By nominating Speaker Louis Galea to the European Court of Auditors, the Prime Minister was getting rid of the best elements in his party, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.
Speaking about the political implications of Dr Galea's nomination as Malta's nominee to the European Court of Auditors, Dr Muscat said the government, especially in Parliament, was in a precarious situation.
"After John Dalli, the Prime Minister got rid of Louis Galea. I don't know whether he made the choice for the country's good or whether he is concerned about his government's stability," he said.
Dr Muscat, who was speaking during a radio interview, wished Dr Galea all the best on his nomination.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's government would not have achieved a majority vote if Parliament had taken a vote on several issues such as legal assistance during interrogation, the extension to St John's Cathedral museum and, last Wednesday, the extension to the Delimara power station.
Although Parliament could not vote on the motion presented by the opposition on Wednesday because of procedure, the government would have lost it had a vote been taken, Dr Muscat said.
"The government would have lost, and not by one vote. It was clear through certain comments Nationalist MPs made about the extension that they did not agree with it," he said.
On Thursday, amid much controversy, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority approved the outline development permit for the extension of the power station.
Dr Muscat believes the government stepped in and had a say in this decision.
"I can't understand how Mepa pre-empted the discussion on the extension when Parliament is still waiting the results of the Auditor General's investigation," he said.
During Thursday's hearing, Mepa board member and Labour MP Roderick Galdes asked the planning authority to postpone the decision but no one had the courage to back his proposal, Dr Muscat said.
"I have no doubt about the way the planning authority and the government acted; the reform was drowned before it was even launched."
Turning to Air Malta, which last week announced losses of €31 million, Dr Muscat said he was worried about the situation, especially if it was going to benefit from state aid.
Any agreement with the EU to support Air Malta should not be used as an excuse to sell the company, he said. "Air Malta is not for sale and I will never accept it."
The Finance Ministry said in reaction that Air Malta was strategic to the national interest and would not be sold. Because of its strategic role, the government was planning to help it through a recapitalisation plan, the ministry said.