Gonzi urges PL to back the Budget
Muscat says that Labour is ‘serene’
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday urged the Opposition to support the Government in tonight’s crucial Budget vote but Labour leader Joseph Muscat said his party was “serene” about voting against.
Addressing separate activities on the eve of a vote widely expected to trigger the dissolution of Parliament, the leaders rallied their troops while taking digs at each other.
“If necessary, you should vote in favour of the Budget and we’ll hold a vote of confidence afterwards... But don’t vote against families,” Dr Gonzi told the Opposition, as this would deprive families and businesses of beneficial measures.
“The Prime Minister has no one to blame but himself for the current situation,” said Dr Muscat, stressing Dr Gonzi had himself linked the vote to confidence in Government.
With the rest of Parliament evenly split, the final say on which way the vote will go rests with Franco Debono, a Nationalist MP who earlier this year broke ranks to launch a crusade against the Prime Minister and most of the Cabinet. He has since vowed to vote against the Budget if Transport Minister Austin Gatt remains in Cabinet.
Dr Muscat yesterday accused the Prime Minister of putting Dr Gatt’s interests before those of the country by leaving him in Cabinet.
But Dr Gonzi attacked Dr Muscat for using this situation to vote against a Budget “so good even he wants to implement it”.
Meanwhile, Dr Gonzi said any Budget measures that could be introduced irrespective of the vote would be implemented immediately, including the cost-of-living-allowance. The other Budget measures would remain PN proposals.
The Prime Minister also promised an election early next year irrespective of the vote’s outcome but did not confirm March 9 as the date. The Sunday Times and other papers have cited it as the most probable.
Dr Gonzi, who will tonight give a speech in response to Dr Muscat’s Budget reply, said he would take a stand immediately after the vote and provide a step-by-step account of what would follow.
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32 Comments
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Rosalie Freestone Bayes
Dec 10th 2012, 19:24
It is the DUTY of every member of parliament to vote for the ultimate good of the people, in all honesty and according to his conscience.If he /she doesn't , and votes without reasoning, and following suit-- like sheep---,then he /she is betraying the trust of the people who have elected him. Every decision an MP takes should be ONLY for the people's benefit.---then we call him HONOURABLE.
Charles Cassar
Dec 10th 2012, 19:01
Kun ragel Sur PM.
Jekk verament temmen li l-fatt li l-budget ma' jghaddix ser joholoq incertezza, sejjah elezzjoni fl-iqsar zmien li taghtik il-kostituzzjoni u cjoe fid-9 ta' Frar.
B'hekk tkun qed tnaqqas il-perjodu ta' l-incertezza. U mela tiehu l-aktar zmien twil li taghtik il-kostituzzjoni billi l-elezzjoni issejjaha fid-9 ta' Marzu !
Mhux hekk Sur PM ?
maria aquilina
Dec 10th 2012, 15:54
Franco iholl u jorbot.u mhux Muscat.Gonzi ghandu jkollu il-kontoll fuq in-nies tieghu.L-interess tan-naha l-ohra hu li jwaqqa l-gvern.It-tajba hi li il-gvern xorta wasal biex jispicca,allura ma hemmx problema ghal-gvern.
Norman E Grech
Dec 10th 2012, 15:25
In a nutshell, there is no limit as to how low Gonzi PN is ready to stoop and try to play with words to keep hanging on to power.
There are just too many reasons why you cannot put the burden on PL to save your face! You've been having internal problems, and have let the down the public at large too many times to yet again keep at the surface!
Your end has come, and that is life, accept it!
Anthony Scicluna
Dec 10th 2012, 14:43
MLP says that it agrees with the budget but will vote against it.
MLP says it will implement PN budget.
PM states that elections will be held in early 2013 anyway.
MLP ignores the serious delay to businesses and to the people of not adhering to the budget. It will still vote against.
Ergo: MLP either will not keep to the electoral promise of adopting the budget or it doesn't care.
Ronald Cauchi
Dec 10th 2012, 14:32
Surely all Dr Gonzi needs to do is get the support of his own MPs and it will all be plain sailing ..... unless Dr Goinzi hasnt got the support of his own MPs. if so why is he presenting a budget?
j brincat
Dec 10th 2012, 13:44
So please GonziPN tell WHEN did the PN when in Opposition voted in favour of a budget presented by Labour?
Never, qatt, mai, jamais!
In 1998 the PN Opposition EVEN voted against the MTA bill which they had drafted and seconded.
Ironically this was the FIRST law enacted by EFA when the PN was again elected after Sant's government was toppled by friend and foe alike!
(jb)
Paul Cassar
Dec 10th 2012, 13:23
BILHAQQ..........a few months ago, when gonzipn was in trouble AGAIN , the pm went to dar centrali, took a vote of support and came out triumphantly smiling saying he had 95% support.
my suggeation to the pm is, why doesn't he go again to dar centrali for support...............pn = banalities galore.
Joe Borg (Senior)
Dec 10th 2012, 12:29
l-ewwel dahhalna f'rokna issa jrid nsalvaw lil-Malta!! Filli jghid li jekk ma jaghdiex il-budget mhux problema! Hawwadni ha nifmek!!
... hallina!!
Fran Abela
Dec 10th 2012, 12:27
M. Borg (Slm) so what that others did not vote for the budget. We are talking about today - after all you yourselves do not want us to recall the past and I agree. Malta should move forward with mature politicians who really have at heart the people's good but if it is only being done out of pique then the PL might end up losing votes. Up to you mates.
Stephen Grech
Dec 10th 2012, 13:41
Fran, when in dire need GonziPn would try and depict himself as a victim whilst cry of help for other parties helping hands.
When having an clear majority he chooses to go ahead and vote "Bil Qalb".
Democracy is for everybody, and the Prime Minister has to face his own doings.
Just enlighten us when did ever a PN party vote in favour of a Labour budget.
Fran Abela
Dec 10th 2012, 12:25
To all PL supporters - it seems clear now that all you want is for the government to topple so you will feel great - well if that is what will make you happy then so be it but do not be hypocrites and say you are doing what is best for the people.
Joseph Bugeja
Dec 10th 2012, 16:31
The people will answer you soon Fran...well probably the latest possible knowing GonziPN's love of power despite the anti feeling against him.
Joseph Attard
Dec 10th 2012, 11:57
Meta kellkom 5 deputati maggoranza qatt ma tlabtu l-oppozzizzjoni tappogga l-budget. Imma issa ghax ma tistghux taghmlu mod iehor!!
Bilhaqq kemm il-darba l-PN appogga budget meta kien fl-oppozzizzjoni?
Peter Murray
Dec 10th 2012, 11:23
How about urging DeBono?
carlos ellul
Dec 10th 2012, 11:11
Why is he pleading the opposition to give him a vote of confidence? Surely the par idejn sodi has the majority needed not to let the budget slip from his fingers.
Charles Muscat
Dec 10th 2012, 10:53
How irresponsible and untrustworthy.
Adrian Gouder
Dec 10th 2012, 10:44
I'm afraid I partly agree with Ramon Casha on this one. The government should not have attached the budget to a vote of confidence in the first place. What's done is done. Still, maybe PN can convince Mr. Spoilt Child himself to vote for the Budget, offering a vote of confidence straight after that.
Ramon Casha
Dec 10th 2012, 10:22
First he declares that the budget to be a vote of confidence in the government, then he pleads with the opposition to support it. If the budget is so crucial then it was highly irresponsible for the PM to link it to a vote of confidence when he knows he does not enjoy the support of parliament any more. All the more reason to hold an election as soon as possible.
Fran Abela
Dec 10th 2012, 11:23
The election will be held Ramon - answer one question why is PL voting against the budget when it knows that it is good and PL will implement certain sections. Is it just out of pique - the budget is for ALL the people not just PN, PL, or AD. To my mind a vote against the budget is a vote against all the people. The vote of confidence can be held after the approval of the budget no problem.
carlos ellul
Dec 10th 2012, 11:57
Fran the answer is simple. Dr gonzi tied the budget with a vote of confidence. The Pl cant possible vote in favor of that. And what makes you think that dr gonzi would keep his promise regarding not posponing the vote of confidence as much as possible? We are talking of a man who went on live tv saying that a big brazilian company was opening in malta when it wasnt the case.
Joseph Attard
Dec 10th 2012, 11:58
@MR Abela
Vot fuq il-budget huwa dejjem vot ta' fiducja fil-gvern ghax hu money bill
A. Xuereb
Dec 10th 2012, 12:05
@ Fran Abela: can the PL vote only for the 'good' things in the budget? By the way the PN and its apologists talk about this budget one would think it' s full of manna from heaven. Even in this budget the PN chose to look after its own,if re-elected GonziPN and Co will give themselves the 600 Euros weekly pay rise and this time round they will even enjoy a substantial tax cut on their income.
m. borg (slm)
Dec 10th 2012, 12:05
Mr Abela what an infantile question, which opposition ever voted for a government Budget?
Did EFA and his cohorts vote with Dr Sant about the Kottonera project which was a good project which was in fact implemented by PN after the elections.?
Ask a silly question and you get a silly retort.
B. Theuma
Dec 10th 2012, 12:12
Fran...partit fl-oppozizzjoni qatt ma jivvota favur budget tal-gvern!! Din li intom in-Nazzjonalisti donnkhom ma tistghux tifhmu... u iktar u iktar jekk dan ikun marbut ma' vot ta' fiducja!
Norman E Grech
Dec 10th 2012, 15:20
@ Fran Abela
Int bis serjeta?
pat muscat
Dec 10th 2012, 09:56
This double speak does not do good to democracy. The Opposition's role in a European society is to vote against the Government in a vote of confidence; unless there is war or a natural catastrophe. Dr Gonzi should have addressed his Party's divisions last January! GonziPN's weakness should not be rewarded!
Paul Cassar
Dec 10th 2012, 09:50
VERU TAJBA DIN.......................he did NOT manage to convince HIS OWN and is now begging support from outsiders............after 5 years which, as he himself just confessed, began with trouble from the first 24 hours.
A prime minister who split his cabinet, his party, his parliamentary group and the people at large.............voted against parliament .......still asking for support!!
*Joseph Brincat
Dec 10th 2012, 09:32
Gonzi urges PL to back the Budget
O NO IT IS YOUR PUDDING NOW EAT IT !!!
Fran Abela
Dec 10th 2012, 12:29
Where is Malta first and foremost. You are just playing the game of serve you right and to hell with the people. What maturity.
E Schembri
Dec 10th 2012, 14:16
Agree with Joseph.
After all it is probably the PL that will have to implement this budget, so I don't expect the PL to back it.
Gonzi should have brought his rough MP under control before standing in front of the country with a budget presentation.
It would have saved him the embarrassment
Joseph Attard
Dec 10th 2012, 14:19
@ Fran Abela
Dr Gonzi ilu jaf ix-xhur li mhux se jkollu l-appogg ghall budget. Ghax ma ghamilx budget qabel? Din sitwazzjoni li gab hu stess. Fejn kien l-interess nazzjonali f'dawn ix-xhur?
Infakkrek li l-Pn fl-1998 kien wasal biex ivvota kontra ligi tat-turizmù li kien issekonda hu stess
Please choose the reason of your report below: