Nationalist Party deputy leader Tonio Borg said yesterday that the Nationalist Party was given a mandate to govern for the next five years and, despite the recent stumbling blocks in Parliament, it will continue to carry out that mandate in the country's best interest.
Addressing the first session of the party's general conference at the party headquarters in Pietà, Dr Borg criticised the Labour Party for its attitude in Parliament, saying that, because it did not manage to block a vote by Nationalist MP's by claiming a conflict of interest, it wanted to win a vote on the basis of MP Mario Galea's mistake, something that was corrected immediately.
"Serious Members of Parliament do not act like children, neither within Parliament nor outside. We have been trying to cooperate with the opposition and we will continue to do so. But democratic rules apply for everyone. I am sorry the opposition withdrew from the Select Committee on strengthening democracy and I hope it revises its decision," he said.
Dr Borg's comments on the Parliament incidents echoed those of Justice Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici, who, addressing the general conference, said no ruling or calls for divisions would stop the party from taking the important decisions which need to be taken in the country's best interest.
The incidents, when the opposition refused to respect an agreement it had struck with the government on voting, forcing the Chair to use his casting vote when the vote tied, were referred to by a number of speakers at the conference, with many saying they were a sign of things to come.
Earlier, PN general secretary Paul Borg Olivier said 2009 was not only a challenging year for the country but also for the party, in its efforts to strengthen itself and remain closer to people.
The party had taken on board the "doable" Vision 2015, on which it was basing its policies and the bulk of its work.
He announced that, as part of its efforts to renew itself, the party will, in the coming weeks, embark on a programme of dialogue. It will also strengthen its local council office. It will also update and restructure its communication methods, including its TV and radio stations, its newspaper and online news portal.
Michael Mercieca, who returned to the party after an absence of five years, said the party should set up a specific structure to bring back those who had stopped contributing to the party, because all these people want is to be involved and feel part of the country's and the party's success.
The delegates voted for the 13 members of the party's national executive. Of the 24 candidates, the following were elected: Karol Aquilina, John Bonello, Paul Borg Olivier, Janice Chetcuti, Henri Darmanin, Jean Pierre Debono, Trevor Degiorgio, Caroline Galea, Michelle Mallia, Malcolm Mifsud, Marthese Portelli, Pierre Portelli and Victor Scerri.
In a reaction to Dr Borg's comments, the Labour Party said the PN deputy leader had opted to be partisan and attack Labour. This he did instead of coming up with an apology to MP Justyne Caruana for the "lie" about her in Parliament last week, the PL said.