News • 8 June 2003

Early election to remove MLP administration dubious

The initiative by former GWU militant Ronnie Pellegrini and Alfred Sant aficionado Miriam Spiteri Debono may well miss the target of ousting the present MLP administration.

Party delegates told MaltaToday that Alfred Sant does not appear to be behind the petition presented by his two acolytes although they argue it may well be a tactical smokescreen.

A number of individuals close to the Sant camp have expressed their interest in the top two posts - general secretary and president. Pro-reform delegates speaking to

MaltaToday said the freshly-elected deputy leaders, Michael Falzon and Charles Mangion have not had the time to motion their own people for the running.

For the pro-reformers this may not be the right time to change the current administration, which is up for re-election in January.

Pellegrini and Spiteri Debono have gathered enough signatures to force an extraordinary general conference, but they are currently trying to muster the support of the party’s national executive.

Sources told MaltaToday that it looks unlikely that they will garner enough support in the executive. It remains to be seen whether Pellegrini and Spiteri Debono will continue pursuing their aim.

If they do, the two would have to explain their actions in a general conference and delegates would be called to vote on whether to hold new elections for the administration before the customary January general meeting.

MaltaToday can reveal that many delegates that signed the petition, are annoyed that the reasons behind the initiative organised by Pellegrini and Spiteri Debono were not explained to them.

The next executive meeting promises some rowdy scenes with the present administration unwilling to go down without a fight. One of the individuals who hasn’t been able to come to terms with the treatment meted out to him, is Manwel Cuschieri. He is said to be irked at the way some of those who encouraged him to be militant and virulent are now questioning his style.

Cuschieri’s absence from Super One and the Mile End HQ as well as his seemingly depressed mood have led many to confirm their worse fears: that in politics everyone is dispensable and disposable.