Muscat: The government has imploded and collapsed
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this evening that as predicted, the government had imploded and collapsed.
Lawrence Gonzi had today confirmed how much time had been wasted for the country. What had happened today had been obvious for a long time but Dr Gonzi, instead of solving the problem, continued to cling to the seat of power.
The Opposition had warned that this attitude would lead to more serious problems, but the prime minister carried on. He preferred Austin Gatt instead of stability in the country.
Dr Gonzi had lost his majority five times in the House. The government was reduced to a coalition and it now collapsed.
Dr Gonzi had divided a party and destroyed the government, Dr Muscat said.
The country now needed somebody who could unite it, not divide it. In his address in parliament, Dr Gonzi had aimed to divide, but the Opposition would not fall for that tactic, he said.
Dr Muscat said that the electoral campaign would start on January 7 as agreed between the parties. Labour would respect that agreement except for a few political activities which would be held until next Sunday.
He pointed out that the government was now a caretaker one so it could only carry out the day to day business. Permanent Secretaries should see that this is done.
At this point, Dr Muscat was informed that the Prime Minister had just announced the date of the election. He said this again confirmed that the Prime Minister had, yet again, put the interests of his party before the country.
Dr Muscat also said that it was not Dr Debono who had brought down the government but Austin Gatt because he had hijacked the Nationalist Party.
Dr Muscat said that during the electoral campaign there was to be an important EU summit which could decide the EU's new budget. He said he wanted to make it clear that the Opposition would support the government's position in the negotiations but asked for the Opposition to be consulted.
Asked for his proposal on how he would reduce the water and electricity, which he had promised he would give once the election date was announced, Dr Muscat said that as the campaign was start on January 7 he would give his proposal then.
Asked what would be his position on case of Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, who is embroiled in an Olympic ticketing controversy, if the Commission for the Administration of Justice advised he should be impeached, Dr Muscat said he would like to keep a distinction between politics and the judiciary but would follow the advise of the commission.
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Joseph Aquilina
Dec 11th 2012, 11:22
With Joseph you get promises plus a history of failed and wrong decisions!!
With Gonzi you get facts made of a strong economy, jobs and a good living for everyone!!
Those are the facts that not even a lejber die hard can challenge!!
A. Muscat
Dec 11th 2012, 11:13
A.MUSCAT
@ Pat Muscat , With pl.we will go back to the dark ages of the (IL-HAKEM)
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 11th 2012, 11:11
Lejber is already inventing excuses for not giving us the budget that promised they would give us!! That is why they voted against the budget!! Because they know they cannot give us that budget to keep all the promises that Joseph Muscat made to everyone in his endless hunger for power!!
C Cassar
Dec 11th 2012, 11:10
If the government has imploded and collapsed you do not have to promise everything to everyone. Issa tellieqa wahdek ghandek kif thobb tghid int Sur Joseph Muscat.
paul falzon
Dec 11th 2012, 10:37
Electorate be wise especially the floating voters like myself. The nationalist party although not flawless is certainly the best choice for this country. Agree anyone ?
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 11th 2012, 11:19
How can a floater vote for Joseph Muscat who has a proven track record of always being wrong; of always proposing later proven to be wrong ideas? How can they vote for Joseph instead of Gonzi; which gave us a strong economy which sustains jobs and a good living for all of us!!? How!!?
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 11th 2012, 11:32
@paul falzon
... In other words I agree with you ...
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 11th 2012, 10:19
With a Franco in the party - a person who clearly in the eyes of all put his own personal ambitions before the good of the country - PN still managed to do the whole 5 years for the good of the nation; these are not just words; but facts that can be seen all around us!! With a strong economy that can sustain us all!!
George Cutajar
Dec 11th 2012, 09:24
I do not think it is going to be a fun Christmas for JM and his merry band. With having to write their electoral programe, proof read it, print it, bind it and delivering it looks like they are in for the long haul. On the otherhand LG and the PN have set out clearly where they will take the country in the years to come with a budget which even Labour love .
James Portelli
Dec 11th 2012, 09:03
@ Pat Muscat
Talk is cheap but economic results suggest otherwise with one of the lowest unemployment rates in EU, controlled deficit as % of GDP, public borrowing that is significantly local, shattering of various economic millstones (such as the drydocks among others) and liberalization of telephony, media etc. In what what is the budget a 'failed' one if PL has pledged to adopt most of it?
pat muscat
Dec 11th 2012, 08:01
Why is GonziPN using this failed budget to hide its political divisions that has wrought havoc amongst our families and businesses?
The writing has been on the wall since January, but for GonziPN partisan interest came first and foremost! Its not Debono, or Mugliet, of JPO who is irrelevant but the GonziPN system that has failed us.
John Scerri
Dec 11th 2012, 07:57
The Labour Govt elected after 9 march 2013 will self implode if this budget measures will not be implemented retroactively asap as promised.
The people will wait patiently but when the time comes all will expect the facts and no more paroli.
For now it's only Dr.Muscat's word .
John L Galea
Dec 11th 2012, 09:05
@John Scerri: But is it possible that you ask such questions when JM already stated and assured that the budget framework will be retained and that the good measures will be implemented immediately backdated to Jan 1st? Can you be a little bit more objective? Also JM stated that the antisocial measure of tax on minimum wage will be removed. Scare tactics work only with the fools.
Ronnie Callus
Dec 11th 2012, 10:04
Hopefully that Joseph find the money left by Dr.Gonzi for this Budget,because I can't see from where he was going to find the money when he was going to decrease the tax for those earning 60,000 euro.Do you think that we are going to have such a big economic growth to replace these? One wonders when Europe is having so much problems in their economy which we also depends on.
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 11th 2012, 11:36
@John L Galea
We do not believe Joseph Muscat because Joseph Muscat has a proven track record of failed promises and wrong decisions!! We all know the drill; they will promise us heaven on earth, and lejber will just give us MORE TAXES!! Unlike PN which gave us a strong economy, more jobs, a better life!!
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 11th 2012, 11:37
@Ronnie Callus
Those figures where agreed with the EU!! So even the EU is against lejber??
Ronnie Callus
Dec 11th 2012, 20:57
@ Joseph Aquilina;
Time will prove this or not Joseph.The Budget before this one also was presented to the commission and gave Gonzi the go ahead but later you know what happened.They found that 40,000,000 euro has to be deducted from some where.
A Cuschieri
Dec 11th 2012, 07:33
Issa ssafret is-suffara. Ejja ha naraw l-gherf hiereg.
Nispera Muscat ma jghidilniex li s-skiet risposta issa.
Nadya Debono
Dec 11th 2012, 07:12
Malta is in a good financial position - otherwise how can we can explain the heavy traffic in Sliema and thousand of people buying the Christmas present or thousand of cars coming to University every morning and lots of new cafe packed of students every day. Are those an indication of poverty? Or collapsing country? Thanks Gonzi PN!
Amanda Sciberras
Dec 11th 2012, 08:32
Don't base it on cafe's packed with students or people buying Christmas presents... Students go in cafe's for wifi too. But see families struggling to make it till the end of the month, all the wage goes for home loans and cars and bills, than whats left? Off to the part time job. Its not easy for everybody nowadays, not everyone get paid well.
Matthew James Smith
Dec 11th 2012, 08:58
Nadya, with all due respect you come across as being somewhat naive. 'An Indication of Poverty' - Are you benchmarking Malta's financial situation with Uganda or Bangladesh by any chance?
Ronnie Callus
Dec 11th 2012, 09:57
Nadya can you confirm that all cars you are mentioning are all paid ?Do you know how many families have to do extra part time work ( if they succeed to find) to be able to pay bills?One has to see things with clear eyes and not asume that he bieng ok others are the same.Do you think that families are having the same amount of money they used to have in their pockets.Surely not !
ruth klotzer
Dec 11th 2012, 11:16
"Thanks Gonzi PN" ?? For giving himself 500 euro raise, whilst he gave you 1 euro and some change? When most countries were deducting the wages of the overheads in parliament to try and decrease the debts. And what financial position are you talking about/? The real one or the one in your fairy tale?
Ronnie Callus
Dec 11th 2012, 07:09
Iz-zejt jitla f'wicc l-ilma jghidu u hekk gara.Dr.Gonzi ipprova jkompli jahbi l-kurruzzjoni wara l-Budget biex jigbed is-simpatija ta'nies u jara ftit biki tal-kukkudrilli.M'hemmx sincerita maghna ccittadini u kredibilta.Il-kbir jiffanga u z-zghir jinghata loqma biex jidher li tah xi haga,fejn hafna drabi titiehodlu lura wara ftit zmien.Anke fejn jithlu postijiet tax-xoghol! l-ewwel ta'klikka .
S Portelli
Dec 11th 2012, 05:06
Joseph- It is time to tell us by how much, when and how to reduce electricty tariffs. I expect now that you keep my reduction in tax and increase children allowance. Good I will be better under the Labour Government. But can you give me assurance and Malta would not be another Greece or Ireland or you well known Cyprus.
J Martinelli
Dec 11th 2012, 02:21
Joseph, please don't try to pull wool over our eyes!
The PM preferred Austin Gatt instead of stability in the country? What gall.
Who denied 'pairing' to begin with, Joseph?
If you were sincere and preferred stability, why did not one or two of your MPs abstain, especially when you publicly promised to adopt the good things in this Budget?
You can have Franco, since he became one of you.
Karl Consiglio
Dec 11th 2012, 00:30
Ok so can we hear PL's plans now? Hehe..Or is it still too early?
A Galea
Dec 10th 2012, 23:27
Political crisis.
Useless government useless opposition.
In the end it's not the politicians who suffer, but the stupid public.
From day one I voted PN, today I thank Franco Debono who rid the country from vile rubbish.
It's time for change, although I'm not expecting much.
Gilbert Busuttil
Dec 10th 2012, 23:27
Well...at least the red ties seem to be back in fashion.
George Cutajar
Dec 10th 2012, 23:25
Now that we have an election date will JM kindly deliver the much vaunted electoral programme. Going by what he has been saying over the past months we are to assume that it is at the binders.
twanny borg
Dec 10th 2012, 23:07
il-pn se jkun ghamel iz-zmien kollu kif ivvota u ried il-poplu fl-ahhar elezzjoni.
Robert Agius
Dec 11th 2012, 05:14
Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.
Ronnie Callus
Dec 11th 2012, 07:01
Taf x'ma ghitilniex Twanny,kemm dam miexi bil-krozzi. Il-Gvern ipprova jinheba wara l-Budget imma ma'rnexxilhux ghax Franco kien ilu jwissieh fuq il-kurruzzjoni instazzjonilizata fil-Partit, imma Dr.Gonzi ma'tghax kaz.Hadd ma'jista jmerrieh dan issa kollha elinkhom Franco mal-poplu li ftit li xejn kien jaf fuqhom.Franco huwa ragel fuq l-irgiel u ta'direzzjoni ohra lil pajjiz.Hafna warajk Franco.
j brincat
Dec 10th 2012, 22:40
The speech of a statesman!
Serene and well composed - unlike GonziPN who today was nervous as shown by his body language.
(jb)
Ian Dingli
Dec 10th 2012, 22:46
More like the speech of someone who has no idea what he is going to do when he gets into power........ Besides lower the utility bills with his magic wand and implement a budget which his entire party (along with their +1 ) just rejected.
NEW LEADER BUT SAME OLD LABOUR.
Mr Joe Micallef
Dec 10th 2012, 22:46
Nervous? You must be kidding or running your TV on kerosene
Andrew Vassallo
Dec 10th 2012, 22:51
Hallina (jb)
twanny borg
Dec 10th 2012, 23:09
mhux bilfors li muscat kien seren jew stordut wara dik l-umiljazzjoni li tah gonzi illejla!!
Neil Dent
Dec 10th 2012, 23:17
How you have the audacity to call an unproven person such as Muscat a 'statesman' is beyond me 'jb'
Look the word up!
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 10th 2012, 23:35
The only statemen i saw was Dr.Gonzi.. joseph muscat is just promises... Gonzi - with facts - delivered.
Alexander Montebello
Dec 10th 2012, 23:43
My god!!! You're an expert in body language too? I've got a hand gesture you might want to read!
A Cuschieri
Dec 11th 2012, 07:37
Berlusconi is always confident when giving a speach but put his country on the way to collapse. Issa 'wasal iz-zmien mistenni minn kulhadd' li Joseph jghidilna kif, kemm u meta. Bil-pozi u l-kunfidenza ma naghmlu xejn hlief nidru sbieh quddiem il-cameras.
Karl Consiglio
Dec 10th 2012, 22:40
"Imploded "is a bit of a heavy word, there was just one guy who held the country hostage because he doesnt like Gatt. I mean everyone will have a list of things that annoy them within their own team, changes they wish to see, I'm sure Simon Busuttil himself does, but god forbid this trend starts, for politics in general i'm saying, that one just goes on a childish rampage like that everytime now,
John L Galea
Dec 11th 2012, 08:34
Sorry there were also JPO & Mugliette apart from FD.
Robert Agius
Dec 11th 2012, 10:49
Clearly you haven't seen PL/PN billboards, and their propaganda in general if you think FD's attitude is childish
fredu debono
Dec 10th 2012, 22:35
daqqietilkom il-qanpiena u sejrin ghal elezzjoni b'riha qawwija ta moffa wara 25 sena fl-elezzjoni/
Karl Consiglio
Dec 10th 2012, 23:54
Moffa xejn, Simon Busuttil makes the PN look way more fresh than Muscat does the PL, not to mention all Mintoff's men behind Muscat.
Ian Dingli
Dec 10th 2012, 22:34
The Labour party just voted against a budget which they have pledged to implement if they are elected (An election would have been called even if the budget was approved).
Meanwhile in the real world we are stuck in limbo for 3 months.
NEW LEADER BUT SAME OLD LABOUR.
Your petty mindset never ceases to amaze me.
Good Show.
A. Sultana
Dec 10th 2012, 22:24
Just in time for the elections! Looking forward to hear PL's proposals now... Or is it still too early?
Karl Consiglio
Dec 10th 2012, 22:41
Ezatt!!
j brincat
Dec 10th 2012, 22:41
Yes AFTER the PN presents theirs first?
(jb)
Ian Dingli
Dec 10th 2012, 22:52
@Jb
Why so that Labour can base their entire campaign on saying no to everything that PN say yes to.
NEW LEADER BUT SAME OLD LABOUR.
Peter Buttigieg
Dec 11th 2012, 00:19
@j brincat - read the budget speech and get back to us.
Peter Buttigieg
Dec 11th 2012, 00:20
J brincat - read the budget speech and get back to us
John Grech
Dec 11th 2012, 03:01
Kumment bis sens!!!!
A Cuschieri
Dec 11th 2012, 07:42
@ j brincat
PN already told us what they'll do in the first year... The budget. What did PL say? and please dont tell me that they will implement it because yesterday they officially showed they don't like it. To the detriment of thousands of families that would have befitted from the measures proposed. Imma mhux ha nitilfu chance bhal dak hux wara 5 snin nistennew
Karl Consiglio
Dec 11th 2012, 18:19
J. Brincat,
PN just told us theirs via the budget, ejja no more excuses.
Nadya Debono
Dec 10th 2012, 22:18
PN has a ready budget - is the reduction of utilities bills ready for the presentation? It is only 3 months left for this miracle to be created!
Joseph Mifsud
Dec 11th 2012, 08:31
You can't read between the lines.....this budget was created on purpose. GonziPN knew the budget wouldn't have been approved and only few items would have been able to implement without contrasting with our financial laws. No wonder he asked the opposition to vote in favour.....so to look as if he has a social conscience.
Nadya Debono
Dec 10th 2012, 22:16
Dr Gonzi and PN has created a great budget and make Malta a quite a wealthy country! PL should start to work out the reduction of utilities bills - its 3 moths left for this miracle to be created
Joe Grech
Dec 10th 2012, 22:38
Are you imagining things saying that ours is ''quite a wealthy country''?
You must really be Politically Blinkered to declare that much!
We are part of the E.U. This is falling to pieces financially, economically. It overspends, is managed inefficiently and there's no political union.
The same practically goes for our own country....
Francis Zammit
Dec 11th 2012, 06:55
(jg) You should buy a TV set and watch what is happening in other countries....!!!
W. Cassar
Dec 11th 2012, 07:48
A wealthy country... yes take one look at our infrastructure and the roads!
Joseph Mifsud
Dec 11th 2012, 08:26
Wealthy? You should check out under the chapter "Deficit and Goverment's Debit".....if you are wealthy enough (under your GonziPN) maybe you can contribute more
John L Galea
Dec 11th 2012, 08:36
@Nadya Debono: Hahaha Malta a wealthy country with over 5 billion Euros national debt of which 1/3 was created during the last 5 years!!! I think you are living in the woods.
Matthew James Smith
Dec 11th 2012, 09:07
Nadya, much as I agree on the second part of your statement regarding the 3 month miracle-making,
the wealthy bit is a joke - either you are either wearing horse blinkers... or you have never, ever, ever left the rock. Malta in all its charm and beauty is also home to places that it makes third world African and Middle Eastern countires look polished and 'quite wealthy' as you put it.
Please choose the reason of your report below: