There is no rift between the Cabinet and the Nationalist Party’s newly elected deputy leader Simon Busuttil, according to ministers Mario de Marco and Chris Said.
Endorsing or supporting somebody does not mean you are against the other candidate
The two ministers told The Sunday Times they could not attend Friday night’s election because of other official engagements.
Dr de Marco and Dr Said both endorsed Dr Busuttil’s rival, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, together with most of the other Cabinet members.
Other supporters of Mr Fenech not present at the PN headquarters on Friday – including ministers Austin Gatt, Dolores Cristina and Jason Azzopardi – could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Only two high profile supporters of Mr Fenech attended the ceremony: parliamentary secretary Clyde Puli and MP Beppe Fenech Adami.
Dr de Marco told The Sunday Times he was hosting a reception for the nominees of the European Film Awards at the Phoenicia Hotel on Friday night.
In fact, he was filling in for Mr Fenech, whose ministerial portfolio includes the film industry.
“I cannot be in two places at the same time. But I called Simon Busuttil first thing this morning to wish him the very best and give him my full support,” Dr de Marco said, adding that it was “totally wrong” to think there was a rift between the Cabinet and Dr Busuttil.
“Endorsing or supporting somebody does not mean you are against the other candidate. Since Tonio Fenech is a colleague, he was a natural choice for most of us in Cabinet.
“But as I said before, both candidates have excellent qualities and either would have been a good choice,” he said, adding that he looked forward to working with Dr Busuttil. He has my full support and loyalty.”
Dr Said could not attend the election at PN headquarters because he was taking part in a TV programme on Labour’s One TV.
“Otherwise I would have been there but unfortunately I don’t yet have the gift of being in two places at the same time. If I did, I would keep part of me in Gozo and the other part in Malta,” the Gozitan minister joked. He said the election showed the party was united and full of capable people willing to contribute. The councillors’ choice was extremely clear so the party could now focus its energy on working towards the next general election and beyond.
“There is absolutely no rift,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Dr Fenech Adami, who spoke to The Sunday Times at the PN headquarters, said he had full faith that Dr Busuttil would do an excellent job as deputy leader.
Although he endorsed Mr Fenech, Dr Fenech Adami said the election was between two very competent candidates.
“I was simply asked by Mr Fenech to nominate him so I did. Dr Busuttil did not ask me to nominate him because at the time there was still a rumour that I would want to contest. During this election I attended and participated in meetings held by both candidates.”