Paul Borg Olivier to step down

Wally Vella-Zarb

Mar 11th, 18:12

It is not my party but, objectively, I would put Mario Demarco as leader and Chris Said as deputy; both of them are gentlemen and efficient at what they do. Still, I have no wish to tell the PN how to run its internal affairs.

Thomas Anderson

Mar 12th, 08:43

@Aquilina What you are commenting here is the history according to PN it was Mintoff who got the amendments necessary even though he knew that MLP will loose the elections
As for resignations when EFA won the elections he won by 4000 votes, GonziPN lost by 36000 votes I am not going to be paternalising like a lot of GonziPN commentators used to be but its time to do a whole spring cleaning of PN

GL Calleja

Mar 11th, 18:37

Dr Saliba you are right. Talk is cheap and a lot of men know how to do the talk but very few are willing to do the walk. Only time will tell.

Mr leo attard

Mar 11th, 20:36

the PN suffered hubris, pure and simple. the party members were always contradicting themselves and each other -- case in point: gonzi during debate ephatically said he would not resign if failing the election. he then resigned straight away. while leaders in europe were taking pay cuts, PN took lucrative honararia behind peoples backs. time will tell -- till then, muscat has my support

Martin Saliba

Mar 11th, 17:45

Are you serious , no , are you sane . Simon did more harm that anminute bit of good he could have wished for . One of his first was the one where he told people to defend the pn " Ghand tal grocer ". He was not , is not , anything anyone expected of him . Was it a pn misconception or is he full of himsel like our ex PM and most , not all , of his cabinet ?

Francis Saliba M.D.

Mar 11th, 21:19

@MartinSaliba

You are welcome to your doubts about my sanity and any PN misconceptions. I do not detect any argument from you that could possibly induce me to adopt your opinion.

Martin Saliba

Mar 12th, 16:59

Dear francis , how about the opinion of about 37,000 others ? How about the fact that your dear leader has decide , or rather been forced , to resign and the probable no contest for a leadership post by wonder boy .

Martin Saliba

Mar 12th, 17:24

Here is some interesting reading francis .

P Borg

Mar 11th, 15:45

Ministers who achieved records and remarkable results should not contest any post ... in your dreams! Well, even that wouldn't pose problems for the quality the PN enjoys; there's the award-winning MEP Busuttil, for example. MLP will not be able to achieve the same results. A very quick analysis of their promises leads one to realise that they will send the country GAS DOWN into a brick wall!

Alfred Fenech

Mar 11th, 14:28

Hope he learned his lesson.

E Bonello

Mar 11th, 15:03

Franco debono have no place in the new PN nor Mugliette or JPO. these people are of the past. they have contributed greatly for yesterday defeat. when one stops and think the PN done very well in difficult international economic crisis. back home the economy was doing well & no i dont expect the same party to stay forever in goverment but Dr.Gonzi did not deserve this defeat.

Martin Saliba

Mar 11th, 16:13

Not because of all the 37000 , you are right Lets assume that 25000 nationalists voted labour to send a message , that still leaves 12000 votes which is still a good majority . What you and your pn didnt relise in 2008 is that the pn didnt win the elections buit the mlp lost them for various reasons . The pl , in 2008 , should have won by default .

Marcus Flores

Mar 11th, 16:18

Ma nistax naqbel aktar mieghek...Tonio Fenech please nooooooooooooooooo

Elaine Dalli

Mar 11th, 14:09

I don't think the P.N. should do that. Whatever their reasons JPO and Franco acted against the party.. that is unacceptable... change the people and elect new faces yes but I guess the people are still in denial especially since the old faces were reelected....

Saviour Fenech

Mar 11th, 14:12

No, not JPO. He used the party for his personal motives and yesterday was on the stage at the Fosos embracing JM with a PL scarf round his neck. We don't need such people.

Charles Sammut

Mar 11th, 15:13

Austin did the right thing...he made lots and lots of hay while his blue sun was shining....then when he realised "game up" and he became "persona non grata " for gonzipn, he made himself scarce so that he can enjoy the spoils of his " labour"....no pun intended and I certainly do not want to besmirch the Labour Party by associating it's name with the likes of this ex-minister for everything!

m farrugia

Mar 11th, 15:45

bring back JPO & you'll lose all remaining loyal voters PN
JPO is nothing but a laburist - he could have voted labour discreetly just as other honourable people did but no need to show off with the marmaljata fuq il fosos. PN surely would not want to associate itself with such selfish valueless people? And what about Mistra now, who knows?

G. Caruana

Mar 11th, 16:04

Franco acted in the national interest. When in parliament, ALL MPs who swear an oath to the constitution should refrain from toeing the party line.

Saviour Aquilina

Mar 11th, 16:23

Yes no JPO, he was on the palk yesterday ( Sunday ) hug JM, he always was a MLP/PL supporter.PN didn`t want people like that not even FD and J Mulliet

Victor Calleja

Mar 11th, 13:18

min got tagen ghal go nnar

A. MICALLEF

Mar 11th, 13:36

Joe Saliba dahhal il-PN f-hafna obligazzjoniet li kellhom jithallsu mill-gvern tal-PN, u
dawn holqu il-hnizrijiet u oxxenitajiet. SHAME on Joe Saliba, Charlot Bonnici u dawk
kollha mcappsin mal-kuntratturi !

Saviour Aquilina

Mar 11th, 14:31

Issa naraw L`obligazzjoniet li ghand JM/PL sur Micalef mal kuntratturi li semma Anglu.

R. Balzan

Mar 11th, 15:48

You're joking! Joe Saliba's election strategy - following on the advise of AG - was one of the principal reasons for this tsunami defeat.

m. borg (slm)

Mar 11th, 14:13

Are you living on planet XGT76YU ?

Joe Saliba was the campaign manager together with Aust andor him gonzipn's scapegoat. RCC. PBO is unfortunately for him gonzipn's scape goat

m. borg (slm)

Mar 11th, 14:15

Wrong on boath counts.

As PM he garnered 25% of National Debt in just 8 years and never balanced a budget not even when he was minister for finance. I wouldn't call that fantastic.

Claire Pace Harmsworth

Mar 11th, 13:24

Beppe Fenech Adami should be our next Leader

m. borg (slm)

Mar 11th, 14:16

Naqbel 100% u ghalhekk tridu thajru niex bhal Franco li wissiekom.

Kif tghid il-bibja : Il-profeta qatt ma jkun milquh f'pajjizu.

George Camilleri

Mar 11th, 13:08

@ Joe Camilleri

from your wording it's obvious that you're bitter. Don't be, it's not worth it.

PN needs a deep purge before it aspires to ever draw votes again from ppl who are not rigidly PN. The party needs to embark in a road of uprooting the weeds and pushing for re-conciliation, especially with JPO and Franco Debono, two persons who truly cared for the PN. Otherwise it's hopeless for PN.

m farrugia

Mar 11th, 15:52

and judging by the endless list of promises by JM, it will be very difficult not to - lower utility rates, no more low salaries, work for all gozitans, work for all youths, the whole pn budget, lower tax for part timers, lower rates for property rentals, no more arriva problems, no more bendy buses,no more hospital waiting lists, medicines straight to your home

john gauci

Mar 11th, 12:40

Bring back the ones who betrayed the party. What sound advice is that?

connie sullivan

Mar 11th, 12:56

No thanks. We do not need people like Franco and JPO in our party!

Rich Natsud

Mar 11th, 17:31

About Dr Franco Debono ?? was he wrong in his doing or was he edged ( being hurt and frustrated with his surroundings) to do what he did especially seeing the direction of the party? HE had anger and courage too ,he who laughs last laughs best... a man to be considered as Relevant.!!

Pippo de Marco

Mar 12th, 03:01

Franco, JPO and others were visionaries who saw the writing on the wall and tried in vain to bring about a change of Leader rather than a change of Government. But Gonzi was a vain and stubborn political dinosaur who refused to acknowledge the need for change FROM HIM.
The party has now paid the ultimate price, yet you lot still blame Franco and JPO ? - Open your eyes and get a grip !

Joseph Attard

Mar 11th, 10:59

I think that Chris Said can even be an excellent Leader of the Nationalist Party too!! we need a strong leader like him in the party to win the people'ds trust back!

Malcolm Seychell

Mar 11th, 11:17

Yes surely the best possible option

Rich Natsud

Mar 11th, 17:52

Election time 5 years? Dr Chris Said would be the right fitting , he's always prepared for confrontations, worked with Gonzi (whom in my opinion was a good Leader but was harnessed by certain MP's),motivated and organised, followed by Dr Demarco...these in my opinion are Good leaders

Theresa Cachia

Mar 11th, 10:57

Joe Saliba tal-klikka ghadu hi.. intom tafu xi tridu?? Joe Saliba was always on board and actively helped to sink our ship. Hu u AG haga wahda ta... I hope that before the PN take anyone on board, they do their homework well..

Elaine Dalli

Mar 11th, 11:13

Mr. zammit if you're a loyal supporter and i'm sure you are please get to know the inner people who work for the party behind closed doors. Saliba is still one of them and one who was still calling the shots like Austin.. Please I hope the PN trusts somebody who gives himself/herself wholeheartedly for the party and who work with and for the people not for themselves. Saliba is not one of these

C Spiteri

Mar 11th, 11:25

Well said mate !

Paul Meilak

Mar 11th, 13:44

Jekk jilhaq Mario de Marco kap tal - PN... zgur li hafna nazzjonalisti jduru labour ghal-fatt illi Mario de Marco ma kienx tan-nazzjonalisti kollha.

Matthias Farrugia

Mar 11th, 11:59

i have been telling that for 3 years now... and nobody listened....and the final result...wipe out

Elizabeth White

Mar 11th, 13:56

@ Matthias - let's hope they will listen now!!

Martin Saliba

Mar 11th, 17:51

What do you expect ? The pl to do the job for you and gets crucified afterwards ? You should have made your thoughts public and they would have listened

Jason Zammit

Mar 11th, 10:41

Agreed 100%

Theresa Cachia

Mar 11th, 10:53

Joe Saliba never left the party.. he was one who still supported AG and did his every bidding... God forbid he'll be back.

albert galea

Mar 11th, 11:21

What the PN needs is a clean sweep. Forget the past and ,start with new faces.

LJN Galea

Mar 12th, 19:14

Joe Saliba ghamlu zmienu...Let's move on...Fresh start minn kull aspett!!!

Joe Camilleri

Mar 11th, 11:17

firstly history says that a government change happens every 10 years. PN have been there for 23 years and rightly so. The record holder for most years in opposition is the PL.

all it takes is a day for this government to make one mistake and the 37 000 votes PL won wil be taken back in a sec.

George Camilleri

Mar 11th, 13:02

@ Joe Camilleri

Anyone can do mistakes. Assuming responsibility, something the PN does not understand if not by a crushing defeat, is something completely different which does not lose you votes.

Now you seem to be hoping that the PL gov will do mistakes so that, in your imagination, the tide turns in favour of PN again.

Trust me, before u get rid of the scum, few will vote PN again.

mario genovese

Mar 11th, 17:27

The way you think is one of the reasons why you lost. Basically you are saying that the common citizen that votes PN ('000) are not worthy to be your cared for supporters. That is why TAGHNA LLKOLL won the election.

Ms Sandra Grech

Mar 11th, 18:30

It's not the party of the elite, it's you who are still living in the past

Elaine Dalli

Mar 11th, 11:25

Well said Mr. Micallef.

G. Cachia

Mar 11th, 11:29

Sur Micallef mhux sa nghidlek kemm int zbaljat. Taf ghaliex? Ghax fl-opinjoni tieghek jekk dawn in-nies ikomplu jahdmu jistghu jkunu t'ghadma iebsa anki mill-Oppozizzjoni.

Lawrence Gonzi inti ghedt li kisser Partit u Joseph Muscat il-bierah irringrazzjah ghal-gid kbir li ghamel lil Malta.

Zomm f'mohhok li l-gideb rebah u z-zmien jaghtina parir ghax biex tiggverna trid soluzzjonijiet.

George Camilleri

Mar 11th, 13:13

@ G. Cachia

Nahseb qed tkun unfair hafna bl-uzu tal-kelma gideb. Alla hares kellu jirbah dak li kaxkar President Emeritus fuq palk biex jassigura lil partitarji (u l-partitarji biss) li Gonzi jista imexxi. Ghal mument hsibt li EFA ha jghidilna min qatel lil mibki Raymond Caruana, bhalma wieghed fin-1987. Dak jghidulu gideb.

is-soluzzjonijiet huma fil-manifest, t'ghamilx bhal Gonzi, iftah u aqra.

Max Portelli

Mar 11th, 10:28

Austin was not a candidate. The others I do not care for either.

However, I strongly believe that George Pullicino did a lot of good for the country and he deserves to be re-elected and maintain a key role in the Nationalist Party.

I also believe that PN need to re-focus and need a new STRONG leader and deputy with a clear vision and sharp mind with no tolerance for internal cliques.

Joseph Apap

Mar 11th, 10:23

There is no place in the PN for Franco and his ilk

Joseph Grech

Mar 11th, 11:01

Ghax ma jihdux il-Partit Laburista lil Franco? Mhux maghhom mar jiccelebra? Nimmagina li jinteressah il-Partit Laburista la mar jintrefa u jcapcap wara r-rebha, so m ghandiex tkun problema. :)

Frank Psaila

Mar 11th, 11:07

Now that they are at it, leave him there. Old crap is still crap.

R. Balzan

Mar 11th, 15:54

Agreed. Franco Debono is the only living person who can bring about the top-to-bottom purge needed in the PN.

Alexander Montebello

Mar 11th, 09:35

The man is resigning. Have some respect!

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Mar 11th, 10:01

PBO was convenient to the backroom klikka actuially running the party. I belive they used him and he was too complacent to their demands. Some incredibly stupid decisions were made and he is totally responsible for them.

Theresa Cachia

Mar 11th, 09:57

bla sens dan il-kumment siehbi. if you said this about PBO I would have whole heartedly agreed but about Simon, you don't know what you're talking about I'm afraid.. Or are you playing some kind of dirty game too..

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Mar 11th, 10:04

Theresa people like you should learn to accept criticism for what it is. Why say that Jeffrey is 'playing a dirty game'? This has been the attitude of GonziPN and what lead is to crach into the wall. Learn to accept criticism and that those who criticise do not need to have an agenda or are simply labourites. This was one big mistake by the PN klikka who attacked all those who disagreed.

David Caruana

Mar 11th, 10:14

Therese, then keep Simon, and keep to the Opposition benches for a long long time.

Simon was one of the ingredients for this monumental electoral loss, so yes, he needs to go.

Theresa Cachia

Mar 11th, 10:39

better focus on AG's pawns like Marthese Portelli, which for those of you who do not see this, is evident by her complete monopolization of the media during the campaign. people like AG and all those who support him should go definitely but people like Simon who has done nothing but honor us with his abilities when he was representing Malta abroad should be left to clean up the mess.

Elizabeth White

Mar 11th, 11:29

To add my two cents in regards to Simon - I believe he is a "good" guy. Yes he did some blunders but this could be due to his inexperience. Not good enough for a leader but good enough to stay.

Chris Vella

Mar 11th, 09:33

what questions may i ask?

Theresa Cachia

Mar 11th, 09:59

I agree Mr. Catania. What exactly did PBO do in his years as party secretary?? Jaghti l-gambetti lin-nazzjonalisti shabu li riedu veru jahdmu.

A Dimech

Mar 11th, 10:22

what was he doing in the counting hall yesterday than?

Joe - don't you see who is pulling the strings within PN!

Theresa Cachia

Mar 11th, 10:01

he was in charge of the media.. the only person appearing in the media full blast under his supervision was marthese portelli. if she stays on god forbid.. we're in for the same fate.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Mar 11th, 10:15

Simon Busuttil does not carry any responsibility for the PN defeat when he was only brought in, as a measure of despair much too late in the day, to undo the decade-long cavalier neglect of the Nationalist Party grass roots.

It is on people like him that the Nationalist Party must rely if the party is to rise, like a Phoenix, from the ashes .

Victor Vella

Mar 11th, 11:40

Dear Francis
It could be more adequate for you if you have to be trusted that a few days ago you should have said that the party you hold to your heart was in ashes. Now stay cool and Joseph Muscat will teach you how not come to ashes.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Mar 11th, 13:08

@VictorVella
Please re-write in comprehensible English. I have never asked you, or anyone else, to trust any prophetic abilities that I never claimed. My stance always was that disgruntled NP supporters like me should put the interest of the party, and of the country, above personal considerations.

I am pleasantly surprised that up to now at least, violent elements in the LP have been controlled.

George Camilleri

Mar 11th, 13:23

@ Francis Saliba M.D.

Responsible or not, it remains an issue to be discussed within the PN.

However, everyone will remember Simon as the good man who was brought down from Europe, and in the dungeons of Pieta he was whipped into a parroting, playback PN propoganda android, scaremongering and all.

His reputation is permanently smeared, thanks to the clique you supported so much only days ago

Francis Saliba M.D.

Mar 11th, 15:55

@GeorgeCamilleri.
The issue is to be discussed within the NP by those who have the interests of the party at heart not by its inveterate critics who hypocritically give unsolicited advice that isn't in the interests of the NP. Simon acted loyally by doing what the party required of him to mend fences that others had wrecked beyond repair. That enhances his reputation. It doesn't "smear" it.

Michael Campbell

Mar 11th, 09:49

I am not sire what you mean Mr. Farrugia.
What should EFA be apologising for? What breach? I'm new to this and always held the man in high esteem.
Breaching good conduct sounds like a criminal with a suspended sentence.
Is he such?
Enlighten me.
Thanks.

Geoffrey Farrugia

Mar 11th, 10:16

When EFA became president he elevated himself to a post that is above politics. that post is for life and all past presidents followed this code of conduct. Till now. EFA opened the doors with a dangerous precedent.

Had he remained just a past PM it would have been totally correct to get involved in politics. As a president emeritus what he did is totally out of sync and incomrehensible.

J. Scicluna

Mar 11th, 10:23

@ Michael Campbell

THIS is the stuff that contributed for the greatest defeat of a politcial party in Malta's recent history!

You fail to accept the fact that what EFA did at fosos was WRONG! He is President Emeritus of MALTA and had no right to be there.

Continue on with this we-can't-do-anything-wrong and we-are-always-right attitude and your party will remain in opposition.

Joseph Grech

Mar 11th, 11:04

"It-tajjeb jirbah zgur... u dejjem" grazzi talli qieghed tammetti li il-Partit Laburista ghamel 25 sena hazin. U grazzi talli qed tammetti li dawk in nies li kienu hziena f'dawk il 25 sena ghadhom fl istess partit.

Franco Attard Trevisan

Mar 11th, 09:42

they "couldn't" for the simple reason that their character didn't allow them to make such selfless decisions.

But I guess yesterday's historic defeat is a wake up call to any characte

Elizabeth White

Mar 11th, 09:57

I so agree with you Frank. If this was done two years ago, yesterday's results would have been very different.

Theresa Cachia

Mar 11th, 10:04

Well said Mr. Attard Trevisan.. I hope the party makes a good decision on the next person to be elected party secretary. I don't know why Jean Pierre Debono was still made to remain asst. party secretary when all the good work at the office was taken on by himself.. the people know it but it seems that within the party walls, there are ones who play dirty..very dirty indeed.

Elaine Dalli

Mar 11th, 11:16

I agree with you Ms. Cachia.. I know Mr. Jean Pierre Debono through reputation.. he is the go to guy if you want to be listened to within the party.. jahdem fil-kwiet u jgib rizultati. But people like these often do not get the recognition they deserve.

A Dimech

Mar 11th, 10:10

too late!

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Mar 11th, 10:08

And the PN needs to distance itself from people like DCG and Bondi who are considered to be very close to GonziPN (as opposed to the PN). Their arrogance and personal attacks against anyone dissenting has caused much harm, even those theatrics at the last minute. Now the Pn must disacciate itself from them.

John Seguna

Mar 11th, 10:41

I very well agree with you, Roderick and Andrew

Theresa Cachia

Mar 11th, 11:01

Well said Mr. Busuttil.... AG was the brains, the idiots followed.. now the person behind this massive failure has to be made accountable.

Theresa Cachia

Mar 11th, 11:01

agreed!!

albert galea

Mar 11th, 08:24

As well as the second in command Simon Busuttil.

joe galea

Mar 11th, 08:41

PN needs refurbishment ASAP

Patrick Gatt

Mar 11th, 08:45

They were MPs and ministers not part of the PN executive. However, Austin didn't contest the general election, while Tonio is reelected in parliament.

Shaun Camilleri

Mar 11th, 08:47

Agree! I'm afraid that the most corrupt of them won't be as fair as Gonzi or Borg Olivier though.

The PL did their own clean-up and they are now reaping the reward. ;) It's PN's time now.

Victor Vella

Mar 11th, 08:58

Exactly.The PN have to change from the very foundations.Those who had any attachment with Gonzi PN including those who spattered waste words of arrogance and insipid words like wrappers have to leave from the party. Exactly. Gonzi PN was so arrogant that they saw their own people like wrappers.An outer colourful piece of flimsy paper to cover an inner object. People showed the PN to be humans.

David Caruana

Mar 11th, 08:59

Austin?! As if he'd ever do that. And the truth is that he needs to understand that a big chunck of those 35K were lost due to his arrogance and him clinging to power till the very end even when one of the biggest scandals in Malta happened on his watch.

Geoffrey Farrugia

Mar 11th, 09:07

Austin is out already! and so is Tonio..you wont be seeing them again in parliament. Tonio is ok, always was. Never involved in any case of corruption, i know him as a very righteous person.

The opposite can be said of Austin, but he is a coward and did not face the electorate this time. He knew what was coming..

Denis Pace

Mar 11th, 09:11

Austin has stepped down some time ago.
Tonio Fenech was re-elected, probably on 2 districts.
His record in the country's economic performance is commendable..........................whatever his opponents may say.
Malta taghna lkoll!

Ms Maria Vella

Mar 11th, 09:20

Austin did not run for election hanini

joseph saliba

Mar 11th, 09:24

Still, the same negative crap.
Tonio was confirmed by the people.
Austin has not contested. Not in the House anymore.
Elizabeth haven't yet done away with her dirty blinkers.

Rose Grima

Mar 11th, 09:26

Helloooooooo!!!! Austin did not even contest the elections, so how can he resign????

Chris Vella

Mar 11th, 09:32

Resign from what? they do not hold any public office or position now in government or PN. Forget about them. Just go out and celebrate a new dawn.

H. Wait

Mar 11th, 09:36

Even though Aust/AG did not contest the election, he is still there behind the scenes driving the PN into the wall. That's what I think Elizabeth was referring to. You don't have to contest an election to lead a party.

Franco Attard Trevisan

Mar 11th, 09:39

to all those who haven't understood the reference to Austin Gatt

He might not have been a candidate but it's no secret he still pulls some of the most important strings in the PN administration and that is why he must GO for the best interests of the PN

Elizabeth White

Mar 11th, 09:54

Before you all jump down my throat (oops too late - you already did) I am a PN supporter not PL. I just want to see a better and stronger party next time round. And just because Austin didn't contest the elections doesn't mean he's not still involved in the party. The sooner some of us get of heads out of the sand, the better it will be.

Matt Azzopardi

Mar 11th, 10:02

then al the over 45's!
if only we could take back time!

Bernard Pollacco

Mar 11th, 10:05

Austin Gatt didn't contest the election....

Patrick Gatt

Mar 11th, 10:26

Being involved in a party doesn't equal being a member of the executive. Asking Austin to reisgn from PN is like asking Alfred Sant to resign from the PL (he is still a member of PL and was a backbencher, without being on the forefront)

Reuben D. Spiteri

Mar 11th, 15:34

I think many are referring to Austin resigning from the party, not parliament (which as you said he can't as he never contested anyway)