Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s apparent support for embattled Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia is simply a ploy to create further discord within the PN, according to Godfrey Farrugia, the leader of the Democratic Party, which forms part of the Opposition.
“Joseph Muscat’s real aim is to fuel further dissent within the Opposition which will obviously remain paralysed as long as Adrian Delia insists on leading it,” Dr Farrugia told The Sunday Times of Malta.
“In such a scenario, where the people are being constantly distracted by the ongoing soap opera within DeliaPN, our country is being plundering by the incumbent government which goes on with impunity. This spillage is largely below the radar,” he said.
Dr Delia has been linked to a money laundering investigation, questions have been raised about his personal financial situation and he has lately faced domestic violence accusations by his estranged wife. A number of PN MPs are known to have lost confidence in him, although none will say so publicly.
Last week Dr Muscat entered the debate about Dr Delia’s leadership when he told a Labour Party activity: “The people elected a leader and it is clear the powers-that-be in the [Nationalist] party do not respect that decision. This betrays a mindset where democracy is only relevant if you like what the people have decided.”
Dr Farrugia added: “Dr Muscat’s ‘Labour’ government masquerades as the bulwark of democracy by outwardly supporting the ‘democratic’ process, which saw Dr Delia into the PN leadership.
“It is becoming increasingly obvious with each passing day that the Prime Minister is practising total disregard for the upholding of the institutions and pillars that support a thriving democratic State. His strategic actions and inactions in practice are continuously and undoubtedly proving him in contempt of the very democracy he is posturing to uphold.”
Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi has also raised the point that some “supposed opponents” were offering advice to Dr Delia.
The Opposition will remain paralysed as long as Adrian Delia insists on leading it
Writing on Facebook, Dr Azzopardi said: “Have you ever heard in football, say, the Roma coach giving advice or defending his Lazio counterpart? Or the Manchester United coach defending/advising the Liverpool coach? Or the Real Madrid coach advising/defending the Barcellona coach? Or Valletta’s coach advising Floriana’s coach? Of course not. Not unless they have a hidden agreement to safeguard their common interests.”
Dr Azzopardi’s comment came shortly after Robert Musumeci, a government consultant and former PN mayor who is now firmly in Labour’s camp, told Times Talk that the PN leader had to act quickly and be decisive if he was to curtail ongoing dissent within his own party.
Dr Delia referred directly to Dr Azzopardi’s Facebook post during an interview on Net TV, saying the MP had some soul-searching to do. “If he really thinks that, then he must see whether his position within the PN is tenable,” he said.
Dr Azzopardi later downplayed his comment, insisting with the Times of Malta that his football-themed Facebook post was directed towards “Labour loyalists”.
“All I said was that the PN should make up its own mind. Advice from opponents is worthless,” he said. “Adrian didn’t take it badly at all.”
Desmond Zammit Marmarà, however, a Labour Party Balzan local councillor, defended Dr Muscat’s support for Dr Delia, saying Labour stood for democracy.
“Adrian Delia was elected as the leader of the Nationalist Party by the paid-up members through a totally transparent and democratic process. Therefore, the anti-Delia faction within the PN, as well as some who have left the party and are militating against Delia from outside, are showing total contempt for democracy and want to impose their opinion on the majority who have voted for Adrian Delia to be the Nationalist Party leader.
“They try to justify their actions by citing a number of serious allegations (not solid proof) against Adrian Delia, including domestic violence and a connection to money-laundering from the proceeds of prostitution. However, one has to ask whether it would be right to have Malta’s top politicians being removed every time there is a serious allegation brought up against them. Would this be fair? Would it be practical?”
He accused the anti-Delia faction within the PN of “disloyalty and cowardice” since they undermine their leader without having the courage to do so openly.
“Labour stands for democracy, political loyalty and transparency. Therefore, one has to condemn the shady, Machiavellian back-stabbing of Adrian Delia,” Mr Marmara said.
Carmel Cacopardo, chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika, gave a brief reply when asked for his interpretation of Dr Muscat’s apparent support for Dr Delia.
“Adrian Delia has too many skeletons in his cupboard. Consequently, he is the ideal opponent as he will inevitably tend to generally follow the advice issued to those in a glasshouse.”