Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi admitted yesterday that his government lost its majority in Parliament in last week’s vote but promptly pointed out that that MP Franco Debono’s abstention was “not the end of the world”.
He later announced his decision to put his party leadership on the line and seek a vote of confidence by secret ballot in an election which he invited others to contest.
His announcement was met by a standing ovation, as he pledged he was ready to continue leading the party and the country to the end of his electoral mandate and open up the party to “all those who are ready to work with us”.
He delivered a passionate speech at the party’s extraordinary general conference, constantly being interrupted by applause and standing ovations.
“I admit we did not get a majority of votes because one of our MPs abstained. He did not vote with the opposition but abstained. It’s not the end of the world. There are some decisions which not everyone has liked. It’s only part of politics. I don’t agree with the method and style he used to show dissent but it’s not the end of the world,” he said.
At the beginning of the hour-long speech he was given a warm welcome which included chants of support from those present. Putting his hand on his heart he admitted to having made some bad decisions and others which could have been taken differently.
“We made mistakes. Of course we made mistakes. There were things which could have been done differently. We have our results as our guarantees. In hindsight I could have taken different decisions and could have done things better.”
Dr Debono’s abstention was causing difficulties because it cast doubt on whether the government could carry on with its work.
“Do I deserve to continue leading this country?” he asked, receiving loud applause and a standing ovation.
“This situation requires political maturity and wisdom. What is right has to be what is best for the country.”
Dr Gonzi accused Dr Muscat of creating instability, sowing doubts and uncertainty. He listed his government’s achievements over the past four years as it battled the financial and economic crises and the situation in Libya. “Nothing was a coincidence.”
Malta was not like Greece, Portugal or Spain or those countries that were raising university fees or reducing pensions, he said proudly.
He took offence at a comparison by Dr Muscat to the 1981 government, when Labour governed, despite having won a minority of votes at the general election.
“He had the cheek to compare my democratically elected government to this. This is indecency and scandalous. This opposition is worse than the old Labour opposition because it is lying about something historical.”
Many soldiers but only one general- Tonio Borg
Addressing the general conference against a new white backdrop etched with just the words Partit Nationalista, PN Deputy Leader Tonio Borg said the party could have many soldiers but only one general.
“This party is like a piece of mosaic. There is space for everyone but it has to be united and no one and nothing is more important than the party and its ideals. United means one leader. There can be many soldiers but only one general,” he said.
He said the person who filed the no-confidence motion, PL deputy leader Anġlu Farrugia, did not even speak in Parliament.
“The truth is Joseph Muscat thought he was going to enter Parliament as an Opposition Leader and leave as Prime Minister but it did not happen . . .”
The PN, he said, wanted the law on party financing, filed as a private members’ Bill by Dr Debono, in place and was ready to debate it.
Choice between individual and common good- Paul Borg Olivier
PN general secretary Paul Borg Olivier said the extraordinary circumstances which led to the convening of the general council necessitated a clear choice on the direction the party was taking – a declaration of support for Dr Gonzi.
In the wake of recent developments, the PN had to make a clear choice – “a choice between us and me, a choice between the individual and common good.”
Everybody, he said, knew what the PN stood for while no one knew anything about the “new era” which Dr Muscat was proposing.
This was the time for a clear choice on leadership, between a careful and experienced Prime Minister and a Leader of the Opposition with no programme or track record.
Dr Borg Olivier heaped praise on his party leader for having, through the various difficulties, never lost his focus on job creation, for his love for the country, for the confidence he always showed in its people, and for his humanity. His leadership, he said, was inspirational.
On the contrary, he said, Dr Muscat was hungry for power. He lost the vote in Parliament but “arrogantly” said he had won.