Debono: Party in camouflaged electoral campaign should act as caretaker government

Nationalist MP Franco Debono said today that if the PN had embarked on a camouflaged electoral campaign, it should act as a caretaker government and refrain from entering major binding decisions or commitments

Commenting on the fact that parliament has been adjourned for almost four weeks over Easter and the fact that no votes have been taken for over two months, Dr Debono said: "If the party has decided to go into a camouflaged electoral campaign by means of aggressive clientalism spree, whilst giving the impression that it is business as usual, then the government should also act accordingly as a caretaker government, refraining from entering into major binding decisions or commitments."

Dr Debono had abstained in a no confidence vote last January, and the Speaker had to use his casting vote.

The MP again refused to specify how he would vote in parliament in the future.

"There are currently no pending votes in parliament," he said, adding that the matter is decided by the House Business Committee, which is chaired by Leader of the House Carm Mifsud Bonnici.

He added that the revelation by The Times that former Health Minister Louis Deguara had 'orders from above' to sign the agreement with doctors went a long way in proving his claims about the oligarchic set-up and the role of Parliament, MPs and some ministers on the one hand and the prime minister, his advisers and coterie and some other ministers on the other.

NO PARLIAMENTARY GROUP MEETING ON BUDGET CUTS

Dr Debono added that no Parliamentary group meeting had been held to discuss the millions of euro in budget cuts which need the approval of Parliament.

He also insisted that ministers who failed should be held accountable, independently of their family lineage.

"Everyone is aware of the situation in justice and home affairs for the past years," Dr Debono added.

Dr Debono would not comment on reports in the media concerning the Herman Schiavone rejected candidature.

Meanwhile informed sources said that Dr Schiavone’s bid to become a PN candidate for the forthcoming general election was rejected at a recent meeting of the PN’s administrative council. The same meeting approved the candidatures of  Gejtu Vella and Paula Mifsud Bonnici.   

Administrative Council President Karol Aquilina would not comment on the decisions taken by the council. It is understood that Dr Schiavone is still lobbying for his bid to be accepted. He told The Sunday Times on March 25 that he was not aware of being told he may not contest the next election with the PN.

Last December the party issued a statement urging Mr Schiavone not to present himself as a candidate. 

The party also added with regard to Dr Schiavone at the time that: “It is unacceptable for the Nationalist Party that a serious allegation is made against one of its MPs by a person who then fails to either substantiate the allegation when asked to do so or to withdraw the allegation," it said.

It is understood that Dr Schiavone had alleged to Edgar Galea Curmi, the prime minister’s chief of staff, that he suspected that either Dr Debono or someone close to another candidate in the same district could be behind an anonymous letter in 2003 in his regard. Dr Debono always rejected the claim as false and unfounded and he had also informed the police.