Labour can register its lack of confidence in the Government by voting to reduce ministers’ salaries instead of voting against the Budget, according to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
Speaking in Żebbuġ yesterday, Dr Gonzi proposed two options for the Opposition to save the Budget: either through a vote of confidence after the Budget or by voting against ministers.
Traditionally, the Opposition used the Budget to vote to reduce the salary of each minister by Lm1 (€2.33), he said.
“If, instead of this, you want to reduce it by €5 or even remove the salaries altogether, you can do that.... But don’t vote against families,” Dr Gonzi said, addressing the Opposition.
He said this Budget was the only one in history which had the Opposition’s agreement, so there was no reason for it not to pass.
Reacting in a press statement, Labour said Dr Gonzi gave himself and his ministers an underhanded increase of €500 per week and now wanted this pay to be reduced by €5 in a year.
“GonziPN is simply not credible,” Labour said, adding that Dr Gonzi was to blame for the current situation, keeping the country in uncertainty due to his lack of leadership.
Fielding questions from journalist Norman Vella, Dr Gonzi rubbished suggestions that he was irresponsible to have presented a Budget without enjoying a parliamentary majority.
“I have put all my cards on the table. Who is the irresponsible one here? The Opposition leader who keeps promising everything to everyone without saying how he will finance these proposals.”
Dr Gonzi said the past five years of achievements had vindicated his strategy of putting up with all those who were hell-bent on causing trouble.
He admitted the PN had issued anonymous leaflets to civil service employees warning them Labour would transfer them after the election. He said the PN had to remind people what Labour meant. The legislature had now come to an end and an election would be held early next year, irrespective of the outcome of tonight’s vote, he said.
If the Budget was voted down, he would take a stand immediately and give a step-by-step account of what was to follow. He would also do his best to implement those Budget measures that could be implemented by law without a positive vote.
The other measures would be kept as PN proposals and he could face the electorate with his head held high.
“We have a tough road ahead, a steep hill to climb... But we will climb it,” he said.
Freshly-elected PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil yesterday gave his first official speech at a party activity, urging supporters to stand up and be counted.
He said although the PN had obtained results for the country, Labour had managed to sow the seed of “negativity”.
“Sometimes we are victims of our own success. Maybe we did not explain enough,” he said.
“But this is everyone’s responsibility. From tomorrow, if you are at the grocer and you hear people talking against the Government, don’t keep quiet. When you hear unjust criticism, stand up and respond,” he added, to loud applause.