Opposition leader Simon Busuttil hinted that they will not back the nomination of outgoing Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella for European Commissioner.
Addressing a political activity in Għajnsielem, he lashed out at the Prime Minister following yesterday’s reshuffle branding the appointment of Konrad Mizzi as Health and Energy Minister as “an insult”.
Regarding the nomination of Karmenu Vella, the PN leader said that once he was not consulted on this matter, the PM should not expect the backing of the Opposition, while accusing him of again taking them “for granted”.
Describing the reshuffle as “extraordinary news”, Dr Busuttil said this normally took place more into the legislature and not just after a year. This was usually done to make amends for cabinet members who were not performing or others who stepped down.
He criticised the PM for not giving an explanation to the people and for not facing the media soon after his decisions.
The Opposition leader asked why the PM opted for such a large reshuffle having previously pledged to have the best cabinet ever. “This makes this the second best Cabinet in history, by the PM’s reasoning” Dr Busuttil said.
He said that this reshuffle dealt the final blow for the Malta Taghna Lkoll slogan, saying that “even cabinet members feel that you cannot work with the PM”.
Dr Busuttil said that the reshuffle also dealt a fatal blow to the “movement of moderates and progressives” saying that this was only “an electoral gimmick” meant to attract voters.
He said that Dr Farrugia’s resignation letter proved that the Malta Taghna Lkoll slogan was a failure.
This reshuffle was forced by the spate of resignations, as it was meant to take place later this week following the appointment of Marie Louise Coleiro Preca as President, he said.
Dr Busuttil also lashed out at the PM for keeping Franco Mercieca’s resignation under wraps for several weeks.
"Mr Mercieca and Dr Farrugia feel that they had been betrayed," the PN leader said.
Dr Busuttil said that the Prime Minister lost the opportunity to downsize the cabinet which was costing €100 million.
Focusing on the health sector, he said that the developments were worrying as this was downgraded to a parliamentary secretariat, days after the PM pledged to give utmost priority to this sector.
Dr Busuttil raised questions about having energy and health under the same ministerial portfolio.
He criticised Minister Konrad Mizzi for adopting a divisive attitude, and not being interested to reach national consensus. He branded Dr Mizzi’s appointment as “an insult” after he decided in favour of mooring a gas storage facility in Marsaxlokk, posing a threat for the nearby villages.
Dr Busuttil said that this would also pose a conflict of interest as the Occupational Health and Safety had been placed within the same ministry.
“This will erode all the powers of the safety watchdog” Dr Busuttil argued.
The PN leader warned that health services should not be privatised, on the same lines Enemalta’s electricity generation sector.
Dr Busuttil said that the PM should have relieved Manuel Mallia and Anton Refalo following the controversies surrounding them in the first year of the Labour government.
Touching on the appointment of Michael Falzon who will be responsible for planning, he expressed his wish that he would do much better than his predecessor Michael Farrugia. He said that in the last 12 months the government had openly interfered in planning authority decisions.
PN leader Simon Busuttil said that Gozitans should ask themselves whether they had benefitted from the first year of the Labour government, especially in employment and job creation. He also asked whether business and the Gozitan economy had performed better in the last 12 months. Dr Busuttil also asked whether had happened to the plan for a permanent link between Malta and Gozo.
The PN leader said that Gozitans can give their judgment in the forthcoming European Parliament elections.
Dr Busuttil reiterated that the PN's decision to support the nomination of Ms Coleiro Preca for President, was testament to the PN’s political maturity and commitment in favour of national unity.
He added that the Opposition was taking a constructive approach, saying that out of 25 laws enacted in the past year, the Opposition only voted against on four occasions.