Debono: Gonzi is ‘Malta’s Hitler’
Nationalist MP Franco Debono yesterday called Lawrence Gonzi “Malta’s Hitler”, justifying his outlandish claim by saying that the Prime Minister caused harm to him and the country.
Dr Debono later edited his blog post to remove the claim from the title, even though he reiterated the remarks in the comments board.
Asked by readers how he could make the comparison, Dr Debono said: “I have tasted his methods. Maybe you are lucky, since you support him he doesn’t unleash his dogs to exterminate you and all you have built in a lifetime.”
Asked to react to Dr Debono’s statement, a spokesman to the Prime Minister said: “The Prime Minister has already stated that all Members of Parliament must shoulder responsibility for their words and actions.
“The Prime Minister is proud of what we have achieved together as a nation during the past five years and will ultimately submit his track record to the general public,” the Prime Minister’s spokesman added.
According to case law, comparing someone to the Austrian-born German dictator Adolf Hitler, responsible for Nazism and the Holocaust, is libellous.
In 2003, the editor of PN newspaper In-Nazzjon was fined for publishing a cartoon depicting then Labour leader Alfred Sant as Hitler.
53 Comments
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Alfred Curmi
Oct 13th 2012, 20:20
Honourable Franco, be frank and say 'mia culpa, mia massima culpa' and do not go to parliament any more, just resign on the telephone.
You would sav e so much heartache to your family and also most important to the people who trusted you.
You c an do it tonight and I honestly wish a good night.
Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Oct 13th 2012, 19:03
Lanqas huwa sewwa li jista jkun hawn minn qed jinqeda bl-imġiba ta' Dr Fronco Debono!
Ma naħsibx li b'dan qed jintwera rispett kif jixraq li jintwera lejn il-persuna umana ta' L-Onor Dr Franco Debono!
Dr Debono ħu ħsieb li ma tinkwetax lill-ġenituri u l-familjari tiegħek, l-ewwel ħaġa li tried iżżom f'moħħok, qabel kull ħaġa oħra li tista tagħmel!
David J Cassar
Oct 13th 2012, 17:44
Napoleon syndrome at it's best........come on in the ring...who wants a fight? I just love to be in the limelight. As the saying goes "all sound and fury signifying nothing".
P Bonnici
Oct 13th 2012, 17:28
Dr Debono needs to brush up his history lessons, it looks like he did not get A in history after all. He should learn about the atrocities committed by Hitler; what Dr Debono stated demeans the victims of Hitler.
Joseph Camilleri
Oct 13th 2012, 17:15
If you are in Germany dear Franco, for comparing Malta's Prime Minister with Adolf Hitler, at this time of reading these blogs, you would do so from jail!!
I pity those who voted for you... You don't deserve to be in Parlament, MISSEK TISTHI!!
Joe Tabone
Oct 13th 2012, 17:43
Don't worry Joe, he'll be out in a few weeks!
David J Cassar
Oct 13th 2012, 17:54
Prosit!
victor caruana
Oct 13th 2012, 17:06
Quote: 'The Prime Minister is proud of what we have achieved together.' We achieved nothing together. He only worked with PN harsh activists. What they achieved and what they failed to achieve, and at what cost, is their reposibility. And please leave me out of the equation.....toqghodx tilghaba tad-dejjaq...
Peter Seebohm
Oct 13th 2012, 16:58
Dear Dr. !!!! Debono
did you miss some hours in history?
btw: I am very aware of the GERMAN history and also what happened with Malta vs Germany/Italy. I can´t undo what happened before my birth, believe me, I wish I could do.
Efrem Gatt
Oct 13th 2012, 16:30
Ghaziz Franco, Lanqas li kieku kellek l-icken ragun f'dak kollu li qed tghid u taghmel. Zgur li dan mhux mod ta' gentlom u ta' bniedem adult u matur. Ghad jasal zmien fil-hajja tieghek li dan kollu tirrealizzah, imma f'dak il-punt ikun tard wisq, ghax kellek karriera u futur u ghazilt li tahraqhom. Irrevedi kliemek u ghemilek issa waqt li ghadu l-waqt. L-umilta' qatt ikkunsidrajtha?
Silvan Said
Oct 13th 2012, 15:08
The PN should move a motion in parliament censuring Dr Debono with a vote of no confidence for such libelous and puerile remarks in respect of a democratically elected prime minister. Let us then see how the opposition will vote and whether they support such irresponsibility and hate writing from members of parliament.
Alfred Grech
Oct 13th 2012, 16:02
Only ministers can be given a vote of no confidence. While Gonzi is not the best PM we ever had, to call him a Hitler is a gross mistake. Franco needs to bite his tongue.
Victor Vella
Oct 13th 2012, 14:55
“The Prime Minister has already stated that all Members of Parliament must shoulder responsibility for their words and actions. Neither ministers` of Gonzi`s clan nor Gonzi himself are responsible to anybody but themselves to fill up their pockets by people`s monies from behind their backs.
Pippo De Marco
Oct 13th 2012, 14:48
Franco.
Keep your powder dry. You don't need to resort to name-calling ... besides, it is counter-productive to your cause.
You have your nemesis on the back foot so there's no need to antagonise him. Just keep him off-balance until he stands down in favour of Simon Busitil, or he succumbs to the electoral process. Either way, he is history, and not before time.
Andy Farrugia
Oct 13th 2012, 18:55
Thus spake the oracle! hahaha!
Aaron Vella
Oct 13th 2012, 14:15
Franco, uri ftit rispett, jekk mhux ghal Malta jew ghal Dr. Gonzi, ghal inqas ghal vittmi li tilfu hajjithom minhabba Hitler. Vera missejt il-qiegh u wasalt fi stat li anka min juzak qieghed tittimbrah. Kun af, li "Hitler ta' Malta" ghandu is-sapport tal-poplu li tellghu warajh, int mil-banda l-ohra lanqas is-sapport ta' min tak dak is-siggu ma fadallek. Wara l-elezzjoni anka il-laburisti jinsewk.
vincent a galea
Oct 13th 2012, 14:13
"..........exterminate you and all you have built in a lifetime.”
Dear Hon Franco Debono, have you ever considered or even thought, that it might have been you yourself who has demolished what you 'have built in a lifetime'!!
STOP AND PONDER !!!!!!!
carmen delia
Oct 13th 2012, 14:00
So it has come to this name calling yes Franco because you are a loser all round
K. Vella
Oct 13th 2012, 13:43
What a shameful comment.....
Franco pls. cross the room, take full responsability of all this and let your name be in the HALL OF SHAME...
Pls. do not call yourself a Nationalist....you are Labour best Asset and you fit Labour profile, the way you act, speak and reason.
James Ellul
Oct 13th 2012, 13:26
Debono is really hanging by a thread!!!
so far he has only been firing shots at his leg but this time he fired at his head!!!!
his political career is surely over. Rest in peace ...you will be missed ...by a few!!!!
John Borg (mlh)
Oct 13th 2012, 13:01
Franco, you are becoming a case of pity if not anything else. You are calling the Prime Minister Hitler, yet we can all see your nastiness clearly now. Do you think Hitler would have tolerated your now more than pathetic tantrums? You have outraged half of Malta, whilst the other half are laughing at you. Can't you see this Franco? Not long to go now though and it's game over and you history.
mike fenech
Oct 13th 2012, 12:51
I agree 100% that NO one should be call or compared to Hitler or any other monster like him, let alone the Prime Minister. But as I recall and the above article indicates, when the PN media published a cartoon of Dr. Alferd Sant as Hitler in 2003 GonziPN and the PN party did not say one word.
Lino Apap
Oct 13th 2012, 12:04
What mark did Franco get on his report for History? I bet it was an F! Franco, if Gonzi was Malta's Hitler, you'd be pushing up the daisies or swimming with the fishes by now my friend - LOL
Roberto Buontempo
Oct 13th 2012, 12:02
Franco......have a break......a long one at that!
Ray Galea
Oct 13th 2012, 11:58
Without going into the merits of Franco's silly comparison, the question I ask is why is it always the mention of Hitler that is considered libellous and not say Pol Pot, Stalin, Mao Tse-Tung or Caligula ?
Mark Anthony Fenech
Oct 13th 2012, 12:21
Good point although I think Hitler has a greater resonance than Caligula or Pol Pot for instance.
Matthew Grima
Oct 13th 2012, 12:31
Might have something to do with the Holocaust.
John Portelli
Oct 13th 2012, 13:56
that's a very good question Ray,good on ya mate.
David Buttigieg
Oct 13th 2012, 14:02
Who said it isn't?
Charles Massa
Oct 13th 2012, 11:52
Insew li anki lil Dr Alfred Sant qalulu l istess u dak in nhar hadd MAhareg xi kundanna
Alfred Vassallo
Oct 13th 2012, 12:21
Precizament! Ghalhekk x'kultant huwa tajjeb li jaghdu mil l-istess ''grinding mill'' halli ikunu jafu x'tfisser!!
Il hasra hi li certu nies qatt ma jitaghlmu!
W Azzopardi
Oct 13th 2012, 11:48
Franco, there are those who are against you and there are those who use you, but you are alone.
Maria Camilleri
Oct 13th 2012, 11:47
Franco, keku kien Hitler kont issibu postok fil-parlament.Veru ma tafx x'int tghid u wasalt fi stat tal-biki. Ta' min jithassrek Franco u jitlob ghalik biex il-Mulej idawwallek mohhok. Mela x'kont tghid kieku fis-sebghinijiet u tmeninijiet gew poggewlek xi bomba wara l-bieb jew sparawlek ghad-dar? Ma' min kont tqabblu?
Edgar S. Galea
Oct 13th 2012, 11:45
Franco Debono's ability rose to his head. He should now call it a day and resign. The members of his constituency did not elect him in Parliament, on the PN's card, to act in the way that he is acting. Now he has gone too far: every one is wrong except him.
J Martinelli
Oct 13th 2012, 13:44
On a mission to destroy others for self advancement is no 'ability'.
It is a wicked form of narcissism often displayed by dictators such as Hitler and Gaddafi.
It is not a compliment, it is a disgusting condition which is hard to cure.
QED
David Bezzina
Oct 13th 2012, 11:43
The comparison is way out of line.
However,the PM knows all too well that he is running a minority government yet he remains attached to his seat.
It is about time for the PM to call it a day.That is the only reasonable decision he has to take.
Lino Maniscalco
Oct 13th 2012, 11:39
Franco it would be better for you to live and let live. Your problems are personal so deal with them personal, it will be better for you. In the beginning people supported you, not any more. Sorry.
Mark Anthony Fenech
Oct 13th 2012, 11:38
He's crossed the line now.
J Busuttil
Oct 13th 2012, 11:19
Nothing to add. Franco wasal fis- stat tal-biki and I pity him as a human being.
Mr Joe Micallef
Oct 13th 2012, 11:15
Empty barrels make the most sound!
Debono , it fits you like a glove.
E. Azzopardi
Oct 13th 2012, 11:14
And I keep on stating this:
Dear Citizens here is "The new way of doing politics".
Is this what was meant by new politics? We are now really scrapping the bottom. In the next few weeks or months we shall scrap so much that we shall tear the bottom apart. Viva Malta!!
Joe Tabone
Oct 13th 2012, 11:12
If Dr F Debono is comparing the PM to Hitler were does that leave him?!?
John Mifsud
Oct 13th 2012, 11:09
First and foremost I am totally against these name-callings which are indeed very disrespectful.
The prime minister should, and have the power to stop all this bickerings which are very politically unhealthy to the nation.
We are still in time for a November or early December general election. This charade and farce has been going on for far too long. Stop this cat & mouse game immediately!!
Claudio Cilia
Oct 13th 2012, 11:09
Dejjem b'xi haga Franco!.. Listen, we don't care about your personal opinions.. give Malta a break! After all all this nonsense is not gonna serve you any good.
Steve M. Engerer
Oct 13th 2012, 10:42
Onor Dr. Debono.. shame on you..
not even Form 2 students use that language let alone an MP, not to mention that the MP in question was elected on the PN ticket.
You are proofing everyone what a wise decision the PM took by not giving you any posts....
Joseph E Briffa
Oct 13th 2012, 10:26
Debono should have enough good sense to realise that if Gonzi were Hitler, he (Debono) would be rotting in a concentration camp by now. And this is rich, coming from a Parliamentary Assistant to the PM.
Alex Falzon
Oct 13th 2012, 10:25
This is not fair on politicians from both sides to call names and compare with to such bad history.
Charles Cremona
Oct 13th 2012, 10:18
Debono has lost the plot and is resorting to insults , he made his point and should now do the right thing and resign as the majority of people who might have at first sympathised with him have now grown tired of his methods which are bringing this country and its parliament into disripute.
Tonio Bone
Oct 13th 2012, 10:07
This is not funny anymore. Politics aside (if it is at all possible), the man seems to be shooting broadsides in a free for all competition. As I always wrote on here, 'the man is objectively right, the method is horribly wrong!' At least the man as a blossoming carrier in criminal law and therefore we will not be seeing him queuing up at the ETC anytime soon.
John Scerri
Oct 13th 2012, 09:53
With these statements Dr.Debono has arrived at a point of ridicule and lost 100% any form of credibility.
The only way is to ignore anything he says from now on .
Pity such an intelligent person would go to such extremes because of a personal grudge against another person .
Very sad . tal-misthija .
Pierre Vassallo
Oct 13th 2012, 09:45
Franco Debono has hit rock bottom. He who preached against bloggers' spreading hatred has become worse than all of them put together.
Jean Paul Bugeja
Oct 13th 2012, 09:29
Hmm Godwin's law anyone??
Joseph M Scicluna
Oct 13th 2012, 09:26
Dr Franco Debono, don't you think that you are carrying it too far now? You have some good points as regards
the PN administration but washing the linen in public will also expose your blemishes.
Please choose the reason of your report below: