Updated 10.35 p.m. - Franco Debono again says he will abstain
The executive council of the Nationalist Party has been asked by MP Franco Debono to discuss his warning that he will abstain in the vote to be held in Parliament on a motion calling for Transport Minister Austin Gatt to resign over the bus service reform.
The meeting is expected to be held tomorrow.
Dr Debono said last week that he would abstain unless Dr Gatt assumed political responsibility for what had happened. He did not specifically call for his resignation.
Dr Debono would not confirm that he had asked the council to discuss his warning, but he told timesofmalta.com this morning that he still intended to abstain.
In the evening, when asked during a One TV discussion programme whether abstention was his final position, Dr Debono reiterated that he will abstain.
Dr Gatt last Saturday held a press conference where he announced major changes to the route network and took the blame for what had happened.
On Sunday, Dr Debono, reacting to comments saying he formed part of a political party comparable to a football team, said: “Yes, the Constitution consists of the rules of the democratic political game, within which individual teams – parties – operate. In a democracy, politicians’ loyalty is first and foremost towards the democratic game – the constitution – then the team, the party.”
“Team spirit and party loyalty are very important but they are eroded by arrogance. Arrogance is not just one of the greatest enemies of any political party, but also of democracy itself.”
Referring to Dr Gatt's press conference, he said that the change of stance showed that party loyalty was very important, but it should not be misused as a pretext or a carte blanche allowing ministers to arrogantly steamroll over everyone, including Parliament, relying on blind support from backbenchers. "This is the spirit of the Constitution. Political parties are intended to enhance and operate within democracy, not bypass it,” he said.
MPs Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Jesmond Mugliett have so far also refused to declare their stand.
When asked whether his position was tenable if the Labour Party’s parliamentary motion calling for his resignation passes, Dr Gatt yesterday said: “It’s obvious, I will have to resign”.
Dr Debono said that while he respected those MPs who voiced their opinion, albeit anonymously, his declaration that he may abstain “was possibly a determining factor” which led to “a reality check” and, eventually, “a change of stance”.
“Whenever I spoke and took a stand... I was never anonymous. I had the courage to show my face and make my voice heard,” he added.
He expressed hope that this episode results in acting as a catalyst for constitutional reforms, including strengthening parliament and democracy in general.