Nationalist MP Franco Debono yesterday supported the government on two crucial money Bills, even though there was no let-up in his harsh criticism of his colleagues.
This was the first parliamentary vote since Dr Debono abstained on a vote of no-confidence in the government last January, which sparked concern over the government’s longevity.
Dr Debono on Sunday said he would vote with the government on the Budget Measures Implementation Bill.
However, he did not commit himself to theresolution setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle for the financing of the City Gate project, which the Attorney General defined as a money Bill.
A parliamentary defeat on either vote would have forced the Prime Minister to call an early election, which had been expected by some.
The day began with an uneventful morning session, closing the long debate on the Budget Measures Implementation Bill, with Finance Minister Tonio Fenech making the concluding speech.
Parliament then reconvened for the evening session when the Bill went through the committee stage and Mr Fenech presented several amendments.
At first, the amendments were being approved without issue, but Dr Debono soon intervened and lambasted Mr Fenech for submitting more amendments to the Bill than there were clauses.
In a characteristically stinging speech where he spoke about a “self-appointed technocrat” who was calling the shots, Dr Debono said the government was continuing to ridicule Parliament.
After three months of no votes being taken in Parliament, and a four-week Easter recess, the government was now rushing the Budget Bill without giving enough time for scrutiny.
“I will keep fighting for Parliament to be given its due dignity,” Dr Debono said, pointing out that the government benches were practically empty and the Prime Minister was nowhere to be seen.
“Is he speaking to people on the internet?” he asked, with reference to the PN’s web conference with Lawrence Gonzi on Tuesday evening.
Mr Fenech told him he was following the usual parliamentary procedure used for Budget votes and this was the first time an MP was taking such an interest in the committee session of such a Bill.
“It’s usually just me and [shadow finance minister] Charles Mangion,” Mr Fenech said. Despite the 20-minute outburst from Dr Debono, all the amendments – around 60 from a Bill with 37 clauses – were approved in a four-hour session that was relatively calm.
The votes were held immediately afterwards and Dr Debono voted with the government.
Speaking to the press, Dr Gonzi pointed out that Dr Debono had supported the government, allowing it to continue to work onimportant things. Asked if the political crisis was over, Dr Debono refused to comment except to say he had made his position clear in Parliament.
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said it now had to be seen whether this voting pattern was consistent or simply an “apparent” calm.
The next high profile votes, on Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and EU Ambassador to Malta Richard Cachia Caruana, can be expected at the latest on May 30 and June 18 respectively.