Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday dismissed reports he would resign as Prime Minister if the Nationalist Party won the forthcoming election.
We can go to the people proud with our achievements and track record
“I will continue to serve as long as I enjoy the trust of the party and the people,” Dr Gonzi said when asked by The Times. “A safe pair of hands does not leave the rudder before or after an election.”
With a smile on his face, he noted that, in February, he obtained the support of 97 per cent of PN councillors when he submitted his leadership to the test.
Dr Gonzi was taking part in a question-and-answer session with three journalists on the Granaries in Floriana as part of the PN Independence Day celebrations. To enjoy the trust of the councillors was a privilege, Dr Gonzi added, and it was a greater privilege to be given the people’s mandate to lead the country.
Later during the discussion, he said the Labour media “invented stories” hinting at news reports yesterday on One TV and maltastar.com that he would announce his resignation as leader during today’s mass meeting.
An upbeat Dr Gonzi said the Government achieved positive results for the country despite facing “storms from without and within”.
“We can go to the people proud with our achievements and track record,” he said.
On the PN’s troubles in Parliament and the no confidence votes the Government had to face throughout this legislature, Dr Gonzi said he continued to have full confidence in former minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and former EU envoy Richard Cachia Caruana.
Asked whether he was ready to sacrifice Health Minister Joe Cassar to continue with the legislature if backbencher Franco Debono lived up to his word and presented a no confidence motion, Dr Gonzi said he would answer when “the moment was right”.
He called for sensitivity when asked about criticism by the gay lobby group that felt let down by the cohabitation Bill presented this month.
He insisted that for the PN marriage was between a man and a woman but still the party could not ignore reality and had to respect other forms of relationships. That was why the Government presented a cohabitation Bill, he added, to give protection to those involved in different forms of relationships.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com