATELY remember your promise, Dr. Gonzi! The Press and GonziPN are saying that these 500 have applied for VOLUNTARY redundancy schemes but the truth of the matter is that a large number of these 500 were "advised" that they do NOT have a future at Air Malta and were "advised" to "take the money and run" before being made redundant!
GonziPN started with 49.3% of the votes in 2008 and this legislature was doomed to failure from the word "GO". Salvage what scaps of honour you think you still have and call for a General Election now.
If, as you think (and dream) that Malta still wants YOU, then you will be re-elected and you can continue where you left off.
Pick up the gauntlet if you are so sure of your "track record"!
But, in all honesty, I cannot imagine this happening and your Party will suffer the greatest electoral defeat in PN history (Austin Gatt's words, not mine). THAT is the only result that counts and not the standing ovations from your "faithful" at Pieta'!
Jo Camm
Feb 5th, 14:57
"Prospects of an early election are diminishing" - and so are the prospects of the PL in Government in 2012. They hate the election in 2013 as, being the 13th, they think it might be 'unlucky' for them.
Steve Sant
Feb 5th, 14:50
Brilliant, at least now we get the best part of the legislature, many favors and lots of nice returns for your vote, yippee.
Peter Azzopardi
Feb 5th, 14:27
Fl opinjoni tieghi il pajjiz ma jistax jibqa miexi bil krozzi, u anke jekk ikollhom jissetiljaw l affarijiet xorta nemmen li l ahjar interess ghal pajjiz hija l elezzjoni. Ghal labour issir meta issir l elezzjoni ma taghmilhux differenza fejn ilu jistenna jistenna , u qas tant taghmel differenza jekk ma jitlax fil gvern , ghax l interess importanti hu li xi hadd jigverna fl ahjar interss ghal poplu Malti u Ghawdxi. Jekk joghgobkom tghalmu ir rispetaw lil poplu, hu ma nahsibx li kien haqqkom Euro500 fil gimgha zieda wara dan it telf ta hin kollhu mill parlament .....
Joseph Grech Attard
Feb 5th, 14:23
And the farce goes on. As if people in their true senses believed the scenario. This has been the only way for GonziPN to attract sympathy and give a boost to the party. And rest assured it's not over yet. The show must go on and more 'dolorosa' stories will surely evolve. One needs to send the message of "poor Gonzi" to all frustrated Nationalist supporters whose party, at present, is losing ground. San Lorenzo, Ora pro nobis!
p galea
Feb 5th, 17:06
All i can say is that i HOPE i will forgive But I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT the nationalist government made me and many others go through!!!!!
m. borg (slm)
Feb 5th, 13:38
"Contacted yesterday, Dr Debono said the Prime Minister’s declaration during a conference last Sunday that his government had made mistakes and that he was shouldering responsibility was an “important step in the right direction."
But that is something that gonzi does before every election. Hollow apologies to take the people for a ride. Now if Franco thinks so much of gonzi's apology it is about time he makes one himself not to gonzipn but to the whole nation for time and money wasted for his frivolous diatribes.
.
I guess one has to agree and tell Franco to grow up.
j brincat
Feb 5th, 13:34
@Mario Sammut
"Poor old Lejber . They have been hoping for an early election since the Pn WON THE LAST ELECTION"
Who wants early elections, dear? Look at today's survey carried out in another newspaper and the results say it all.
The more Gonzi NM clings to power the greater would be his fall.
When the people talk you have to listen to them. If you don't then don't blame them for kicking you out of power.
What worries me most is that in all probability we would go to the next general election with 2007 expired ID cards.(are you getting my message loud and clear PL???)
(jb)
m. borg (slm)
Feb 5th, 13:33
"Franco Debono (left) says he hopes that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is not being held hostage by some sort of clique."
.
I am under the impression that one of Franco's reasons for what he did was because he categorally stated that Gonzi is behing held hostage by a clique, that the government has become an oligarchy noe he is saying "He hopes...."
.
Is this guy for real? Only goes to show that even ig gonzipn manage to do the legislature it is an eye opener to the people of what kind of politicians are at the helm.
.
I am against personal attacks but at times like these I start to believe that certain people had a good reason to come out with certain advice for Franco.
In maltese we say "Ahna ahna jew m'ahniex" Franco?
Mario Sammut
Feb 5th, 13:14
Poor old Lejber . They have been hoping for an early election since the Pn WON THE LAST ELECTION . Infact they have been hoping for the last 25 years . a GENERATION . Even I am starting to feel sorry for them . Instead of abstaining like I usually do , I might even go out to vote for them this time . I mean , come on lets put them out of their misery , poor sods .
Renald Borg
Feb 5th, 13:26
Lol you think politics is a game about points and haha I won, you're the poor sod
m. borg (slm)
Feb 5th, 13:41
Don't be so sure mate the swing that will happen is no thanks to Franco but thanks to Gonzi and his cabinet.
michael scicluna
Feb 5th, 13:47
although no one finds your sarcasm entertaining, one must say that if you do make that shift although not for the reasons you've mentioned...........you wont be the first to declare to do so, and certainly not the last!;)
Welcome to y'all!
Jos Vella
Feb 5th, 13:57
Mario, what exactly is your position?..yet you have to convince me about your usual "abstaining", if you have been abstaining all these years would mean that you are simply not interested in politics and do not even care of who is leading the country. So why waste your time writing blogs on something you do not believe in? Isnt't there any TV program, interesting book, a friend whom you may wish to talk to on a cold Sunday like today?
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 5th, 14:37
Renald, can't you see sarcasm when it smacks you in the face?
Joseph Sammut
Feb 5th, 18:03
Eddie Fenech Adami was shown on state TV declaring that any party should not stay in power for more than 10 years!!!!! The poor sods are all Maltese - red AND blue!!!!
j brincat
Feb 5th, 13:06
@Giov DeMartino
"I think that Franco Debono is still in time to realize that there are several ways of doing things"
And this all the insults hurled at him! And you should know this very well. You know what I mean, don't you!!!
(jb).
j brincat
Feb 5th, 13:04
@Joseph E Briffa
"How can one be so naive? Which party doesn't put its own interests first?"
Simple - a party that puts the national interest, first and foremost if we REALLY love this country!
Then, if antics and theatrics are the order of the day (as is with this government) then it is a completely different matter!
It's now obvious that playing to the gallery is the way forward for GonziPN, err... I mean GonziNM (No Majority)!
(jb)
Joseph E Briffa
Feb 5th, 14:13
Can you mention one party which REALLY loves its own country MORE than itself? Can you mention anybody who loves one's own neighbour MORE than oneself? The best is to love one's neighbour AS oneself. The same goes for any party because parties are made up of human beings.
Joe Fenech
Feb 5th, 12:56
FrancoPN and GonziPN are on a honeymoon. FD, resign! : you had no guts to carry out your plans. You could have been a Mercury for Malta but now you're a fallen hero.
One problem though... Who on earth is fit to rule Malta? The PN/LP lovers are surely hopeless cases.
pat muscat
Feb 5th, 12:50
Prospects of early elections diminishes whilst instability increases!
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 5th, 14:39
Hardy har, har!
mario piscopo
Feb 5th, 12:38
teatrin totali !!!!!
Andrew Cumbo
Feb 5th, 11:52
Jigri x’jigri jistaw jinġħaqdu f’tġħanniqa fliemkien il- Prim ministru u Franco Debono, kull ma ikun loġħob bil-bzallu ġħall ġħajn in-nies. Ħafna Maltin ħa jibqaw jiftakru il- kliem li dan il- Gvern imexxi min klikka, onogarkija, evil (ħazen) u li f’dan il- partit ma tistax tesprimi l-idejat u taħdem b’mod seren.
J J Dalli
Feb 5th, 11:41
I thought so from the very beginning. Typical of the PN. They shall reconcile with Dr Debono until they need to, then give him their backs. In my opinion time will show that the biggest political loser in this whole story shall be Dr Debono.
Sandro Pace
Feb 5th, 12:25
Nothing wrong in that, from the PN's perspective. It's called strategy and finesse. Even if what is being percieved from us common citizens as calm, can only hold as long as Dr. Debono wishes. They had many options, one of them to convince Dr. Debono to mellow a bit. And so far they've done it without sacrificing any Party dignity in appearing to succumb to blackmail. You cannot blame them as these are legitimate political tactics.
Whatever one says, anyone who has a grudge with the leadership can contest the leadership election. Even if Dr. Gonzi is uncontested, party councillors can still give a message with their secret vote. That is, if the election is correctly supervised and we are to trust the result.
Losers? Ultimately yes, anyone who is impulsive will by his own actions be a loser. As almost was going to be the PL by rushing into a vote of no confidence, which semi-backfired. While the PL had everything to gain in seeing the adversaries disintegrate, their rushed actions only united them. They could have had the best year of their lives. I do not think that the vote was Dr. Muscat's idea within the Party. He is too astute for that.
s grima
Feb 5th, 12:26
nqbel mijak perfetament sihbi
Alfred Fenech
Feb 5th, 13:00
Too little too late. The PN have shown their teeth. The only acceptable responsibility is to
is tp back down gracefully and hope for a favourable election outcome. Saving face. But nobody,
nobody will ever forget the arrogant demand of ... I want my 500 euros back if I get up again..
No chance for the PN with Gonzi on board..........They know it !!!!!!
Martin Micallef
Feb 5th, 11:32
Ideally Gonzi should resign from post as a PN Leader, even Paul Borg Oliver should resign (he has been the worst general secretary in the PN history, i dont know how he got elected, i never saw not even good as a Mayor for Valletta, he does not have the capabilities for the job, I hope he resign before the election)...the pn have never had been in this mess before...I agree in what Franco has said in the Parlament that certain people have to go or to be changed.
Why all the good PN people are leaving the PN?...something is wrong and I hope that it will be solved and the people that are harming the party should resign but I doubt if they resign...if they resign it will be good for the party...
The person that I would like to take the post is Joe Borg (the ex EU Commissioner), I think he will do good as a PN and Malta, because he had done a very well as a EU Commissioner...If he comes forward, it will be good at the moment...
The way Gonzi informed the Joe Borg as he’s not going to be anymore as EU Commissioner wasn’t nice seems that he has no respect to high profile people, I dont think it is way to inform the person that he will not serving the post anymore... How Gonzi can respect the normal people...
Alfred Fenech
Feb 5th, 13:05
I agree with you. Nothing short of ... Gonzi, Borg Oliver, and the whole klikka, should resign ( the 500euros receivers ) if the PN wants to regain face again. The normal and honest people should decide their fate.
C Galea
Feb 5th, 11:32
Does this mean that what was said in parliament is not true of how much difference there is between Dr Debono and Dr Gonzi??
Mr Emanuel Farrugia
Feb 5th, 11:30
"Contacted yesterday, Dr Debono said the Prime Minister’s declaration during a conference last Sunday that his government had made mistakes and that he was shouldering responsibility was an “important step in the right direction”.
No teamwork at all. It is important that one can note the following: “A respectable result for the PN at the local elections could convince the party to bite the bullet and call an early general election to resolve the uncertainty. A very bad result means we’re going to need to re-group and take stock of the situation.”
A source said that another option could be that the Prime Minister leaves his post before the next election if the PN faces political haemorrhage at the polls next month.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
Raymond Cutajar
Feb 5th, 11:27
Dr F Debono may I insist that as Yourself stated ( is mine and many others as well ) any situ. the political scene is in -Dr Gonzi shouldered political responsability and he never and will never under the present scenario accepts / dishes out Resignations for utter personal greediness and DEFINITLY not for the country .
I Hate to think that you have gone back on your beleifs for the Country
Man Is ' who shines in the shade " ( ' ' )
E Gatt
Feb 5th, 11:16
Even when times seem tough, we keep fighting and don't give up.
This is one of the reasons why PN attracts optimists, and has been so successful.
Giov DeMartino
Feb 5th, 11:09
I think that Franco Debono is still in time to realize that there are several ways of doing things.
Paul Portelli
Feb 5th, 11:31
and keep you in the clikka giiov
Kenneth Williams
Feb 5th, 12:25
EZATT Mr.Portelli...ax ma nahsibx li jimpurtah min Franco Debono sehibna. Ax Franco jista jghid li bye bye karriera politika,ghax dawn ma jahfrux.
Joe Fenech
Feb 5th, 13:11
I think he's realising that the only way forward in Malta is to lick boots.
But anyhow, PN/PL - nothing will ever change over there. Mediocrity and a slave-spirit are ingrained in the Maltese spirit!
Anthony A. Mifsud
Feb 5th, 11:00
OMG what a show! And do you thing that this will solve the internal situation?
Giv e me stream and I run
Tony
Karl Consiglio
Feb 5th, 10:59
"Prospects of an early election are diminishing"
Thank God!
V Caruana
Feb 5th, 10:58
Dak li kien jgħidilna Eddie biex naħsbu b'moħħna qed nagħmluh izda ma għadux hekk il-PN. Min hu ta' fehma differenti, min hu ta' orjentazzjoi sesswali differenti u min jaħsibha differenti mit-treġija tal-PN ma għandux postu fil-PN. il-partit ingħalaq ġo fih innifsu u jekk ma tgħidx IVA għalli jgħidulek ta' GonziPN dabbar rasek, Tant hu hekk li Paul Borg Olivier sosstna li kif jiġi kkonfermat Gonzi bħala kap tal-partit ilgrupp parlamentari u all the rest iridu jaqblu min ma jaqbilx ibati l-konsegwenzi. (għalinqas HEKK ta x'jifhem). Mhux ta' b'xejn esponenti nazzjonalisti dawwru fehemithom u sabu kenn elettorali fi ħdan il-partit laburista. Billi niftħu l-gazzetta tal-Ħadd u npingu lil JM li madwaru għandu membri tal-PL qadim huma artikli skaduti. Il-partiti t-tnejn qegħdin fuq kampanja elettorali. Diġa tqedu posti tal-bilboards (anke fejn is-soltu jkunu tal-PN). IKTAR dewmien iktar ħsara lil-Maltin ta' Rieda Tajba!
Lawrence Fenech
Feb 5th, 10:57
Gonzi qed jghazaq fl'ilma.
robert pace
Feb 5th, 10:47
One day or another things must change!! We are on the brink of losing democracy once again!! It happens to all leaders who have been too long. Just quit or you will mean severe beating for the next 20years or so at the polls !!
John Schembri
Feb 5th, 10:59
A very logical argument,I must say!!!!
And I added another exclamation mark to prove my point!!!
Alan Attard
Feb 5th, 20:32
@ Robert,
I heard your kind of talk in 1998, 2003 and 2008. When the supposedly alternative government is sooooooooooooo weak (in policies and argument) even the worst PN party in history is still with a chance to win any election.... just to keep you in the picture 6 wins in the last 7 general elections .... even Valletta FC would have difficulty in beating that record !!!!!
@John
And I added other exclamation marks to prove my point.
Paul Portelli
Feb 5th, 10:41
Franco do you thing your back on the parliamentary group next time?this is the reason you have abstained?
ohh my god .... you don't know the klikka boys well,they use you and throw you away like toilet paper. They did it to louis,to dalli,to michael falzon to borg olivier himself .open your eyes Franco,your only chance is getting rid of the klikka boys not supporting them as you are doing
John Schembri
Feb 5th, 11:00
Isa Franco do what this PL supporter wants you to do , he will vote for you.
Paul Portelli
Feb 5th, 11:30
@ john schembri.You gave him a good advise John not to listen to a pl supporter assuming that im one.But you didn't mention anything about what i said your party did to other people.tell me why did caccopardo leave pn,why did jeffry act as he did,why was Michael given the back from the pn,why did you get rid of dalli and Louis. what happened to jesmond muiljett.
there is only one answer.the pn use you and throw you away.
John Schembri
Feb 5th, 12:21
As far as I know Dalli asked to be commissioner , Louis Galea was made speaker of the house because Debono ousted him, and Michael Falzon did not get elected like Louis was. Mr Mugliette and JPO were attacked incessantly by Labour because of corruption (Mistra disco and Manuel Dimech bridge), could this be true? BTW since when Dalli , Mugliette and JPO have become your heroes?
Paul Portelli
Feb 6th, 08:56
@ John schembri
As far as you know? Dalli was forced of his ministry to accept the role at he EU. Louis also because they challenged gonzi in the election.The others where kicked out because they where rebels in the party and didn't make part of the klikka boys.Who told you that the pl consider these people as hero's ?.they are just examples of what the pn clikka will do to you if you are not in there small circuit.
do you remember what happened to george borg olivier? how he was kikked out in a meeting at ta qali in the middle of the night?This is franco's future they use him now to stay in power and believe me they throw him away so fast .time will tell and prove me right.
Paul Cassar
Feb 5th, 10:37
The very contents of this article go to show that.................. UNCERTAINTY IS SUPREME...........therefore while
for the party concerned an election may be fatal...........................FOR THE COUNTRY IT IS VITAL especially
economy wise.....................elementary!!!!!!!
C Cassar
Feb 5th, 10:51
Malta has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, around 6%. That's a sure sign that the economy is doing very well taking into account the current global downturn. The Maltese have it very nice right now compared to everyone else in Europe.
Joselle Camilleri
Feb 5th, 10:59
There mary be uncertainty but not instability. Economy wise Malta is doing quite well. Many work and earn a living within decent standards. If we were to compare Malta to Italy, I can assure you that more than 60% of the Italian population would love to have a situation like that of Malta where, at least, one works with a regular contract, contributions get paid, most prices (here I mean staples and fuel) are controlled and people have a chance to go out, interact, enjoy themselves and live life normally. Really, in Malta we tend to spend a lot of energy on very petty issues, missing the woods for the trees. It is a very insular trait. That is the only disadvantage I see; our closed mentality.
Paul Cassar
Feb 5th, 11:45
Malta is doing well IN SPITE OF THE GOVT................... because we as a nation SAVE MONEY, our business
are serious and our banks are trustworthy...........BUT OUR PN GOVTS HAVE WORKED US INTO
5,000,000,000 E DEFICIT WITH 600,000E DAILY INTEREST..........
S. Vella
Feb 5th, 12:58
@Pail Cassar
You do not understand economics very well, do you? Over 90% of that 5 billion is owed to Maltese nationals and companies. We are in a very good position compared to most of the other EU countries.
Paul Cassar
Feb 5th, 13:32
@ S Vella
what you yourself just wrote proves my point.................please make an effort perhaps you will understand.
Matthew Grima
Feb 6th, 11:45
S. Vella
"Over 90% of that 5 billion is owed to Maltese nationals and companies."
Also known as "tal qalba".
j brincat
Feb 5th, 10:29
“Clearly, Dr Debono realises his political career is over if he pushes the government overboard"
There is no doubt at all that Dr Debono is an intelligent person. The recent happenings when the PN sympathisers butchered him with their insults is clear evidence that come what may his political career is now well over. When the PN took stock of the situation they realised the damage they have caused to the Party and how this the policy has grossly backfired against them. The PN therefore changed strategy and tactics and are now trying to mollycoddle Dr Debono and offer him an olive twig to win him over so that he does not to rock the boat further. But this is only temporarily and Dr Debono is wise enough to realise this! His days in politics are numbered. At least he will be remembered as a catalyst who brought about changes, even if for many these were unorthodox. This was done at the cost his his political career!
Quote:"A respectable result for the PN at the local elections could convince the party to bite the bullet and call an early general election to resolve the uncertainty"
Are these PN 'officials' admitting that for the PN party politics come before the interests of the country? Not that we had any doubt, anyway! You have only to look at the PM's recent delaying tactics to come to an easy conclusion.
(jb)
Joseph E Briffa
Feb 5th, 11:45
How can one be so naive? Which party doesn't put its own interests first? If a party doesn't do its best to ensure that it is elected or re-elected how would it be possible for that party to work for the interests of the country?
Angelo Vassallo
Feb 5th, 10:06
L-ahjar soluzzjoni ghall-pajjizna f'dan il-mument kritiku internazzjonali u u Ewropew. Konsistentament fl-ahhar 25 sena, l-Partit Nazzjonalista dejjem ghazel li jghamel l-elezzjoni biss meta jkun ta' vantagg ghall-Malta.
Paul Portelli
Feb 5th, 11:22
sorry angelo il pn dejjem ghazel li jghamel elezzioni meta jaqbel lilu mux il pajjiz ghax iggranfat mas siggu komdu li hu u tal-klikka qed jitpaxxew minnhu u il miskin poplu jittewweb.
R Busuttil
Feb 5th, 12:01
LOL. Mr Vassallo, do you really believe ANY political party ever did this? We really get the government we deserve in this country!!
How very sad that a considerable portion of my fellow countrymen just gobble anything preached to them and it never crosses their mind to THINK with their own minds rather than believe everything they are told by the parties.
I am one who is really proud of my country but comments like this and others similar (on both sides of our stupid political system) show that we still have so much to learn and that we are still so immature politically.
Charles Micallef
Feb 5th, 10:05
Keep hanging on, as you or your followers will not find better jobs, so milk this one for all it's worth!
Jay Oatmon
Feb 5th, 09:57
The problem is no one is accountable from the failures and no one has the guts to tackle the rel issues - we need an 'Arab Spring' or an election to get this country out of the past 'no change is easiest' way of ding things.
We have constant scandals, and a failed courts system, a failed prison system, illegal land occupation and many more - but no one seems to want change in this government.
John Schembri
Feb 5th, 10:56
We sometimes conclude that any change is a good change , we were already proven wrong when Dr Sant was elected.
Noel Abela
Feb 5th, 09:48
I thought that all that was beingn said by GonziPn was in the best interest of the country. Reading this article clearly shows that all this charade is in the interest of the party. So, may I ask, who is glued to the chair of power. And as for Dr Debono does anyone believe that his political career is not over if he returns to the party. His political career is doomed no matter what he does and by the way I thought that he had resigned from the party!!!!!!!!!!! A lot of talk which will stand and haunt the PN for ever, but not action.
G Mangion
Feb 5th, 09:44
quote : “A respectable result for the PN at the local elections could convince the party to bite the bullet and call an early general election to resolve the uncertainty. A very bad result means we’re going to need to re-group and take stock of the situation.”
The mlp had Alway's had a respectable result foe the Local ekections not to mention the MEP elections too
But regardless of that the mlp Lost the General Elections 4 Years ago ! cannot agree here.
the local elections are not a mirror of the General elections as we all know, there are People like Me who Dont give a darn about the local councils and dont vote for them. BUT like me I will Vote for the General Elections, My Oppinion can be wrong for some but this is the pure truth no ?
G. Mangion.
Victor Vella
Feb 5th, 09:38
Contacted yesterday, Dr Debono said the Prime Minister’s declaration during a conference last Sunday that his government had made mistakes and that he was shouldering responsibility was an “important step in the right direction”.-The Maltese people have already heard the same things over and over again as the Maltese have heard what Debono says over and over again. After the Arriva farce we heard the same words by Gonzi. Even before the last general election when the opposition revealed the tapes of shame of corruption made in the department of Censu Galea the Prime minister shouldered the same responsibility. Every time that the PN failed due to incompetency and corruption the PM always shouldered the responsibility. It is better for Gonzi and Debono narrow the rifts and cracks that they have between them and decide what to do to increase the needed stability . Whenever is the date of election the Maltese already made their decision to whom to vote- People want political and economic stability. No More no less.
John Schembri
Feb 5th, 10:54
As soon as Joseph stops showing his overeagerness to take over the reigns from Gonzi stability will continue to reignin this country.
Business has been living with Gonzi for nearly a decade , the only unknown factor is Dr Muscat who’s only experience has been as a Super One journalist.
A. Mizzi
Feb 5th, 09:23
Prospects of an early election are diminishing - These would since Dr. Gonzi fears competition!
He only wants an election where he can be uncontested, to be sure to win!
John Schembri
Feb 5th, 10:50
Mintoff always confirmed his leadership in times of trouble with a show of hands. Now would you consider Mintoff as a coward?
Joselle Camilleri
Feb 5th, 11:02
Just in case you've forgotten, Gonzi has asked for a secret vote which, in my opinion, is more honest than an open vote. There is no coercion there. All are free to vote to whoever they like, that is, if any other candidates come forward.