The Nationalist Party’s Parliamentary Group this afternoon held fast against demands by Franco Debono and decided that the most urgent matter on Parliament’s agenda is the bill to implement the budget measures. It agreed that a vote on the bill will be taken on May 9 - the anniversary of the PN's 1987 election victory.
Speaking after a 90-minute meeting of the group, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that until that vote, the House will also debate the setting up of the Special Purpose Vehicle for the financing of the City Gate project.
Yesterday, Dr Debono said he had told the prime minister that he would not accept a vote on the Budget Implementation Bill before pending motions on justice and home affairs are discussed in the House. There have also been reports that an adjournment motion for the motions to be debated immediately will be moved in the House.
Failure to get the Budget Measures Bill through would probably spell the end of the government. Dr Debono has not said how he will vote. The government could still survive if Dr Debono abstains and the Speaker uses his casting vote.
Dr Gonzi said that other business on the agenda of the House will be discussed on other days but the budget measures’ vote should clearly establish whether or not the government has a majority.
Parliament has not had a division vote since the no confidence debate on January 26, when Dr Debono abstained and the Speaker used his casting vote.
Although the Prime Minister has not set a date for the Opposition's motion of no confidence in the Justice Minister and Dr Debono's own 22-point motion on justice reforms, which Dr Debono wants 'debated immediately', any MP can move a procedural motion in the House for these or any other motion to be debated. Should the procedural motion be approved, the debate on the relevant motion would have to be held.
Today's meeting of the PN group was not attended by Dr Debono. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Jesmond Mugliett were also absent.
FRANCO DEBONO'S REACTION
Reacting to the Prime Minister's comments, Dr Debono said that if there was something urgent, the prime minister should have tackled it a long time ago instead of concentrating on 'operation kitchens'. He should also not have taken a four-week Easter holiday.
"Lawrence Gonzi is inflicting the same harm to the political class as his uncle Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi had inflicted on the Church and he should resign," Dr Debono said.
Dr Debono had earlier today challenged the Prime Minister to a public debate on any subject 'anywhere and any time'.
His only condition, he said, was that the Prime Minister should be accompanied by at least another two ministers. He, Dr Debono said, would be on his own.
Dr Gonzi rejected the call said this was not a matter for public debate but a matter for parliament.
Earlier today Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando appeared to be backing calls for an early election.
Dr Pullicino Orlando commented on facebook this afternoon that "Prolonging the inevitable has now not only become humiliating ....... it is not in the national interest." (see separate story).
See also: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120424/local/debono.416842