Simon Busuttil will not seek re-election as PN deputy leader

Tony Brincat

Mar 15th, 16:30

In a period where disloyalty and self serving interests ruled the day, Simon showed that there are still people of integrity around. Thank you Simon for doing what you could. Sadly it was long lost before you joined the battle. That you did so inspire of knowing that you were giving up so much for a seat in Opposition (whilst others crept in the shadows) says a lot about you.

Charles Muscat

Mar 15th, 12:04

What an ambassador

Jonathan Camilleri

Mar 15th, 07:26

I had a sympathy for Simon Busuttil, however, he was clearly taking sides during the election run. One doesn't expect politicians to be anything but politicians I guess.

H Darmanin

Mar 14th, 20:08

The PN defeat reflect on how much the party was not aware on what was going around its foundations and especially them genuine party supporters who could not vouch their voice.....

Charles Massa

Mar 14th, 19:04

Simon Busurril kien parti minn team tellief u lanqas ghal kap ma ghandu jikkontesta

A. Sultana

Mar 14th, 18:56

Half of MLP candidates went through countless defeats and they now form part of the cabinet. So I will ask again, why are most people asking for PN to totally sweep clean when PL did not and yet won a landslide victory?

Which makes me ask. Are you all sure that PL won because of their great achievements in the last 5 years?

Norman E Grech

Mar 14th, 18:44

Dr Busuttil contributed to pn's fiasco because he showed his true colours! His ideas and tactics are as out-dated and as arrogant as the ousted pn! Period!

Joseph Attard

Mar 14th, 18:03

Simon took up the challenge at a very difficult time. It is totally unfair to blame PN`s defeat on him....this was accumulating over the previous years and was inevitable. He is a rare talent and should continue to be a very valid contributor the party and nation in the years to come. Attacks on him are motivated by ulterior motives. Simon we need you, Malta needs you.

George Sciberras

Mar 14th, 17:42

When the going gets tough, it is the tough who get going. Simon ran for Deputy Leader at a time when he knew that the Nationalist Party was trailing 12% at the polls. Thank you Simon.

VINCENT WILLIAMS

Mar 14th, 16:46

Without any doubt Joseph Muscat's political earthquake really worked. AND HOW!!!!!!

Patrick Zammit

Mar 14th, 16:40

@ Dr Saliba
The reason why we steered "successfully through an international economic disaster" cannot be attributed entirely to LG's .
The fact that our banks remained cautious when lending money and the fact that the Government depends on money lent to it from local institutions and the common citizen (through Govt bonds) played a much bigger part.

Henry S Pace

Mar 14th, 16:33

Why not resign your parliamentary seats and go bacew to Brussels, dear Simon?

Adrian Attard

Mar 14th, 16:26

As far as I am concerned a man who gives up a brilliant career as a Euro MP, guaranteed re-election at the next MEP election, to come to his country at its hour of need is the man who we need to see as the leader of the Nationalist party. Simon only had a couple of months to convince what we now know were thousands of voters. Without him, it would have been closer to 40,000.

SIMON BUGEJA

Mar 14th, 16:00

jien ghandi kull rispett lejn Simon izda bil-kliem gas down gol hajt irredikola l Partit. mhux kliem li jinghad fit 2013 meta l=poplu ilu zmien li mmatura. Nahseb li m`ghandux ikun fit tmexxija jekk irid il Partit jinbidel.l-elezzjoni ghal kap gdid ghanda tkun bejn it tesserati kolla wara li kullhadd ikun inghata cans jesprimi ruhu. trid tibda tisma min isfel nett l-ewwel.

Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO

Mar 14th, 15:33

Dr Gonzi as Prime Minister and Dr Borg Oliver gracefully and with humility assumed full responsibility for the big defeat and declared they will resign. We still wait for a similar gesture from Dr Busuttil. Let us remember that with his election other valid members of the PN were pushed aside. I am sure Drs Demarco, Said and Portelli would have done a better job of limiting the electoral defeat

Jos Borg

Mar 14th, 15:25

So according to what Simon Busuttil stated a few weeks ago, Malta under Labour will seek an EU bailout, since it was elected last Saturday.

Let us wait and see whether what Simon said during the election campaign will come back to haunt him.

Lino Camilleri

Mar 14th, 15:21

Dr. Busuttil in my humble opinion I think you should again concentrate on your MEP post and work to be re-elected, so that you can keep a watchful eye on the other Maltese euro-sceptic labourites. The local scene needs to be rebuilt slowly and wisely. In the next 5 years the PN will not have to carry the national and international problems so we too can play the same game as JM. So let's go for it

Ray Bonello

Mar 14th, 15:10

jien ghalija wara Eddie Eddie Eddie jigi Xmun il-Kbir.

Michael Bugeja

Mar 14th, 15:09

Simon,kieku jiena minnek naghzel BRUSSELS,ghax sa joqtluk bl-inkwiet

Ann Vella

Mar 14th, 15:07

Simon....go back to Brussels
PN need a clean sweep and new faces !

David Griscti

Mar 14th, 15:04

I cannot understand many comments. Simon was forced into the Leadership to be used by a former cabinet member and/or parts of the independant media for their own agenda. Simon could have avoided some comments in the campaign, but he had to keep to someone else's script. Does that show weakness....misplaced loyalty I say! The outgoing cabinet mis-governed, not Simon. They should take a step back!

Steve Caruana

Mar 14th, 14:55

Given that Simon Busuttil is capable of trying to exonerate himself from the heavy PN loss by saying that the 12% PL lead was there before he took the reigns of Deputy, I am reasonably sure that the only reason he will not contest the Deputy role is not, as he says, "...to face the consequences" but exclusively to join the race for the leadership.

GL Calleja

Mar 14th, 14:51

The election is done and over with, I suggest Simon Busuttil take some time off and reflect for a while. his is a big decision to make, because first of all he or whoever is becomes leader of the PN has to correct all the wrong and the injustices that they have created in the last 20 years and that is not so easy, especially if the PL sticks to their word and NOT screw up in the next five years..

David Griscti

Mar 14th, 14:45

I tried to convince Simon not to contest the D Leadership. He had already shown his loyalty by accepting to contest the general elections. He chose to contest, not because of all the silly things said here, but because he is a perfect gentleman and he wanted to help the Party in its moment of need. This is the moral fibre I wish to see in a Leader, not people who conveniently hide behind the media

Joseph J. Grech

Mar 14th, 14:16

The most important criteria is, as Simon says, that the contendent for the post of leader has a "Wicc ta' Nazzjonalist". Apparantly he is more than amply qualified. He does have the necessary "wicc". He also has huge amounts of debt to repay the party that has given him everything he ever needed to advance and achieve all he wanted. That silver spoon has a price.

carmel cassar

Mar 14th, 14:15

All those involved in removing the nucleus in the party that saw and pointed out the degeneration that was taking hold on the party, should themselves move out of the way. It is a must, it is a must before anything else, so that the young shoots can and will, produce fruit.

stephen mifsud

Mar 14th, 13:53

The PN needs to take the "arrogance " and the " selfish greedy friends " out of the party and its policies and move to the Center rather then to the far right which its been from day one this party was born ...

Joseph Apap

Mar 14th, 13:49

The General secretary should not be an elected MP

Ivan Attard

Mar 14th, 13:47

Simon, the only way for you is OUT or 'ghal gol-hajt'.
YOU are as much to blame as Gonzi. Face up to it.

M Spiteri

Mar 14th, 13:42

Sorry but I don't think Simon is a leader. I think he should stay at EU.

Charles Bugeja

Mar 14th, 13:36

Qed nara gejja glieda bhal tas-70`s -Demarco kontra Fenech Adami!!!!! l-ahhar darba rebah Fenech Adami, din id-darba min jaf min???

Joseph G. Muscat

Mar 14th, 13:35

Simon, I hope you can read this as it is coming from my heart without prejudice.
You mention you do not want to contest for Vici Kap. That is an honorable decision taking into consideration you have abandoned the EU seat which comes with more perks and privilidges and on which you had a clean record and the admiration of many nationals possibly even present PL supporters. But to run for Leader !!!

Victor Vella

Mar 14th, 13:35

he knew that he was going to face an election campaign in which Labour had an almost unassailable lead. For this alone Busuttil will better leave the PN and to go back to Brusells. Instead of doing the right things, he attached himself to the Regime, when he should have detached himself and spent his valuable time offending and making calumnious allegations to his counterparts. He was a flop.

Joseph G. Muscat

Mar 14th, 13:27

The 2008 election was won by PN but with that close result I understand it was clear that people were more afraid of Sant than approving GonziPN.
Now 2013 there was a change in the PL which managed to collect ALL the people who were MLP or simply anti PN. With this gap PN have to work tremendously hard to try and close the gap unless the government fails to deliver and the `lost sheep` go back.

william cauchi

Mar 14th, 13:23

Simon, don't try to sit between two stools, an MEP or PN leader. As things are looking, it seems you will miss both and end up on the floor.

Better catch the next AirMalta flight to Brussels, after all it's free of charge as the EU is paying, and there you know where you stand.

Ta ta.

Charles Camilleri

Mar 14th, 13:22

Is it not obvious that he will not be seeking re election. He want to be elected as Leader of the Party. he can't be both. What is sure for him is that there is growing concern that he is still forming part of his party. Many are of the opinion that he has done enough harm and so he should rethink about resigning from his MEP post and decide about his future.

Joseph G. Muscat

Mar 14th, 13:22

SB was the person responsable of MIC when he fed the public the bright side only of EU.
Now we have tasted the EU and it is surely not what SB pictured.
It not what Alfred Sant pictured either but somewhere in between.
The last two electoral results must be taken into account as the two results after Malta joined the EU and people had first hand experience. contd/2

C Delia

Mar 14th, 13:21

If PN wants to be re-elected in government within 10 years time, the PN should start to evolve into a movement as PL did, the era of parties is over. PN should modernise itself and become a more open and liberal movement.

Such revolution will take months and even years. PL did a great Job in doing this revolution.

I wish all the best for our Country.

joseph Abdilla

Mar 14th, 13:19

Sur Arrigo nahseb li int ukoll ghandek terfa r-risponsabilta tat-telfa, ghaliex int bdejt bl-imkwiet u mid-dehra ser terga tibda. Simon keep it up.

Giocchino Attard

Mar 14th, 13:17

The new oppositionsw is here to stay, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is too good to be defeated.

M Vella

Mar 14th, 13:08

Malta donnha qed tara d-dawl dan l-ahhar frott ta' l-edukazzjoni tal-poplu.Il-creme de la creme, il-kapitalisti u/jew l-iskjavi taghhom ghandhom "i minuti contati".Mhux minuti imma forsi fi ftit snin ohra meta l-mentalita' tal-poplu tkompli timmatura, daqshekk jitmellhu izjed bin-nies il-politici. Tispicca l-politika tat-tkeskis u tal-pozi u titkompla tinbena l-politika ta' mexxej li kellu vizjoni

John Zammit

Mar 14th, 13:08

Simon should rewind all his speeches and reflect what he said.
Does he still think that we are that stupid, that we do not remember what was promised.
Honorable way, is to go back to Brussels. Thanks for your service!!!.

j camilleri

Mar 14th, 13:04

Uffffff better he remains there :) His gimmicks were great. Ghall go l-hajt etc ... what a clown.

Lawrence Fenech

Mar 14th, 13:03

Simon should seek a way out, yes, out of politics.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Mar 14th, 12:56

@EPsaila today 11:18 & RBalzan today 11:46

Had you understood my comments over the previous years, you would have known that the sins which I identified with the utmost clarity, to those not mentally challenged, was that of a NP leadership that neglected to address the just grievances of the humble voters and grass roots of the party whilst soft-soaping the treacherous element among its MPs.

Paul Haul

Mar 14th, 12:54

What we need in Malta is a New Political Moderate Party that sits just to the right of the centre ground.

We also need Political Parties that are devoid of being funded by Patronage and the Wealthy and Unions...funded effectively from the State Purse. This would be easily managed and would then divorce the cronyism seen recently.

H Caruana

Mar 14th, 12:48

Let me try and get this right:
- If PN had won the election then Simon would have been given credit for this victory and portrayed as the messianic game-changer
- Now that PN lost heavily he has no responsibility because he has only been there for 3 months and now deserves tp be promoted to leader

Tajjeb wisq

A Farrugia

Mar 14th, 12:46

Jien ta hsieb li l'PN ghal leadership ghandhom bzonn xi hadd li hu barra l' partit imma li jkollu vizjoni politka cara u moderna. Mhux b'nuqqas ta rispett lejn Simon imma ma narahx as the right person far from it, he did a lot of gaffes this campaign some of which were very very silly. Barra minn hekk il PN ghandu bzonn izomm ir ridni lill certu bloggers il mibgheda politka ma taghmelx gid.

Joe Borg (Senior)

Mar 14th, 12:41

Mhux ovja li diga idecida li ha jaghmel min kollox biex jikkontesta ghal-leadership! Tghid ma kienx ha jirrezenja min MEP kieku!!

M Attard

Mar 14th, 12:40

The tables are turned.... The PN are in the same situation as when PL had Alfred Sant..... and the PL have discovered their own Eddie Fenech Adami in Joseph Muscat. If heads don't roll at the top The PN will have more defeats same as had happened to PL for several times in a row.

V Mercieca

Mar 14th, 12:37

Simon, go back to Belgium, you have harmed the PN more than enough.
Remember you had a finger in the pie when you prepared the manifesto.

Eddy Privitera

Mar 14th, 12:26

Problema kbira ghal PN. Kif tistghu tehilsu minn Zaren Vassallo minghajr ma tfallu u jkollkhom tbieghu id-Dar Centrali biex thallsuh ?

mark johnson

Mar 14th, 12:25

I tell you quite bluntly, Malta needs Simon as Leader of the Opposition.

D. Caruana

Mar 14th, 12:15

This guy is forgetting that he was the one that wrote the electoral program that led the PN to the worst ever electoral defeat by any party!!
Everyone knows the numbers i don't need to repeat them.
I think the PN really needs fresh faces now!

Joe Galea

Mar 14th, 12:11

If I were to decide, everybody who was part of the past government should go out and this should include the spedial squadron from TM. This includes a total cleaup at district levels of people who have been there too long.

Reuben D. Spiteri

Mar 14th, 12:09

This could possibly be an attempt by PL to get rid of Simon by ways of reverse psychology. By openly stating that the Labourites want him to stay so they can remain in government, they truly want the opposite since he demolished the likes of Anglu Farrugia in a debate.

Basically, making your opponent do what you want by telling him to do the opposite of it. The PN should be careful to avoid it.

ANTHONY PAVIA

Mar 14th, 12:06

The democratic process demands that another powerful political force be established to counter that created by the PL and the ensuing Movement. In the circumstances, the PN must reinvent itself from the ground up into a modern political force. This it cannot do, if the old guard is present in force. They cannot be discarded as yet, but the Party needs to weed them out as fast as possible.

A Abela

Mar 14th, 11:59

Go for it Simon....back to Brussels!!!!!!

M Borg

Mar 14th, 11:57

If the NP messed it up Robert Arrigo formed part of the whole mess, so it would be much better for him to stop pointing fingers

alexander grech

Mar 14th, 11:56

Sfortuna li Dr.S.Busuttil dahluh fl ahhar ta l istorja.Dan l istess bhalma ghandek 4 min nies ilhom jisirqu s snin u jdahhlu wiehed jisraq maghhom u meta jidhol jinqabdu.kollha jipprocessawhom u ghalkemm jehlu differenti xorta jkun imcappas ghal ghomru.Jiddispjacini ghal Dr.Busuttil imma l partit ghandu bzonn Leader li ma kienx involut ma dawn I'll huttafa.

Pace M

Mar 14th, 11:55

Kif tista tbiddel partit la darba ghandek in nies ta qabel kwazi kolla eletti. L-istess nies. Dawn ma tistax tnehhijom ghax eletti mill poplu. Jigifieri li tibni partit gdid huwa farsa la darba ghandek tonio, puli, pullicini, simon, and the rest..... They are there to stay.

John Caruana

Mar 14th, 11:55

DEar Simon please go back to Brussels, Malta needs you there wheree you performed in the highest degree

KARL ABELA

Mar 14th, 11:55

Dr.Busuttil, kindly do us a favour, forget also the Leadership..Had the Media namely PBS and it's moderators were impartial through out this campaign the swing would have been less, as most PN supporters did not stomach the moderators during debates, just got flashbacks to how XANDIR MALTA was in the eighties.

Rose Grima

Mar 14th, 11:55

I believe that Simon should go back to Brussels. we need him there. He is superb for that kind of politcs. I think we should start afresh.

Also, Simon should and ought to shoulder some of the responsibility. After all, he was chosen by the Dr Gonzi to see what is wrong with the grass roots.

Alex Scicluna

Mar 14th, 11:51

yes i agree it was a very big big tsunami but remember after a few days of a tsunami Water retreats and all that you be left with is a destroyed country .lets all hope PL isn't that kind of tsunamim

J. Camilleri

Mar 14th, 11:48

Go for it Simon, the party needs you as captain.

alexander grech

Mar 14th, 11:48

Li Ill labour rebah 37000 vot hu minnu u prosit,hu minnu ukoll li ma l 20,000 nazzjonalist mugughin ivvutaw labour minbarra l eluf li ma ivvutwx.Dawn ma weggawx fl ahhar 3 xhur tal kampanja imma matul dawn l ahhar 9snin ta politika ta ifred u saltan u ghassar ha jgawdu l ftit ta fuq.tal labour ghidu grazzi lil dawk.Issa kullmin kien involut irid jghaddi l process halli jwarrab min nofs.

Ronald Zammit

Mar 14th, 11:47

Simon ifittex il gloria biss!! Tal MISTHIJA ir-ragunar tieghu! Meta lahquh vici kap tal PN gaghlu lin nies jifmu li kien il bniedem mibawt min Alla biex isalva u ir-rebbah il PN u meta kellu l-ewwel dibattiti ma sur Anglu Farrugia tajx x'ma qalux u kemm fahruh li ser igib il tal PL fix xejn!! Imma ara issa li hadu dik it-tkaxkira kolossali qed jajd li mhux tort tieghu u li kien jaf li ser jitilfu!

Jeffrey Mallia

Mar 14th, 11:40

No Offence Simon...........but the arrogance, and Big headedness you posses are out of this world........go back to Brussels.

Mr charles azzopardi

Mar 14th, 11:32

Simon : gas down

Chorus : ghal gol-hajt

Victor Vassallo

Mar 14th, 11:31

I believe Dr. Busuttil was used to dance the tune played on bad advice from the party. It is so unfortunate some remarks coming from a seasoned politician was not welcome.
These will haunt Simon, so I tend to agree either the P.N. start with new faces or the future is more defeats in coming elections. As someone said: Put your ears to the ground, people are telling you where the problem is.

Patrick Zammit

Mar 14th, 11:30

As a PN leader, SB would be a bonus for PL.

K. Vella

Mar 14th, 11:30

Grazzi Simon ta xoghol siewi li ghamilt u li qieghed taghmel.

Pero jien nahseb nrridu nibdew nibnu strutturi tal partit biex nbiddlu din l-arja tqila li qeghda ddur mal kandidati kollha.

A. Zammit

Mar 14th, 11:29

Simon was and still is an excellent MEP, however, in the local political arena he proved to be rather bland and prone to gaffs, especially the one about Deborah Schembri.

V. Cauchi

Mar 14th, 11:25

The trouble with continuing having lawyers at the helm of PN is that they are of no or little use in this age unless fighting human rights battles, something which contrary to the 1980s now seems most unlikely. If LG based most of his campaign on education, PN's emphasis should be on freshly educated professionals with managerial qualifications/skills (JM type), setting aside the legal hegemony.

Anthony Farrugia

Mar 14th, 11:24

Robert Arrigo belongs to the same "gang" as Franco Debono, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Jesmond Mugliett who did so much damage to the Nationalist Party. Arrigo is now trying to offload responsibility for Saturday's result onto others when he himself should bear his responsibility for sitting on the fence to forward his interests ! Hallina (fil veru sens tal kelma !) Robert,!

Anthony Gatt

Mar 14th, 11:22

I suggest Simon should concentrate in becoming Secretary of the Party. He would do a good job there.
As Leader of the Opposition I feel he would not be the ideal candidate.
Mario would make much more sense with Chris Said as Deputy.

Paul Meilak

Mar 14th, 11:21

Simon, there is no need to be a leader. You already have thousands of supporters !

Francis Saliba M.D.

Mar 14th, 11:19

Judging by the known LP background of the flood of commentators recommending that Simon disappear from the local political scene, it is fair to conclude that their gratuitous advice is meant to help the LP not the Nationalist Party.

Anthony Galdes

Mar 14th, 11:19

"...A clean and total change is the only remedy for such a disaster ... " ... Dear Dr Busuttil, your actions and attitude towards us mortals has simply sunk 'our' crippled party deeper ... do us a favour, please do move on, don't miss your good comfy life as an MEP ... your substance in Maltese politics had a very short shelf life ... good riddance and Bonne Chance!!

A Abela

Mar 14th, 11:19

Dalghodu s sur busuttil qal li sl kabinett se jiswa lill kaxxa ta malta 100 miljun euro. Aktar mill progett ta bieb il belt qal Mela 22 bejn ministri u seg parl se jkollhom paga ta madwar 5 milljun euro fis sena. Please simon tkomplix tghid hmerijiet. Nafu li int imgerfex imma inqas ma tghid ahjar.

Stephen Apap

Mar 14th, 11:17

Although Simon did not join the PN as deputy leader till the last months, it is inevitable that people will remember the party they have pushed aside when they see him at the helm of the party. It is very difficult to convince people that the PN is the right choice when 55% said it is not. Responsibility demands Leader, Deputy, General secretary and in this case public figures to step aside.

Joseph Borg

Mar 14th, 11:17

GAS DOWN GOL HAJT. Tiftakara kemm kont iddahhaq nies bija. Sewwa jghidu li min jixtieq id deni lill haddiehor jigi fuqu.

Owen Cassar

Mar 14th, 11:17

ara x jigrilu min jghola hafna kont tara l kulhadd dubien int simon. Hasbuk li kont ha tkun is savataur u fallejt bil kbir. Hu tghalima min Joseph Muscat u uri rispett misthoq lil min ikun ikun jidibatti mghiek

Ray Camilleri

Mar 14th, 11:17

Sorry BUT all must go and that means Simon as well if a new image is to be developed. Simon you made a name in Brussels and so do noy resign that place BUT STAY THERE.

Brian Grima

Mar 14th, 11:15

U ejja vera SB.....!

Jason Zammit

Mar 14th, 11:13

i dont agree that Simon is put aside...tinsewx Hbieb Simon niezel mil Genna (Brussels) biex jigi go infern ( Kampanja eletorali diga mitlufa ) To help PN , WE DONT NEED TO BLAME SIMON, HE ONLY DID WHAT HE COULD .....

Ghallkemm li nixtieq nara lil Ann Fenech bhala kap tal PN xorta naqbel li De Marco, Busitill u Chris Said ghandom jithlu fit tigrija ghal Kap

Peter Busuttil

Mar 14th, 11:13

I'm sorry but I don't agree here that Mario DeMarco should become leader of the NP. He was part of the team that led to last Saturday's landslide. The person elected should be someone who was not a Nationalist parliamentarian, especially a parliamentarian during these last 5 years. He or she should be someone outside the box, so to speak. Someone young and full of energy.

j brincat

Mar 14th, 11:07

How can he contest the leadership post after the disastrous and humiliating defeat IN which he was deputy leader and he had boasted that he had written the manifesto which did not impress anybody?


jb

R Mizzi

Mar 14th, 11:06

Inheggek tikkontesta ghal leader simon halli hames snin ohra tiehdu tkaxkira akbar!

M camilleri

Mar 14th, 11:05

Likbar zball ta Simon kien li qabad il vapur ta Gonzi Fil waqt li minn kien iktar wise qad galarija ghax kien jaf li ha jereq..Isma minni Simon mur min fejn gejt ghal gid tieghek stess qed nejdlek ghax issa ha iduruk dawra u bgaranzija li laqas ghal euwropa ma titla..Fidejk issa aqbad il vapur it tajjeb u haliek mil hmerijiet ghax lewwel tigi il familja.

Silvan Said

Mar 14th, 11:03

Backbenchers like Mr Arrigo should also bear responsibility. It was their duty to be the medium between the people and the government. Had they done their job and united and applied pressure on Dr Gonzi and his cabinet to listen to the people's concerns the PN would not have lost so badly. The govt did its job well but the party did not. And that includes the backbenchers.

T. Caruana

Mar 14th, 11:02

Dear Simon. you have an ecellent diplomatic record in Brusells. The moment you were brought over in local politics meant that the prty in government was desperate for a face tht had trust. People they saw the move at facial value. people no longer look t fces. they cut off heads.

Adriano Spiteri

Mar 14th, 11:00

How can Simon Busuttil claim to shoulder responsibility when he would like to resign from deputy leader and keep wondering whether to attempt becoming leader?

A new Nationalist party cannot be taken seriously with Simon Busuttil in its fold.

matthew tanti

Mar 14th, 10:59

trid tkun wiccek tost biex int ilek fil-gvern snin u tigi twahhal f'simon busuttil li dahal fl-ahhar ftit xhur, bhala dak li qallu l-PN tilef l-elezzjoni fl-ahhar 3 xhur! ghax ma jghidx robert arrigo li qed jipprova jelimina rivali mid-distrett tieghu!

Ian Ellul

Mar 14th, 10:59

Meta Joseph Muscat semma t-terramot hames snin ilu, ghamlu xalata jistaqsu fejnu!

Issa raw wiehed ta' 55% fuq l-iskala popolari u tsunami ta' 37,000 vot!

Dizastru ikbar minn dan, epiku ta' proporzjon bibliku u caqlieq ta' kontinenti li sehh ftit jiem ilu bil-fors ihalli lil-klikka PN isaqsi quo vadis!

Edward Zammit

Mar 14th, 10:59

I do not agree that Simon should be put aside. This slide started in 2008 when NP won by a mere 1500 votes when Simon was not here. Some ministers were too engrossed in pushing their own personal agenda and failing to re-act on legitimate claims for redress by those NP supporters who remained loyal after 2008. If there are four MPs capable as Prime Minister, Simon is one of them.

B. Cachia

Mar 14th, 10:56

Accepting political responsibility for lack of success means that one delivers one's post to electors so that they can choose another person. It doesn't mean immediately seeking a higher office instead of the lower one that one has not succeeded in. Internal power of incumbency might allow Busuttil to force his way through should he want to, but at what cost to an already weakened party?

carl Barthet

Mar 14th, 10:55

Bravo Dr Busutill.

We expect you not to contest the leadership too.

Joe Muscat

Mar 14th, 10:53

I honestly thought that SB would have made the difference when the PN brought him in as deputy leader....Unfortunately he just gave us more of the same...I hope for the PL's sake he will become the leader of the PN... I predict he won't even get close to the leadership...If the PN knows any better...

Gervais M. Cishahayo

Mar 14th, 10:53

It was a deservered ward for your work to stir Malta into the EU : the Maltese confirmed their aspirations in the EU referendum and the election that followed. You won record votes in MEP elections and you were doing very well in Brussels in the EU stage. How is it that you were easily willingly politically ambushed to carry a cross meant for others who ignored the 2008 elections warning?

twanny borg

Mar 14th, 10:46

Simon ghandu jkun kap tal-partit. Ghin lil partit l-aktar meta kellu bzonn f'dik li hija kampanja. Pero ma kellux sehem fit-tmexxija tal-pajjiz. In-nies riedu bidla akkost ta' kollox pero simon kien konvincenti. Il-blogs tal-pl hekk jixtiequ li jitlaq ghax fi ftit jiem harbathom anki kellhom jibdlu l-vici kap.

A Abela

Mar 14th, 10:40

Simon busuttil imissu jirrezenja minn kollox. Fl 2008 kien inkarigat mill prog elettorali tal pn u telu imkaxkrin, fl elezzjoni tal mep kien inkarigat mill kampanja u pn ha tkaxkira nobis, u 2013 kien inkarigat mill kampanja u l programm u il pn qatt ma kien umiljat daqshekk. Simon impakketat tajjeb imma never delivers. Ergo warrab pls

Freddie Micallef

Mar 14th, 10:40

Ghamel pjacir lil partit tieghek Simon u tohrog ghal l ebda kariga..halli lil haddiehor hemm materjal bizzejjed u hu il parir li tghak siehbek s Sur Arrigo

Frans Aguis

Mar 14th, 10:39

That's what happens when you accept a role and agree to regurgitate written scripts and recycle attacks all for the idea of getting a lot of power very quickly

Kurt Magro

Mar 14th, 10:36

Jien Nazzjonalist ... Nidikjara li jekk Simon ikun elett kap tal- partit ikunu tilfu vot iehor tieghi ... u b Simon kap Nemmen li telfa tkun ta 50,000 ....

Noel Abela

Mar 14th, 10:32

In my opinion, Dr, Mario De Marco is the PN's only choice for leader. That is, if he accepts to contest.
We should all be worried about a weak opposition. Just as we had cause to worry about a weak labour opposition in the past. Always, the inevitable happens, and always at our cost.

John L Galea

Mar 14th, 10:30

No don't leave Simon...with you as leader the PL will be in power for a very long time.

Alan Deidun

Mar 14th, 10:29

Whilst respecting your decision Simon, I sincerely hope that you still remain within the PN's official fold - i.e. that you still occupy some form of position within the PN - since your unstinting service and dedication are needed at this point in time. You are an asset, despite the numerous attempts to malign and vilify you - Simon let's not take brash decisions, as you rightly stated yesterday

E Bonello

Mar 14th, 10:29

PT4. Who have done so much damage, & no we don’t want reconciliation with FD, JPO, etc. these people are of the past we want new faces. If you ignore the nationalist voters plea this party will be doomed for a disaster. It will be the new OLD MLP.

E Bonello

Mar 14th, 10:28

PT3. I honestly hope that the party will not ignore the people’s voice one more time & elect a leader to suite those who are within. So many nationalist voters had done the ultimate sacrifice and voted labour to eliminate the current top people within the party

E Bonello

Mar 14th, 10:28

PT2. firmly believe that Mario De Marco has the credentials & leader qualities to lead this party and open the doors for all those nationalist who want to participate & help the party find its roots again.

E Bonello

Mar 14th, 10:27

PT1.Good & please take note stay away from the leadership post, if this party really wants to give back the party to the same people who made it the glorious party it was in the past, then the people who will be voting for the new leader, must listen and take into account what the nationalist voters really wants. No disrespect to other candidates but I like many other faithful nationalists

Pippo de Marco

Mar 14th, 10:26

After your weak performance in the election campaign, don't bother.

I thought you could have made a difference, but I was wrong.

Aaron Debattista

Mar 14th, 10:26

I think Simon lacks the authority and charisma for a leadership position (though I think he has good skills and knowledge). A party's leader needs those things to be effective. Joseph Muscat is an excellent example of such a leader. The man invokes respect from his supporters just with his presence. In the case of PN I'm positive that they have more suitable individuals for the role of leader.

Charles Mangion

Mar 14th, 10:25

Good Decision Simon you got till tomorrow to give your parliamentary seats and return to Brussels

A.Felix Busuttil

Mar 14th, 10:22

great news, You are more valid in Brussels

matin calleya

Mar 14th, 10:20

PLEASE SIMON GO 2 THE EU PARLAIMENT-MALTA NEEDS U THERE. THE PN PARTY NEEDS NEW PEOPLE FROM THIS ELECTION. U R INTELLIGENT, BUT I SEE U BETER OFF AS IN THE EU PARLAIMENT, RATHER THAN IN THE PARTY IN MALTA. U R 2 GOOD 2 B OUR LEADER. WE NEED SOMEONE THAT IS TOUGH. I C U AS A VERY SOFT PERSON. I D'NT C YOU AS A PERSON WHO CAN COMMAND.ALSO MANY ARE STILL HURT BY YOUR PASSIVENESS TO THE COSTITUENTS

joe micallef

Mar 14th, 10:20

Oh Boy how sublime He is after the top seat!

Francis Saliba M.D.

Mar 14th, 10:17

Simon Busuttil is perfectly correct to refuse to act as a scapegoat to carry on his shoulders, the sins of others, and then disappear into the wilderness.

anthony sultana

Mar 14th, 10:12

PN is never going to make a come back in this modern world ,they fail to understand the mind of the modern people of today, They are bunch of conservatives with old ideology . PN is expired .We want to have liberty ,so definitely Malta is a liberal country. PN should change it's name after this huge defeat,because next election the people are going to look at you from their nose.

John Mifsud

Mar 14th, 10:11

Agree 100%, & he should have added, too, that he will neither contest the leadership post.

The PN's electoral results (including for the EU) from 2008 to 2013 have shown to one & all that Dr Busuttil lacks the midas touch.

Nyal Xuereb

Mar 14th, 10:10

Just go back to Brussels where you were doing a great job.

Joseph Cutajar

Mar 14th, 10:10

Il-Partit Nazzjonalista ghandu bzonn lil Simon, bniedem li minkejja li kien jaf li sa jigi attakkat f'kaz ta' telfa, hareg ghonqu xorta u ghamel li seta' f'cirkostanzi mpossibbli.

A Vella

Mar 14th, 10:07

LOL nahseb ahjar jamel spazju ghal haddiehor

Sharon Pisani

Mar 14th, 10:02

maybe for leader?

Charles Bayliss

Mar 14th, 10:01

Dr Busuttil should be thrown out of the party and make him forfeit his 2 seats from the 9th and 10th. He has shown that he is not realiable at all. How can a person lie this throw his name for a party leadership contest?

Paul Borg

Mar 14th, 10:00

Pity that the culture of resignations was not upheld when they were in government and responsible for certain fiascos !!

Joseph Borg

Mar 14th, 09:54

The more he speaks, the more he divides the PN. He is taking a different approach than the reasonable ones taken by Gonzi and Borg Olivier. I wonder why!

Arrigo must have been mistaken big time to even dream of removing the clique.