Deputy leadership vote could still go either way
With minutes ticking to tonight’s Nationalist Party deputy leadership election, party insiders said there was no clear front-runner and the vote could go either way.
A total of 888 PN councillors will today be voting to choose between Finance Minister Tonio Fenech and MEP Simon Busuttil to fill the post vacated by Tonio Borg.
“It’s too close to call and we expect a second round as councillors seem to be split mid-way,” a senior party official told The Times.
The two candidates have been involved in four weeks of intense campaigning, interrupted by Dr Busuttil’s successful lobbying for Dr Borg as EU Commis-sioner, and Mr Fenech’s presentation of the Budget.
“Councillors are sending mixed messages to both camps and we would not speculate on the result,” the official said.
Both candidates yesterday evening organised their separate end-of-campaign gatherings, appealing to councillors to give them their vote.
Although both events, held at Villa Arrigo and The Palms, were well attended, campaigning will continue until the eleventh hour with every vote potentially making the difference. A number of councillors are still believed to be undecided.
Both camps yesterday said they were confident of a win.
“Our numbers show we’re on the right track,” a member of Mr Fenech’s campaigning team said.
On the other hand, one of Dr Busuttil’s helpers admitted it was a difficult contest but said the MEP’s team was confident the councillors will make the right choice in the interest of the party.
According to the PN statute, the deputy leader should be elected by two thirds of the votes cast.
None of the candidates in similar elections in the past has ever managed to get the required majority in the first round and today’s election is not expected to be an exception.
Today’s voting will be held between 10am and 9pm, with the result expected an hour later. A second round has already been slotted for tomorrow.
Councillors who spoke to The Times were very cautious with their comments.
A veteran PN stalwart from Gozo who has been a councillor since the Borg Olivier days said tonight’s voters do not necessarily reflect the rest of the electorate.
“Councillors are political animals themselves and have a mind of their own. They don’t necessarily reflect the national mood nor what ministers tell them to do,” he said.
The two contenders for the post departed from different positions.
Initially it was thought that Dr Busuttil would be uncontested, strengthening the theory that he was the automatic party choice since his appointment as the Prime Minister’s special delegate last January. But Mr Fenech then emerged as a strong contender backed by most of the Cabinet.
Whoever wins tonight’s election will serve until the next general election, which will be probably held in March.
Simon Busuttil. at his end-of-campaign gathering. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Tonio Fenech met Nationalist councillors last night. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
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47 Comments
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Mr Andrew Camilleri
Nov 30th 2012, 14:57
What a big fuss over a contest for deputy leader. At the end of the day, do we really care? Is the lection of Tonio or Simon going to reduce the deficit, bring down the price of oil or gas? Why are the Nationalist pundits blowing this beauty contest out of all proprtion? Who cares except the politically committed?
E Gatt
Nov 30th 2012, 15:13
You’re absolutely right. Nobody, except Joseph Muscat of course, can bring down the world price of oil or gas.
victor bonello
Nov 30th 2012, 13:21
why all this fuss, Simon shall win, and yes it shall be a vote of non confidence by the PN in the present GonziPN administration.
Joe Borg (Senior)
Nov 30th 2012, 12:56
A win by Simon Busuttil would mean that even within the intern of PN councillors they want change!!
E Gatt
Nov 30th 2012, 12:02
Mr Privitera is trying to win the prize of Machiavellian of the day – trying to get the delegates to vote for the person who, in his mind, has the LEAST chance of eating into MLP’s 12% lead.
Victor Vella
Nov 30th 2012, 11:59
Jahasra! Veru pajjiz tad-dojjoq u mibni fuq l-ippokretizmu. Mhux kulhadd jaf min se jtellghu tal-qalba tal-PN. Mhux lil Busuttil dak li ir-regim GonziPN ipponta l;i ghandu jkun hu. Hu biss. Ftehmna. Viva d-demokrazija u t-trasparenza.
R. Balzan
Nov 30th 2012, 11:20
Electing any of the two as Deputy leader will do very little to solve the PN's present woes. This election has to be carried out for formality's sake, but the real issues remain (a) replacing Lawrence Gonzi, (b) kicking out Austin Gatt from the Parliamentary Group, and (c) reconciling with all the rebel back-benchers. Then, maybe the disparity gap will go down from 12% to 10%.
Jesmond Abela
Nov 30th 2012, 11:00
Sur Eddy Privitera , bil-kummenti tieghek qied tikkonferma li int u PL iridu lil Tonio Fenech bhala Vici Kap...... Simon jista jkun skalda f'darkhom.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 30th 2012, 11:30
Jesmond Abela: J'Alla Simon Busuttil jirbah halli jkun SKALDA ghal ministri KOLLHA hlief wiehed, ghax KLLHA hlief Joe Cassar ibbakkjaw lil Tonio Fenech ! Ejja Simon urihom li HADD m'ghad ghandu fiducja f'GonziPN !
laurent caruana
Nov 30th 2012, 12:19
@ Eddie Privitera
l-aqwa li temmen kollhu li jghid Joseph Muscat. Ohlom!
John Scerri
Nov 30th 2012, 10:59
''Whoever wins tonight’s election will serve until the next general election, which will be probably held in March.''
I cannot see the point why there is so much fuss on this issue.
In my opinion I would leave Hon.Tonio Fenech concentrate totally on his job as Finance minister till the end of this term and place Simon Busuttil as Deputy Party Leader to help in the election campaign.
Paul Bajada
Nov 30th 2012, 10:57
this is nothing but another one man race! we are used to it now... it is just painted a bit different to make it look interesting and gain time!
Joseph Brincat
Nov 30th 2012, 10:52
i DO NOT TRUST THEM !!!
Tonio Fenech , ALL HE KNOW TO DO IS DEBIT ( 6 Billion euros debt ,)
and Simon Busuttil do things behind our backs ( ACTA )
Louis Muscat
Nov 30th 2012, 14:44
You don't need to. Nobody asked you.
Mark Muscat
Nov 30th 2012, 10:52
Tonio's track record is there for all to appreciate, he's one of Europe's best Finance Ministers, whatever PL says. Simon is charismatic, no really evident track record available. However, in this particular instant, I would prefer Simon all the way. He complements exactly Lawrence Gonzi as the latter is not very much sensitive to the man in the street but always determined to reach needed goal
Eddy Privitera
Nov 30th 2012, 11:27
Mark Muscat You admit that Lawrence Gonzi " is not very much sensitive to the man in the street ", as you said. But if GonziPN wins the election, even if Simon Busuttil happens to be the deputy-prime minister, the person that really matters is the prime minister, not the deputy-prime minister ! Can you remember when Dr-Tonio Borg was deputy to Gonzi ? Did he make any difference ! Of course not !
A. Muscat
Nov 30th 2012, 10:51
A.Muscat
@ Eddy Privitera Sorry but you are day dreamer.allways have some negatives to say.
R. Borg
Nov 30th 2012, 10:41
Well, it is ovious that both of them are going to be deputy leaders.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 30th 2012, 11:14
Surely, one the statute speaks only of one deputy leader, to have two deputy-leaders the statute has to be amended. And then a fresh application for a second deputy-leader be issued, since there may be others interested.
Joseph V Savona
Nov 30th 2012, 10:37
I have said it before and I will say it again...why don't we have two deputy leaders, and don't waste time having an election.
Joseph Borg
Nov 30th 2012, 10:37
Fl-opinjoni tieghi jekk il PN irid jigbor giehu lura ghandhom jelleggu lill Simon. U wara anke ghal Kap. Bniedem edukat ghal lahhar, jismha lill kullhadd u l-hadd ma jara dubbien. Anke il fatt li ghadu zghir maz zmien jakkwista esperjenza kbira ghat tmexxija tal pajjiz.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 30th 2012, 10:35
I also believe that a win for Simon Busuttil could easily be interpreted as a vote of no confidence in nearly ALL GonziPN ministers, since they are backing Tonio Fenech !
John Scerri
Nov 30th 2012, 11:03
Dear Eddy it's so amazing how you always manage to find the negative point in everything .
I hope you will keep this attitude also when Labour will be in power .
In that way we will know what Labour is doing wrong dear Eddy.
J.C. Borg
Nov 30th 2012, 11:20
Sur Privitera, tidher li taf hafna fuq il-PN, x'kien ma kkontestajtx inti wkoll??
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Nov 30th 2012, 10:24
Both Simon and Tonio are very valid contestants, but the crucial question should be, who is the candidate that can
1) Unite the PN
2) Bring back disgruntled Nationalists
3) Appeal to the Floaters
4) Appeal to disgruntled Labourites and
5) Be the Catalyst for a PN election victory?
JC.
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 30th 2012, 10:53
Ah diplomatically elbowing Tonio out. Nicely put!
Giovann Attard
Nov 30th 2012, 11:34
None of them Mr. Cauchi because the general public is really fed up of Gonzi PN and his restricted clique! The majority of Maltese and Gozitan people need a change in direction and this change can only be guaranteed if we elect Dr. Joseph Muscat and a Labour Government! Gonzi PN is stuck to the past - Labour has a vision for our future!
Carmel Serracino-inglott
Nov 30th 2012, 18:04
Giovann.
The future of the mirror of the past. Beware
Eddy Privitera
Nov 30th 2012, 10:17
Imagine having Simon Busuttil as deputy prime minister with nearly ALL ministers having preferred Tonio Fenech, what harmony will there be in the cabinet !
Joseph Fenech
Nov 30th 2012, 11:05
Like the harmony there was in the Labour cabinet when Mintoff chose KMB to be his designate dear Eddy
Giovann Attard
Nov 30th 2012, 11:35
Well said Eddie! There seem to be no rest for Gonzi PN - all Malta will have a rest when the Nationalist Party is returned to the opposition benches!
Brian Gatt
Nov 30th 2012, 09:56
Tigrija bejn il-hbieb qalu...UZGUUUUUUUURRRRR hekk nibqu ta!!! arana emminikom. Now wonder Gonzi told the US ambassador that he hasnt good enough material to even form a Cabinet. Now he has 2 proven underachievers running for deputy.....u iva xi hadd minnom il-lejla ha jikkonsla li alinqas rebah tigrija bejn il-hbieb
MT Caruana
Nov 30th 2012, 11:05
@Brian Gatt,
lol. imma dejjem ahjar milli tellaq wahdek ghal hatra ta' leader u wara toqod tifrah li gejt l-ewwel, lele il PN vera qed jaghmel progress !!!!
twanny borg
Nov 30th 2012, 09:52
ghalkemm tonio fenech politiku validu nahseb li simon aktar ikun ta' gid f'dawn ic-cirkostanzi li qieghed il-partit. demm gdid fit-tmexxija taghmel gid qabel l-elezzjoni. tonio kellu f'jask fl-arms u anki fil-budget qed jinghad li nies li jaqbdu ftit se jibdew ihalsu l-income tax waqt li min jaqbad hafna se jifranka hafna. din tista' tkun ta' porvli ghal pl kontra l-fenech u l-pn waqt l-elezzjoni.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 30th 2012, 09:52
In my opinion, if Simon Busuttil wins the vote this would be interpreted as a sign of no confidence in Tonio Fenech and GonziPN especially after just 2 days from presenting the budget !
twanny borg
Nov 30th 2012, 10:16
@eddie priviteri- jidher li ma tixtieqx li simon isir id-deputat kap u futur kap tal-pn. Hekk tixtiequ intom tal-pl tafu li simon l-aqwa. B'kull rispett ghal tonio fenech. Il-budget m'ghandux x'jaqsam wara kollox intom stess qed tikkritikaw lil simon ghax kien involut ukoll fit-tfassil tal-politika tal-pn. Zelqa ohra minn tieghek eddie imissek hrigt tfahhar lil simon jekk bhal pl ma tixtiequx.
Joseph V Savona
Nov 30th 2012, 10:31
Sur Privitera, how do you interpret the fact that if the PL wins the next election they will retain the budget as presented by Tonio Fenech on Wednesday.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 30th 2012, 11:10
Joseph Savona. This is the only possibility which makes sense once Dr. Gonzi has insisted on presenting a budget which HE KNEW would not pass ! As otherwise , if the PL wins the election and would want to formulate a different budget, which would have to be vetted by the EU ( once Malta is NO LONGER AN INDEPENDENT & SOVEREIGN COUNTRY), it will take months, which we can ill-afford !
Eddy Privitera
Nov 30th 2012, 11:20
Twanny Borg: J'alla Simon Busuttil isir deputy-leader, Din tkun l-isbah daqqa ghal tonio Fenech u ghal Gonzi PN li qed jibbakkja lil Tonio Fenech permezz tal-ministri KOLLHA hlief ghal wiehed, Joe Cassar !
A. MICALLEF
Nov 30th 2012, 09:42
Tonio Fenech deputy leader = a WIN for Partit Laburista = A guaranteed win for Partit Laburista
in the next general elections.
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 30th 2012, 09:41
''They don’t necessarily reflect the national mood nor what ministers tell them to do,” he said.''
So what exactly motivates them??
john muscat
Nov 30th 2012, 09:37
Tonio Fenech is the right choice with vast parliament experience.
jason cassar
Nov 30th 2012, 10:30
vast ????? can u explain please !
Gordon Swain
Nov 30th 2012, 09:34
Ghal gid komuni ta Malta nahseb li iktar jaqbel li jkun Simon, Mhux ghax Tonio hazin imma Simon issa ghandu esperjenza hafna ikbar fix-xenarju ewropej. apparti min hekk lil Simon ihobbu kulhadd (poplu malti maghqud). good luck to both of you
Anthony Falzon
Nov 30th 2012, 09:33
Simon is more down to earth and close to the people, for the sake of the P.N. it has to be Simon, with all respect to Tonio.
Victor Laiviera
Nov 30th 2012, 09:20
The Contest That Never Was.
Simon Busuttil has admitted, on TV, that he wrote the 2008 PN Manifesto, including all the broken promises. He is as much pat of the ruling clique as Tonio Fenech is.
This is just a facade, to give the illusion of a new beginning.
laurent caruana
Nov 30th 2012, 12:17
U int temmen li Joseph Muscat tieghek ha jrahhas il-kontijiet minghajr ma jimponi taxxi godda? Ohlom siehbi ohlom
Please choose the reason of your report below: