Friends and political foes heaped praise on Lawrence Gonzi today following his resignation from the post of Opposition leader.
Speaker Anglu Farrugia said the Chair wished to thank Dr Gonzi for his service to the House as Speaker, Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.
Dr Farrugia noted that Dr Gonzi had served with distinction as Speaker and then served as minister, prime minister and, briefly, as leader of the opposition.
He thanked Dr Gonzi and wished him well.
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said Dr Gonzi had served more than 25 years in the House in various posts. He was a true statesman who always put the country before any other consideration. He had been one of the shapers of a modern European nation and had left his post with the country in a better state than he had found it.
He recalled how Dr Gonzi had become prime minister a few days before Malta joined the EU and had distinguished himself as Malta went through the difficult process of adjusting itself to EU membership, the adoption of the euro and membership of the Schengen area.
Dr Gonzi had piloted several other important reforms including the privatisation of the dockyard, restructuring of Air Malta and the restructuring of pensions. All involved tough decisions and a political price, but the country had benefited from them.
Dr Gonzi had also forged an economic model based on jobs, health and education.
His last major achievement was to ensure that Malta would receive €1.12 billion in EU aid over the next seven years. This was his legacy to the country.
Dr Busuttil also recalled Dr Gonzi's 'important and courageous' decisions during the Libyan uprising and the respect he earned in the meetings of EU heads of government.
Dr Gonzi had made Malta a model for other European countries, Dr Busuttil said.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said Dr Gonzi had given a lot to the country and he would be pleased if Dr Gonzi opted to change his mind and stay in parliament, where he could continue to contribute to the country.
Dr Gonzi joined the list of prime ministers, particularly those since Independence who had built the nation. As prime minister Dr Gonzi had given a valid contribution in the social to the economic sectors and, as he had declared in the past, the government would continue to build on the good it had found, Dr Muscat said.
Dr Gonzi had also drawn the people's admiration as Speaker and also as president of the National Commission, Persons with Disability. He had managed to bring the issues involving persons with disability to the fore of the national agenda.
It was also worth recalling how as Speaker, Dr Gonzi, with Dr George Vella and Prof Guido de Marco, had given birth to the House committees which had developed as an important tool in house business and which needed to continue to be developed.
Dr Muscat said he also wished to pay tribute to former prime minister Alfred Sant, now that he was no longer in the House. He too had given an important contribution to the country and to parliamentary debate.
Concluding, Dr Muscat said he also wished to convey his greetings to Mrs Gonzi, whom he remembered for her eye for detail, and he was sure Dr Gonzi's political success was also due to Mrs Gonzi and their family.
It had not been easy to face Dr Gonzi, Dr Muscat said, but it was an honour to face him and to work with him. He augured that he would have the same relationship with Dr Busuttil as he had with Dr Gonzi.
Replying, Dr Gonzi thanked the House and said he never felt embarrassed in the House as much as today.
It had been a privilege for him to hold all the posts of the House. The Maltese people, unfortunately, were divided on almost anything, yet they had the extraordinary capacity of creating a great little country with generous social and health services.
His appeal, he said, was that the guiding light of one and all should be the people's enormous abilities and their extraordinary kindness.
He conveyed his best wishes to Dr Farrugia, saying his position in the Chair was a difficult one and all MPs should work for parliament to gain more respect from the people.
He thanked Dr Muscat for his respect in all circumstances. To be prime minister was not easy and he wished him well in the discharge of his responsibilities.
The Opposition, he was sure, would disagree with the government on many things, but this side of the House wanted the best for the country and would go about its duties in a constructive manner.
Dr Gonzi said his period as head of the Commission for persons with disability was the most satisfying. That was, more than any other time, a period where one sought what a person could do, not what he could not do, a principle which should apply to everyone.
Dr Gonzi said he still had to decide about his future but he would continue to support the party and help it in its transition while being loyal to its principles. He wished the best to Dr Busuttil and thanked the whole House for this evening's event.