Busuttil is to replace Gonzi on 9th district
Simon Busuttil was voted as MEP of the Year in the health sector last Tuesday.
The Nationalist Party will field Simon Busuttil on the ninth district in the coming general election, replacing party leader Lawrence Gonzi who contested the politically-delicate district in 2008.
Party sources told The Sunday Times that apart from the 11th district, comprising Mosta, Balzan and Attard, the popular MEP will also be contesting the district comprising Swieqi, Madliena, San Ġwann and Msida – all areas considered to be Nationalist leaning but with a high percentage of disgruntled voters.
It is not yet known which additional district Dr Gonzi will contest, apart from Cottonera.
“Everyone knows Dr Busuttil’s popularity and the party decided to field him in a district which might prove to be crucial for the PN to win the next general election,” PN sources said.
Internal polls indicate that one of the main problems the party is facing is getting core voters to go to the polls. A new face with potential might be more appealing to voters in these areas, the sources said.
When contacted, Dr Busuttil said he did not wish to comment at this stage and will make an announcement at the opportune time.
Speculation was rife recently as to where the sitting Nationalist MEP, who in the 2009 European election polled a record 70,000 first-preference votes, was going to contest.
Dr Busuttil announced he would stand in the coming election in an interview with The Sunday Times two weeks ago.
The 43-year-old lawyer, who last week was voted as MEP of the Year in the health sector following a secret ballot among MEPs in Brussels, will have to relinquish his seat in the European Parliament if elected.
The other Nationalist MEP, David Casa, will also be contesting the general election on the fifth district, which in 2008 elected Franco Debono and Ninu Zammit. Dr Debono has been barred from contesting by the PN executive while Mr Zammit – a seasoned politician who occupied also various ministerial posts – will be retiring from politics.
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Tony Camilleri
Sep 30th 2012, 21:56
Laying the foundations to take over from Gonzipn.
Charles Massa
Sep 30th 2012, 20:01
Jekk ikollu success daqs kemm kellu fl immigrazzjoni irregolari, alllura mohna mistrih li tah Dr Busuttil jekk ikun prim ministru futur Malta ikollha bzonn bail out mil Europa. Dan l istess bniedem li qal li jekk nidhlu fl Europa jigi l miljuni, u minn flok miljuni il poplu Malti kellu jaghmel tajjeb ghal pajjizi falluti tal Europa
Ronnie Callus
Sep 30th 2012, 19:18
May be that Dr.Simon Busuttil is going to replace the slow puncture tyre. Good luck - Simon.
GL Calleja
Sep 30th 2012, 16:23
Wow I thought for a minute that Dr Simon Busuttil is going to replace Lawrence Gonzi, but alas it was only just about running in his old district. One can dream, can't they? This is smoothing the way for Dr Simon Busuttil to take over the helm of the PN and deservedly so. Good luck to Simon Busuttil and good luck to the cities districts of Mosta, Balzan and Attard and Swieqi, Madliena, San Ġwann and Msida. Vote yes or no, but vote.
Tony Ellul
Sep 30th 2012, 15:04
Great news not only for the party but for Malta as a whole. This is a guy who truly delivers. He also has the knowledge and knowhow to lead through dialogue and persuasion as against confrontation. This is exactly what the island needs. Good luck Simon.
Jan Chircop
Sep 30th 2012, 14:43
Is this the chap who campaigned in favour of the europe that promised us such a prosperous future? Aqqas jisthi juri wiccu
Fran Abela
Sep 30th 2012, 15:16
Are you unemployed and dying of hunger or in the poverty line ? Malta is much better off now but certainly I would not call it prosperous, however, we could be much worse off than we are now. You are no doubt aware of what is happening in some countries in Europe - they are certainly not prosperous.
A Camilleri
Sep 30th 2012, 17:36
Jan,
It's the same chap who was arguing against those saying that Malta will be invaded by the Sicilians, that Malta will only receive Lm1.5m. Now even Labour is in favour of the EU. Ask Joseph Cuschieri, or the LP leader. So who was right and who was wrong? U min imissu jisthi juri wiccu allura?
Jan Chircop
Sep 30th 2012, 20:01
Fran, thats my point... Everyone in eu is in the same situation, thank you
A Camilleri, better brush up on current affairs as the current UK PM is contemplating calling a referendum to get out of the EU... Who was right? Who was wrong?
James Dimech
Sep 30th 2012, 13:32
@charles vella
Great to know that one of your biggest concerns which will not have you vote PN is foreign students having sex on your doorstep. In the light of the protests going on on Madrid and Athens I can understand the gravity of your situation.
stephen koludrovic
Sep 30th 2012, 13:22
Dear Gonzi, this is a bad chess move.
Karl Abela
Sep 30th 2012, 13:03
Many desperate comments are showing signs of nervousness from the Labour camp which indicates that Simon Busuttil will be a key asset for PN victory. Infact Labour took David Casa's election bid with a pinch of salt and wisely chose to attack Simon.
Good luck Simon. You are a very hard worker and you deserve success.
Nazzareno Cortis
Sep 30th 2012, 15:58
Karl-----last election the PN used Pulicino Orlando-----this time the game is to use Simon!!!!
Every one knows what happened during these last 4 years----and I am sure ---no matter how hard the PN tries----the PN (Simon or no Simon)----is destined to a great loss!!!!
The people has spoken----enough is enough!!!!
Victor Vella
Sep 30th 2012, 12:46
Addio Ewropa. Addio l-interess. Addio il-voti li gew mcahhda. Quo Vadis GonziPN. Fl-abbissi.
martin said
Sep 30th 2012, 11:27
Just to let ALL know I tried 2 e mail adresses and none works.
Worse candidate on the 9th district than his predeccessor"""""""""""""""""""""
Charles Vella
Sep 30th 2012, 11:04
I am from Swieqi... a town left with problems caused by foriegn students having sex on the door step of my house, littering, causing alot of noise etc! Apart from that, a town with it's roads left forgotten, with roads such as Triq it Tiben, Triq il Keffa and Triq il Qasam are in utter dismay! Those who have to drive their new cars on these roads cry every day with the damage these roads are causign etc!
Simon, I do wish you luck, however i'll be staying home... becuase if I vote PN (like I did in the last election, and the one before) and if I stay home... nothing will change. So, best stay home, or simply be abroad on the date of the election.
And an other thing, i stayed home in the local council elections, is it worth even the slightest bother to vote for sleeping people?! Our council is sleeping... zzzZZzzzZZZZzzzZZzzzz - when they decide to wake up, and do these roads, and at least start to show interest to solve the problems we are facing every spring and summer with these pesky students I, together with other family members just MIGHT consider voting PN again!
Kevin Sciberras
Sep 30th 2012, 11:44
For a minute there I thought you were describing Sliema!
Mr Martin Vella
Sep 30th 2012, 11:50
"I won't be voting PN this time because too many students are having sex". Good one Mr Vella. Cut off your nose to spite your face.
Frank Fenech
Sep 30th 2012, 14:44
I could not agree more about the Swieqi local council, I was one who thought that by voting for some new faces in, things might improve, but I was very mistaken unfortunately.
Fran Abela
Sep 30th 2012, 15:18
If you stay at home you will be giving your vote to the PL. If this is what you want you have every right to do so but be brave enough and vote PL and not take the coward's way out. If the students are your only issue, although I do sympathise with you, surely it is not enough a reason not to vote PN.
Alfred J. McEwen
Sep 30th 2012, 15:34
Alfred J. McEwen
@ Mr. Martin Vella
Actually, if it was`nt so hilarious it`s really another plausible excuse for not voting for GonziPN.
Charles Cremona
Sep 30th 2012, 10:52
This yes man is getting ready to take over when Gonzi goes after the election. He is better of in Brussels considering he loves europe so much, he will do less damage there.
Karl Consiglio
Sep 30th 2012, 10:49
Ok, tajjeb
V. Cauchi
Sep 30th 2012, 09:53
As an 11th district Catholic voter I would like Dr Busuttil to state where he stands on gay unions and other moral bordering issues prompted for legislation by the European Union? I am only asking this because Dr Busuttil spoke publicly about gay unions a few months back and I, as most Catholic voters, would like to discern my voting choices with regard to moral issues.
Mr Duncan Scerri
Sep 30th 2012, 11:40
Probably sides with the "do unto others" brigade. How about you?
Pippo De Marco
Sep 30th 2012, 14:12
'As an 11th DISTRICT Catholic voter... '
On first reading I thought you had written 11th CENTURY Catholic voter.
Victor Vella
Sep 30th 2012, 15:41
11th district Catholic voter-the joke of the year. How can The PN ever be catholic when the leader of the oligarchy or regime Gonzi was against divorce because it was against the values of the Catholic church. This is another manifestation that GonziPN oligarchy are trying to diverge the attention of the divided party that GonziPN holds.
Mr M Spiteri
Sep 30th 2012, 09:26
His is popular among staunch nationalists as for the others he is another deceiver like his leader. After all he is part of the Gonzi team that has deceived the Maltese through promises time after time.
Fran Abela
Sep 30th 2012, 15:20
Mr. Spiteri - what politician has not deceived the Maltese electorate at some time or other. When I say that politicians did not keep their promises, I would have examined thoroughly the reason why they did not do so, sometimes in life there are reasons why a person cannot keep a promise. I am sure you have been through this at some time in your life.
Please choose the reason of your report below: