How should the party deal with Dr Debono?
“It’s going to take much more than a favourable vote in the motion of confidence for Franco Debono to redeem himself” – Mario de Marco (right), sitting in Parliament with Dr Debono (behind) and parliamentary secretary Clyde Puli.
Nationalist MPs are still digesting Wednesday’s bitter episode where their colleague Franco Debono voted with Labour to oust a respected minister from a much-loved PN dynasty.
But while some are still talking about building bridges, others want a severance of relations. Internally, there are even rumblings moving to dismiss the MP altogether, regardless of the political cost.
Environment and Tourism Minister Mario de Marco, who has enjoyed good relations with Dr Debono over the years, criticised the Nationalist MP but left the door open to reconciliation.
“I’m deeply angered and hurt by what happened on Wednesday,” he said, confessing a filial interest in the debate on justice and home affairs since he remembered the pre-1987 police corps his late father Guido had inherited as the first Nationalist minister with these portfolios.
“To see the Labour Party, that is still composed of the old members of the Malta Labour Party which was responsible for the darkest pages in the history of the police corps, successfully pass a motion of censure against Carm Mifsud Bonnici, aided and abettedby Franco Debono, was to me a sad day for Malteseparliamentary democracy.”
Dr de Marco said the Nationalist MP had a lot to answer for and must assume responsibility for his actions, since voting on such a motion was an insult to the memory of those who suffered at the hands of the police while Labour was in government.
“I think it’s going to take much more than a favourable vote in the motion of confidence for him to redeem himself. I am confident he can do it but he must prove himself.”
Dr de Marco recalled a quote by former PN leader George Borg Olivier who once said that to be a true Nationalist one must love the party more than they love themselves.
“I think Franco (Debono) still has to prove that he is a true Nationalist,” Dr de Marco added.
Dr de Marco, touted as a future PN leadership contender, said the government must continue fulfilling its mandate to govern for five years, holding the fort while “Europe is burning”.
Instability, he said, was caused by baseless motions about police cars failing their VRT tests. As long as the government continues to pass important legislation, it must remain in power.
However, Dr de Marco also had a message for those who are dealing with Dr Debono.
“We must keep in line with the politics of persuasion and not the politics of appeasement,” he said, incorporating his father’s mantra which was also the title of the former President’s autobiography.
MP Charlò Bonnici, however, is one of those in favour of severing relations. He said: “Franco Debono crossed a red line he should never have crossed. We cannot be held hostage by one person. We cannot keep negotiating with him.”
His words echo those of his colleague Beppe Fenech Adami who has already publicly declared Dr Debono to have “burnt all bridges” with the party.
Mr Bonnici was struck by the solidarity shown towards Dr Mifsud Bonnici who was forced to submit his letter of resignation last week.
“It was a silver lining in a very dark cloud,” Mr Bonnici said, describing how Dr Debono’s vote united the parliamentary group.
Mr Bonnici said the opposition motion was unjustified, but what Dr Debono said after the vote showed he had ulterior motives.
“This is completely unacceptable,” Mr Bonnici said, adding that Dr Debono’s “ambitions and expectations” were clear even before the vote.
“I don’t believe any door should be kept open for such negotiations,” he added.
Meanwhile, backbencher Robert Arrigo insisted that “every scenario offers opportunity” and appealed for the PN to continue building bridges rather than burning them.
Describing Dr Debono as “the same old slow puncture”, Mr Arrigo said he would remain optimistic and confident that the party could overcome this hurdle.
“I am always for a solution. My life is all about building bridges and I believe there’s always a solution to everything, except death.”
However, Mr Arrigo refrained from proposing solutions himself.
“I can’t offer a solution because I’m not involved. Had I been involved maybe I could offer a solution,” he said, echoing various speeches in the past where he criticised the government’s exclusion of backbenchers.
“I have always preferred a part of inclusion,” he said. So should the Prime Minister take Dr Mifsud Bonnici’s stepping down as an opportunity to include some of the backbenchers like himself?
“Every scenario gives you opportunities. It’s about how you make the most of the opportunities that come along in life...”
How the saga unfolded
November 4, 2011
Franco Debono abstains in a motion censuring Transport Minister Austin Gatt for the botched public transport reform, allowing the Speaker’s casting vote to save him.
November 8
The backbencher supports the government in a vote of confidence, after Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi sets up a taskforce to improve the bus system.
December 21
Dr Debono warns the Prime Minister he will withdraw parliamentary support unless Carm Mifsud Bonnici’s Justice and Home Affairs Ministry is split by year’s end.
January 6, 2012
Dr Gonzi announces a Cabinet reshuffle and splits the justice and home affairs portfolios, but Dr Debono immediately calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation and insists he will bring down the government if a vote of no confidence is held.
January 26
Amid pressure from the PN parliamentary group, which calls for his resignation, Dr Debono abstains in a no confidence motion tabled by the opposition – preventing an early election.
January 29
Dr Gonzi launches a PN leadership race but does not step down.
February 25
With no one else in the running, Dr Gonzi wins an overwhelming 96.5 per cent approval rating, though two MPs announce they did not vote.
April 23
After a long Easter recess, Dr Debono says he wants Parliament to discuss an opposition motion about justice and home affairs before the Budget Measures Implementation Bill. Dr Gonzi refuses.
April 26
Labour leader Joseph Muscat threatens to force a vote on the previously submitted opposition motions to censure Dr Mifsud Bonnici and Malta’s EU ambassador Richard Cachia Caruana – another government member at the receiving end of Dr Debono’s criticism.
May 2
After much bickering from both sides, a deal is brokered to debate the Budget Bill first, as clear timeframes are given for the other two motions.
May 9
Dr Debono supports the government on the money Bill (which is equivalent to a vote of confidence) and the City Gate project financing vote.
May 30
Last-minute negotiations with Dr Debono fail. The backbencher votes with the opposition to amend the motion of censure to one of resignation to oust Dr Mifsud Bonnici, who immediately resigns.
Dr Gonzi calls a vote of confidence in the government for tomorrow and Dr Debono announces he will not vote against. Nor, he says, would he support the opposition’s censure motion on Mr Cachia Caruana scheduled for June 18.
May 31
It emerges that the backbencher was “close” to negotiating a “whole package” of changes.
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Eddy Privitera
Jun 4th 2012, 13:04
The biggest dilemma for Gonzi will arrive when GonziPN has to finally decide to announce the candidates for the general election. If Franco Debono applies or signifies his intention to contest the election, what will Lawrence Gonzi and the executive do ? Accept him or not ? THAT IS THE BIG QUESTION !
George Camilleri
Jun 4th 2012, 11:03
CMB's resignation could have been avoided if the Government acted on Dr Debono's HIGHLY INSTRUMENTAL proposals on the justice system immediately. I find it hard to call Malta a purely modern and democratic country if our legal systems (pertaining to justice, libel, etc.) is not 'up to date' as in the case of certain (admirable) European legal systems (after all, apart from Maltese, we are European..... aren't we??). Progress has been made over the years but that is never a reason to relax, slow down and stagnate. Progress is a constant element.
Irrespective of Debono's personal agenda, what he was proposing are much needed tools to lift this country into new democratic levels and it a huge shame that his ideas were sidelined / ignored / procrastinated upon. And here we are with the end result. When all of this could have been avoided if our Government was more open and active on much needed reforms instead of working only in keeping on what it might perceive as 'the red horde' at bay, i.e. safeguarding its political interests from pressure mounting from the Opposition.
And for once may I be bold enough to amend George Borg Olivier's maxim and change it to: "to be a true NATIONalist one must love the NATION more than they love themselves." - this applies EQUALLY to both Government and Dr Debono.
How should the Nationalist Party deal with this whole Franco Debono episode? Treat it as a well-learned lesson and start acting on the issues this great country is crying out for while they're still in government, there definately is no time to be wasted.
Alfred Falzon
Jun 4th 2012, 10:43
A PN ASSET TURNED PARIAH
MP Dr Franco Debono has been turned into a pariah by his own Party.
There is very little hope left to bridge the abyssal gap between him and some of his well-known Party detractors and hardliners.
On the other hand, the PL has given a spectacular display of political expediency not out of deference for Dr Franco Debono's stand, since the Divorce Campaign incidents involving Labour MPs Dr Marie Louise Coleiro and Dr Adrian Vassallo are still very fresh in our mind!
The fact is that every time a Parliamentary member of the major parties of Malta raises his head, he is declared a "heretic", insulted, threatened and even blackmailed.
This is not democracy in action but an imposition for the whole mandate that a party enjoys in power, irrespective of whether it's in the right or in the wrong! Loyalty to the party must be adhered to above all other considerations, even national interests (shades of totalitarian regimes)!
So now Dr Franco Debono stands nestled between two Establishment pillars - the PN and the PL - both only too ready to crush him under their awesome political weight!
Irrespective of the outcome of the "confidence vote" today Dr Franco Debono will remain an undaunted loner in Maltese politics, warts and all, for yes indeed, errors he has committed, some of them unwarranted, but his forcible output and mostly valid contribution to local politics remain unique and outstanding!
A pity that the saga seems to have reached a point of no return, though to quote once more our Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi": "I am a MAN OF COMPROMISE"!
Alfred A. Falzon
Adrian Gouder
Jun 4th 2012, 07:53
The question I think people should be asking is, does Dr. Debono have an electoral mandate for what he is doing? His votes are tied to the PN electoral manifesto, and it is obvious that the electocate that voted him through the PN ticket expect the electoral manifesto to have top priority. His proposals, although (they seem to be) important, practicle, and necassary in the longer run, are not an integral part of the manifesto and therefore should not come before what the PN has has promised in writing, in the order presented. Moreover, his personal ambitions should also not have top priority. I agree with Dr. Beppe Fenech Adami on this one; Dr. Debono has burnt all bridges. Also, he has allowed Labour to use him shamelessly, just to satisfy his personal vendettas. Labour have in turn got themselves into a dangerous situation by widening everyone's goal-posts to untenable limits, just to gain an easy win that has little effect at this late stage of this legislature; a petty move that will cost them and the country dearly in the future. back to Dr. Debono, It is a pity because his ideas look good, but the way he went about bringing them forth - plainly and simply unacceptable. He must go. The question is, should be the party force him to leave, or should the electorate decide? That's a difficult one, but my penny's worth is this; leave him run, but dutifully explain to all the repercussions of his actions. If the electorate still wants him, then, the people's wishes are soveregn... we get what they wish for, even if this is not necassarily what is good for us.
Robert Agius
Jun 3rd 2012, 22:36
And all this mess because of a rebel within a party in this charade of a democratic parliament. Oh! how I hope AD get a chair or two and end this charade along with both parties arrogance.
What to do? I think PN know what the majority of people (including many ex-nationalists for those partisans who will comment) would like...but would rather no go there.
Jay Oatmon
Jun 3rd 2012, 21:15
Debono is talking reality while the PN is just talking politics and business as usual.
William Caligari
Jun 3rd 2012, 20:18
@leon Camilleri (13.45).
Ma fhimt xejn siehbi.U bis-serjeta'!!!!! Nassumu li rrezenja mill-partit, jekk irrezenja mill-partit (nassumu)
xi dritt ghandhom it-tesserati jiehdu decizjoni fuq wiehed li m'huwiex socju? Il-Parlament ,hemm il-kostituzzjoni u kull dritt iehor, zgur l-Onor. Franco Debono bhala Avukat dan jafu kollhu.
C Busuttil
Jun 3rd 2012, 19:42
What should the PN do with Debono ? they should impliment the reasonable proposals he has put forward instead of wasting people's money on stupid projects such as a theatre without a roof!! Ma tarax li jaghmlu hekk
Debono is not alone, many share his views only those who have personal interests are against him. This party has been hijacked by opportunists. Mifsud Bonnici maybe a good guy but he was inefficient, the opposition any opposition in any democratic country would have done the same !!!!
The PN instead of taking on Debono should stop this attitude as if they have some God given right to know what's right or wrong. It is only sheer arrogance, that same arrogance shown by ministers, party officials and people in ministries that consider the citizen as a subject.
This government excels in being insensitive the reply to the bondin family is a fine example. I have no doubts that had they been members of the inner circle of friends of friends they would have received thousands of euro's in compensation. After all the PM and his ministers had no shame to give themselves a weekly increase of 500 euros while to the PEOPLE THEY SHOULD SERVE they gave only 1.16c!!!!
Bloggers should also refrain from repeating ad nauseam like parrots what they hear on Net and 101 it will not help and neither convince those nationalists that have no intention of voting. These people will not vote not because they did not obtain some "pjacir" but because they are tired of voting for a restricted circle that get rich through various escamotages such as consultancy posts for which they are paid obscene amounts. Not only they do not do their job well but they make disasters like with Arriva.
Genuine calls from many nationalists have not been heard, promising for the umpteenth time that they will start listening is now too late, Go in the opposition, get rid of those who harmed the party and present yourself again to the electorate at that point I will reconsider voting again. This election will not see me casting my vote even if it may mean a labour victory, I am sure that even them can perform better than this insensitive government. Ara fix gibtuni nghid
John Azzopoardi
Jun 3rd 2012, 19:18
Gonzi needs to stop being held hostage by Franco Debono and call an election immediately to resovle hits issue. As for Franco Debono, he can go back to being a lawyer at least. His political career is dead. He can never be trusted again by PL or PN becuae he is not considered to be a team player. THe PL may say what it want, but I bet you they don't want someone like Franco in their party. He is just too much of a timebomb as well as erratic.
Andy Farrugia
Jun 3rd 2012, 17:04
"How should the party deal with Dr Debono?" S-I-M-P-L-E! Just DON'T deal with "varinate impazzita" at all! If it were up to me I would have settled his hash way back in December by calling a general election. Probably this would have meant losing the election but it have given the party the opportunity to cleanse the stables of assorted flotsam and jetsam, and there are a couple of other characters who need to be canned like any "can of beans". But then I can easily say this because I am not a politician nor have I aspired to be one.
Andy Farrugia
Jun 3rd 2012, 17:17
Errata re typos : "variante impazzita"; "it WOULD have given"; "nor have I EVER aspired" - just for the sake of accuracy!
Carmel Grima
Jun 3rd 2012, 17:03
I am sorry for you Franco. This time you have grossly boobed and no longer deserve my support.
Ing Carmel Grima
Giuseppe Borg
Jun 3rd 2012, 16:48
We, so called citizens of a democratic country, are given a vote once every five years - normally - and we use it to give a 'power of attourney' so that given people represent our 'citizenship' in parliament ... This is done on the basis of a programme that we know of and rules and conditions should not be changed during the game. I - very unfortunately - gave this 'power of attourney' for five years to JPO without having any inkling of the 'mess' he was to create. Had I known of his intentions, I would definitely have not 'invested' my vote in him.
Likewise those who 'invested' their vote in the (not so) honorable (like JPO, and others) Franco Debono did not expect these 'silly games' ... Are these 'honourable' people representing their voters or their egos and personal interests? If they were candidates of the JPO party or the FB party respectively, and they would have declared a priori what they would have pushed forward in parliament when (supposedly ! ? !) representing their electors, they could have acted as they did and are acting.
Is democracy just a perception? Is it a mere fiction of the mind?
P. S. the (very) honourable (unlike some of his colleagues) Dr Carm Mifsud Bonnici was handed a vote of no confidence ... But nobody - not even anyone from the PL side - doubts of his integrity! ... So can the (not so) honourable Dr FB give us normal citizens the real reason please?
Noel Mifsud
Jun 3rd 2012, 16:42
And the 12 point goes to ____________ Dr Debono. And why is that, he requests and the PM obey.
Mr Bartolo Edward
Jun 3rd 2012, 16:42
I dare say Dr Debono will not be an isolated case. His attitude stems from the current trend of individualism, where people feel comfortable to form their own convictions irrespective of what trends and norms would dictate. This is, especially, the case with people who are above average intellectually, and who can form their own well-thought conceptualisations.
I place Dr Debono with this category of politicians who have ideas and who are able. I also say, Dr Debono should be seen as an asset for Maltese politics. Instead of seeing in him someone who disrupts a party, he should be seen as someone who provides and stimulates new discussions.
Finally, shutting down on Dr Debono will not stop the current trend.
Alfred Vassallo
Jun 3rd 2012, 16:25
'Dr de Marco said the Nationalist MP had a lot to answer for and must assume responsibility for his actions.'
Nothing of the sort was said when Mintoff did what he did, the PN just rode the crest of the wave.
So please now bear up and learn NEVER EVER take advantage of other people misfortune because there will come the day when it will come to haunt you, and haunt you it will.
Charles Massa
Jun 3rd 2012, 15:50
Dawn tal PN imhawdin wahda sew. Lanqas jafu isolvu problemi interni ahseb u ara problemi tal pajjiz. Kemm qieghdin nitpaxxew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is soluzzjoni hija wahda ghal GONZIPN - sejjah elezzjoni u thallux lil Franco Debono jphrog mal partit. Imma dak li jigri meta jkolna prim ministru imwahhal mas siggu tal poter
John Busuttil
Jun 3rd 2012, 15:46
Dr. Debono needs to learn all about loyalty to his costituents and to his party and not remain loyal only to his point of view, and worse, to his agenda. He has insulted the maltese people's understanding of representation long enough - just like those MPs who put their interests or those of their close few before him.
I for one have noted long ago who I can trust and who I cannot and come next election my vote will certainly reflect this. The Nationalist Party cannot and should not trust Dr. Debono or his like of dissenters any longer - dissent is good but needs always be discussed in its proper place - internally. I Believe the PN should have the spine to expel Dr. Debono even if that would mean an early General Election. Thank you Dr. Debono for voting alongside the likes of Debono-Grech who was Minister in the dark ages and was never called to account for his government's deeds. For Labour six of seven electoral defeats mean nothing... they remain the same. Well done to Dr. DeMarco for his clear comments and to Dr. Mifsud Bonnici for his proper behaviour and personal sacrifice.
M Sciberras
Jun 3rd 2012, 15:37
The opening paragraph could have been written by a PN activist. " A much loved PN dynasty"???? What next? A de Marco, Fenech Adami or Mifsud Bonnici royal house, passing the baton on from generation to generation, fawned over by us, the loyal subjects? A little commented part of the Wikileaks cables mentioned our PM complaining about the lack of talent in the PN parliamentary group. Apart from the Minister of Finance, I doubt if there is a single financial or economics expert in the PN parliamentary group, though you will find the place dominated by the offspring of certain 'political' families and their acolytes. And Labour are as much to blame for this state of affairs. The increased wages for MPs and ministers, opposed by Labour and now rescinded, which caused such outrage (and was so poorly handled) would have made it easier for ordinary working people to enter Parliament and serve their country. This is the reality today. A Parliament for the sons of the privileged.
Emanuel Farrugia
Jun 3rd 2012, 15:37
People who have a conservative character and who support a Conservative political party are of their nature averse and oppose most changes. History is full of stories of people who were persecuted because they tried to change the status quo. Otherwise the Whistleblower Act should have been enacted ages ago.
Joe Vassallo Ebejer
Jun 3rd 2012, 15:03
“To see the Labour Party, that is still composed of the old members of the Malta Labour Party which was responsible for the darkest pages in the history of the police corps, successfully …sad day for Maltese parliamentary democracy.”
The above statement is rather rich, coming from Mario Demarco.
Can the gentleman please explain what the PN Government did, upon winning the election in ’87, to bring those police officers to justice?
As far as I know the only person suspended from the corps was the brother on an ex TV presenter, and eventually the courts ruled in his favour. If I am not mistaken, other, very prominent police officers were actually promoted.
Why were they promoted – was this PN’s idea of justice?
If PN wants to continually revisit the past, it has to do so honestly – the past includes theirs as well.
The PN’s past is indeed glorious – let’s just mention a few highlights:
• the support for Franco’s fascist murderers in Spain;
• the instilling of fear in compulsory education, claiming that the children of the masses would lose their souls if they become literate;
• the little red crosses near people’s names, on lists held by parish priests, ensuring that those marked would be denied any chance of a civil service job;
• the tacit support for wreaking vengeance on Labour supporters even in their death, by denying them burial in consecrated ground,
• the thousands of vindictive transfers and people left to rot in Government offices and agencies, being left totally idle for years on end…
If we want to talk about today, how about:
• The use of heavy fuel oil, thus increasing the incidence of cancer in the population;
• The hidden increase in salaries to the privileged few;
• The increase in the uneven distribution of wealth where the few have become multi-millionaires and the rest are hardly making ends meet;
• The three presidential pardons to the same person – with no result to show for them;
• The same couple of dozen pro-PN apologists being nominate done each and every board of directors…
Is PN sure it wants to play this game?
Angus Black
Jun 3rd 2012, 14:27
Debono created two sides with a different opinion how the Party should deal with him. Understandably there are those who still hold a faint hope that the errant MP will change tack and allow this legislature to finish its mandate.
On the other hand there are those who would rather kick Franco's rear end now and get it over with.
Both have valid points but those who keep restraining themselves for the time being, forget that Debono is unpredictable even if, this time round, he votes with the government.
We have an MP whose mind is in a fog, at best, and still has the notion that he can continue to wag the dog interminably and without any consequences. He is wrong on two counts. 1. He cannot continue to behave as he has, much longer, and 2. The consequences are already there, haunting him and certainly he can see the end of his political career staring at his face.
The second option makes more sense and if indeed the Party is ready for an election, it should take Debono's next opportunity of embarrassing the government one more time, as good enough reason to first boot him out of the Parliamentary group and also as a member of the Nationalist Party.
This person spits at olive branches, he wants the whole tree and just for himself. Teamwork and team spirit are completely foreign to him and the only place suitable for him is the political wilderness.
victor bonello
Jun 4th 2012, 12:46
This time i fully agree to your line of reasoning. Franco has become an unbearable problem and the PN have endured him long enough - if all this was not orchestrated, as I now i feel lost trying to follow all reports.. If not mistaken, a few months back Franco was shouting for Gonzi to resign or am i wrong? was he not accusing the Prime minister of oligarchy, of incompetence, of corruption including in PBS.. my old mind is fed up with all this farce..
Mr leo attard
Jun 3rd 2012, 14:05
FRANCOPHOBIA
Victor Vella
Jun 3rd 2012, 13:29
For those who think that this debacle by Dr Debono is weakening the PN they are soooooooo wrong.
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Jun 3rd 2012, 13:26
There is only one way that the PN can deal democratically with the present economic and political instability that the Government of GonziPN created. Call a general election today before tomorrow.
If the PN will continue to avoid an early general election to the detriment of the country. There is only one conclusion to arrive to. That the Nationalist Party really turned into a severe Negative Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
C Briffa
Jun 3rd 2012, 12:36
issa jekk il-pn jitlobb vot lit tessaerati tal-pn u franco ma jgibx kwota tghid ikun lest jirrezenja????
William Caligari
Jun 3rd 2012, 13:32
Suppost kien qal li rrezenja mil-partit, ghala ma gietx accettata?
leon camilleri
Jun 3rd 2012, 13:45
xandu x jaqsam sihbi ? ... int bis serjeta ? ... Franco il gurament ma hadux lejn il partit nazzjonalista izda lejn ir repubblika ta Malta u l parlament taghha . jekk il-pn jitlob vot lit-tesserati u franco ma jgibx il kwota kull ma jghamel hu li jirrezenja mill partit kif diga qal li ghamel .
V Cassar
Jun 3rd 2012, 14:17
Debono is just a backbencher. So resign from what? the parliament? It's the Maltese citizens who elected franco debono not the PN membership board.
It's because of the fundamentally partisan bi-party campaign we are presented that people like Mr.Briffa have no idea on how democracy works.
B Attard
Jun 3rd 2012, 14:22
Nigu f'hekk nitkellmu fuq it-tesserati tal hames distrett biss. Barra minn hekk kun af li min ivvota l-Franco mhux bilfors kien tesserat mal-PN.
Wally Vella-Zarb
Jun 3rd 2012, 12:27
Dr De Marco is quoted as saying "As long as the government continues to pass important legislation, it must remain in power."
That is the whole point! What "important legislation", apart from the obvious enabling of the budget, has government passed during the last five months? By your own valid reasoning it must NOT remain in power. Go now for an October election. The longer you wait, the worse it will be - for the country as well as for your party.
Robert Lewis
Jun 3rd 2012, 11:51
Mr Arrigo don't keep mentioning punctures. A month ago I had to buy 4 new tyres for my car to take it for VRT, as otherwise it wouldn't have made it. That means that if you have faulty tyres just replace them.
Christian Sciberras
Jun 3rd 2012, 11:49
Sure, M Grima...
when the truth hurts, cope with it with ignorance!!!!
That's how our parliament has been, and will be in the near future.
M Cassar
Jun 3rd 2012, 11:28
The same as one deals with a person who is not a team player, who cites irrelevant credentials (school report), who uses derogatory terms to publicly humiliate his team or team mates, makes insinuations about meddling by others in his own team but fails to give names, requests special treatment and makes demands which other team members would not think appropriate of making. Anyone who has ever managed a team will tell you that a good team leader knows that such a member can destroy even the best of teams. So the reply is one should not touch him, even with a ten foot pole!
Of course all those cheering Dr. Debono would show their true colours if the shoe were on the other foot!
Ms G Portelli
Jun 3rd 2012, 11:15
The behavior of politicians may not always be a sublime expression but one would expect potential future leaders of the nation not to perpetuate such a parochial view as that expressed by Dr Demarco. If quoting Borg Olivier at his parochial best is in his opinion a good strategem then indeed we are hitting the dregs.If the party is to be put above the love of anything else then I am afraid Dr Demarco's own subscription to the politics of persuasion is highly suspect. How does he intend to persuade the whole nation that his primary allegiance is to the nation state of Malta?Does he imply that given the circumstances what would come first is not the nation,s interest but that of his party? I must say I am disappointed.
Joe Tabone
Jun 3rd 2012, 16:26
Ms Portelli, the PN has always respected the people's will (unlike Labour in 1981) and will continue to do so. Dr Gonzi was elected on a mandate ending in March 2013 and it is his duty to see his term through. My impression is that the Maltese electorate have recognised this and put their faith in the PN.
Re: Dr Demarco you have your opinion but his achievments are there to be seen by all.
Noel Abela
Jun 3rd 2012, 11:10
Dr Dearco please respect our inteligence, you people of GonziPn keep on bragging about what happend 25 to 30 years ago. Have you conveniently forgotten what labour party supporters had to go through during the 1960's. They were not even given a decent burial and the PN rode on that situation to gain power and your party never showed any regrets for all that. Have you forgotten the injustices that labourites had to go through and please don't try to deny this because I for one won a court case against my employer were the Goverment is a majority shareholder and all this because of my political beliefs. So please why not look ahead so that we can make this country of ours a better place for one and ALL.
carmel cassar
Jun 3rd 2012, 11:02
I have great respect for mario de marco, but I must say that I do not agree with him here. I believe that when gangrene takes hold, there is only one solution, amputation
Mr Leon Zawadzki
Jun 3rd 2012, 14:52
My respect for politicians have been deeply dented including Dr Mario de Marco. As Minister of Tourism, I sent him a letter reference a Regimental Reunion that I am organising in October, bringing together some 150 - 250 ex member of The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment including wives to celebrate there arrival in Malta, fifty years ago. Most were on parade in Floriana on your Independence Day. Still waiting for a reply since November of last year. So much for attracting tourism to Malta. As for CMB, did he ever take up the case of looking into the outcome of cases that were over turned by two corrupt judges.
Having run a PN Club, I have met a lot of descent MP's, but what they say in private is completly opposite to what they say in public.
Joseph Sammut
Jun 3rd 2012, 15:33
It's the realisation of gangrene that hurts!
GEORGE CUTAJAR
Jun 3rd 2012, 11:00
How do you deal with mavericks like Debono? Interesting question but there is to it a very simple answer - ignore and eventually banish from the party.
He has attempted to break the party for his own egoistic ends but he will not succeed. He got elected on the fifth district and betrayed his electors who made the very unwise choice of trusting him with their vote. I am convinced that had they known how low he would stoop they would not have given him a single vote. As for his claim that he was instrumental in garnering votes of disgruntled nationalists on the fifth I, for one, would be more than happy to loose those votes rather than have him in Parliament.
Indeed this Debono matter puts a huge responsibility on the PN executive to vet all prospective candidates. There is no place for publicity seeking, eccentric and maverick candidates. It is the quality that one must look at.
M Grima
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:50
Ignoring the man is the only sane thing to ensure that his ego does not engulf him. And the more that is said about him the more he moves towards the limelight, a position which he craves for. Of course its his intention to play the 'he is neither here nor there' game as the more he prolongs it the more people will talk and comment about it. The media is the man's feeding ground.
Geoffrey Farrugia
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:41
No political party can be blackmailed in this way by one indiviual, no matter the cost. PN might live a few more months in this way but the political cost of obstinacy is going to have huge long time repurcussions on the party and its members.
Call snap elections, throw Debono out of the party for good. He can be 100% right but still cant behave in this way. When part of a group you move with the group, and if you disagree leave. in the last few days Debono showed his true colours - he was ready to negotiate abstaining in the no confidence vote as long as he was given a package..which has been kept secret!
The LP should not be too happy about this situation either. We are seeing a new trend in politics where individual political party members blackmail their own party. My guess is that notwithstanding who is in power in the future, this will be a regular feature in our tiny bi-partisan political world.
Alfred Cauchi
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:34
Well I do not know why it was said a bad day for malteses democracy , I think this is bad to sat cause in my opinion this is democracy . If you do not agree just show your voice
Jonathan Camilleri
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:20
Well, Nationalists should be a bit wary of their public display of the typical vindicative culture that lies within the party. I can bring up many similar examples.
Joe Tabone
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:53
Jonathan, in our system you contest a election, the winner is given a 5 year mandate. If Dr Gonzi is the team coach, his objective is to plan a strategy, win the games with the aim of eventualy wining the league title. If sucessful he may be retained as team coach.
You must appreciate that he has the right to choose his players and any players who score 'own goals' will suffer the consequences.
The bottom line is that Dr Gonzi will face the people and respect their decision!
Joe Pavia
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:18
I believe that Dr Franco Debono should be ousted from the PN ad eternum. He can present his credentials and his school certificates elsewhere where he may succeed in acting in the same fashion. Dr Debono stamping your feed down does not get you anywhere. If the PN will not be in government be sure that you will be a nobody. Exactly what you are.
Christian Sciberras
Jun 3rd 2012, 11:53
And I presume, Joe, your egoistic bigotry makes you more than happy with the MESS the current government brought to our island?
You're the kind of person that applauds "the PN" whichever direction they go, no matter how wrong it is.
Dr Debono stood for something more than today's definition of PN, which people like you distorted egoistically.
That's the way it is and you know it. Any further talk only makes your situation worse. Dr Debono is, unfortunately, the scapegoat of your party's wrongs. In fact, I'd even say he's not fit for your little circus of lies.
Pippo De Marco
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:16
It is clear from the comments of some PN members that they have learned nothing from this. Rather than listening to what Dr Debono is saying, they are too busy massaging their bruised egos and plotting their revenge. The Old Guard are so wrapped-up in themselves that they have failed to notice that large numbers of disenchanted PN voters are looking for the party to make the sensibel changes it needs to make in order to become re-electable.
Dr de Marco appears to be positioning himself as the moderate successor to Gonzi, whose self-righteous stubborness and refusal to listen to anyone other than those who are sucking-up to him, will almost certainly drag the party to electoral defeat.
More of the same is not nearly enough.
Mr Edward Caruana Galizia
Jun 3rd 2012, 15:12
"Gonzi, whose self-righteous stubborness and refusal to listen to anyone other than those who are sucking-up to him" Unless you spend a lot of time around the PM I don't see how you could possibly come to that conclusion. Dr Gonzi is a good PM. He has kept Malta afloat while other countries are drowning in debt financial melt down which is what we need from a PM at this time.
Although I do agree that the PN need to sort out Debono once and for all and get rid of him. If that means holding an early election then so be it.
George Fenech
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:15
“To see the Labour Party, that is still composed of the old members of the Malta Labour Party which was responsible for the darkest pages in the history of the police corps,
Have you forgot the uprise in 1958 where the police were given orders to open fire on the Maltese people. Why does people go around history just to creat bad impressions about others and in the mean time try to hide their doings.................. This does not apply anymore. The Maltese are no longer the Gahan you wanted them to be!
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Jun 3rd 2012, 11:45
@ George Fenech,
Please know your history!
Don’t you know that in 1958, (i.e. 54 years ago), Malta was still a British colony and the government of the day was the British colonial government?
So, what has the PN got to do with this?
Malta achieved Independence in 1964 and since then we Maltese are the masters of our destiny!
JC.
George Fenech
Jun 3rd 2012, 12:51
@ Joseph Cauchi Senior
The argument in the topic was ' the darkest pages in police history'. I never mentioned the PN nor the PL, only Dr. De Marco and you did!!
If we are independent from 1964, why do you go to the law courts with a civil case and the Chief Justice says that although you are right nothing can be done as we are still running our laws by Colonial Mechanism?
I know my histry and its not all blue!
Pat Hobson
Jun 3rd 2012, 13:18
@Joseph Cauchi Sr. While Malta was still a colony, it had its own government. The PN was part of that same government in the opposition. So where does that leave your argument?
Joe Scerri
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:10
The only thing I can say is that the last few months have been a total waste of time , much more than they usually are anyway, as our so called Hon MP's from both sides have been bickering like a bunch of 3 year olds. In the meantime all the REAL problems large AND small have yet to be tackled.
M Sciberras
Jun 3rd 2012, 09:57
The tribalism implicit in de Marco's comments disturbs me greatly. As does the conscious attempt to establish a link that has no place in this discussion with the pre-1987 political situation. The leading lights of today's Nationalist Party are all lawyers with a solid base in the profession inherited from their families or with secure independent incomes - indispensable when Maltese MP's are so poorly paid - and the offspring of former ministers and prime ministers. Increasingly the Nationalist party IS resembling an oligarchy and a clique, with loyalty regarded more highly than talent. While I do not agree with Franco Debono's methods or approach, primarily because the valid issues he has raised are now completely lost in the controversy he himself has created - which frankly makes me question his motives - neither do I have any affinity for those whose first loyalty consistently appears be that of their party rather than Malta. As a minister serving in the name of us all, de Marco should have been far more circumspect in his words. At this point in time, most of us could not care less about his quotation from Borg Olivier that to be a true Nationalist one must love the party more than oneself. In fact I dare say most of us would find it vaguely disturbing, in this day and age, as it implies toeing the party line even if your leader is clearly off the rails, as happened with Labour under KMB.
Joe Tabone
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:15
I tend to disagree, in your assessment of Dr Gonzi, you sound like the Judge and the Jury. If there is one area where we have progressed under PN during the last 20 years is the basic democratic notion that Governments are elelcted by people (unlike PL & KMB in 1981). It would have made more sense if you mentioned the several politicians the PL had in those dark years that are now side by side with Dear Joseph. You could also ask Dear Joseph whether his motives are in collusion with those of Dr F Debono.
Dr Gonzi was elected democratically and he is duty bound to serve his term
Pippo De Marco
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:20
Absolutely right. - I hope that Drs Gonzi, de Marco and others read this.
M Sciberras
Jun 3rd 2012, 09:57
The tribalism implicit in de Marco's comments disturbs me greatly. As does the conscious attempt to establish a link that has no place in this discussion with the pre-1987 political situation. The leading lights of today's Nationalist Party are all lawyers with a solid base in the profession inherited from their families or with secure independent incomes - indispensable when Maltese MP's are so poorly paid - and the offspring of former ministers and prime ministers. Increasingly the Nationalist party IS resembling an oligarchy and a clique, with loyalty regarded more highly than talent. While I do not agree with Franco Debono's methods or approach, primarily because the valid issues he has raised are now completely lost in the controversy he himself has created - which frankly makes me question his motives - neither do I have any affinity for those whose first loyalty consistently appears be that of their party rather than Malta. As a minister serving in the name of us all, de Marco should have been far more circumspect in his words. At this point in time, most of us could not care less about his quotation from Borg Olivier that to be a true Nationalist one must love the party more than oneself. In fact I dare say most of us would find it vaguely disturbing, in this day and age, as it implies toeing the party line even if your leader is clearly off the rails, as happened with Labour under KMB.
Karl Consiglio
Jun 3rd 2012, 09:51
Fire him!
Jonathan Camilleri
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:21
You make me laugh
Alfred Falzon
Jun 3rd 2012, 16:34
@ Karl Consiglio
Hold it!
We're not in the Middle Ages!
Or in the time of the Inquisition!
Or in Mussolin's and Hitler's party!
In Soviet Russia for that matter with the Gulag Archipelago in mind!...
We're in "enlightened Malta", where the "good old days" of fire and brimstone are supposed to be over!!
At least, that's what we free Maltese are inclined to think!
Alfred A. Falzon
Alison Bezzina
Jun 3rd 2012, 09:44
Are all the Ministers living in the same fear that Carm Mifsud Bonnici claims to have been for the past four years? Are they all waking up in the morning thinking that this could be the day that the PM removes them from their office ? or was it only Carm Mifsud Bonnici who felt this? Was he paranoid? or did he feel that he had it coming ?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120602/blogs/the-penny-has-finally-dropped.422429
Jonathan Camilleri
Jun 3rd 2012, 10:21
Well, that is not Dr. Debono's fault is it?
Jay Oatmon
Jun 3rd 2012, 09:32
It seems that the politicians are angry that one of their own has been forced out.
I think the people are angry that their elected leaders fail to take proper action because the politicians prefer a quiet life!
Now they know doing nothing in the face of very obvious problems (the courts for example) is not the best option for a quiet life in parliament.
I speaks volumes that this is the first minister forced out of office in Malta for decades - and yet we have had decades of problems in several areas.
Lawrence Fenech
Jun 3rd 2012, 09:30
It's the other way round "How should the party deal with Gonzi"?
john muscat
Jun 3rd 2012, 09:13
He is a disgrace to the PN. Better to isolate him.
Please choose the reason of your report below: