EFA: Government should seek to continue till the end of its term

Former President Eddie Fenech Adami said today that the government has a duty in the national interest to try to take this legislature to the end of its term.

Speaking in a TVAM interview, Dr Fenech Adami stressed however that the government should stay on the straight road, without compromise.

Dr Fenech Adami said values remained essential in politics, as in everything else in life.

He said that as soon as the motion against Richard Cachia Caruana was passed in parliament, he sent an SMS to Mr Cachia Caruana expressing his solidarity.

"One may disagree with Richard Cachia Caruana on a thousand things, but he is a very capable man, intelligent and always loyal," Dr Fenech Adami said.

"When I was prime minister, I was the prime minister and when I disagreed  with him I said so. Sometimes I did not take his advice, sometimes he persuaded me, but certainly he did not deserve to end up in this way - with regard to his post as permanent representative to the EU".

Questioned about how Jeffrey Pollicino Orlando had accused Mr Cachia Caruana of 'manoeuvring' Dr Fenech Adami said one had to define manoeuvres. To express an opinion was not manoeuvring. To say that one was manoeuvred implied that whoever was actually manoeuvred had done wrong. Mr Cachia Caruana had ideas and it was up to whoever was given that advice to accept it or not.

DISAGREEMENT WITHIN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

Dr Fenech Adami said discipline within parliamentary groups was essential and one could not have a situation where members did not toe the line, except on serious matters of principle. Members of the parliamentary group should toe the party line on matters of policy.

This was about seriousness. Discipline was about planning and heading in a direction. One could not have everyone going in different directions but all had to follow the same direction and decision, often taken in a collective manner. 

The PN, he said, knew where it was heading. There was nothing wrong in having criticism, but there were limits to criticism. One could not miss the wood for the trees. 

Dr Fenech Adami said he did not wish to get involved into whether dissenting MPs should be dismissed from their party.

He said however, in reply to other questions, that it was the government's duty to govern to the end of the legislature in the national interest. One therefore expected everyone to toe the line.