Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this afternoon that he would be taking initiatives in the coming days to ensure that the Nationalist Party was fully behind the government.

Speaking less than an hour after a no-confidence motion was defeated when Franco Debono abstained and the Speaker used his casting vote, Dr Gonzi said the country needed to stay focused on its real priorities, which were consolidating the economy and job creation.

The no confidence vote was defeated because there was no majority behind it, he said. Joseph Muscat had failed in his ambition to become prime minister.

A prime minister was appointed when he had the backing of the people, not when he made use of somebody else’s vote.

A prime minster was appointed on the basis of   a serious programme, which Dr Muscat lacked. 

Dr Gonzi said the priority for the country now was to remain focused on job creation, attracting investment, creating wealth, being competitive and sustaining social benefits, education and health .

Even after his speech this morning, it was clear that Dr Muscat had no alternative programme for government, Dr Gonzi said.   

The prime minister said he  would continue to do what he had been doing – working in the interest of the country.

On Monday he would attend an important EU summit and report to the House on Wednesday.

Dr Gonzi said the situation in Malta was not a bed of roses. To progress, he had to have the PN fully behind him  and therefore, in the coming days he would take internal initiatives  to ensure that all the members of the party were with him.