Franco Debono finding it hard to say ‘no’

Nationalist MP still mulling decision whether to contest but admits he’s finding it ‘difficult’ to tell his supporters ‘no’.

28 January 2013, 12:00am
by Miriam Dalli

1 min read

MP keeps everyone guessing whether he'll be submitting his nomination for the 9 March election.

While the Electoral Commission has started receiving the nominations for 9 March general elections, Nationalist MP Franco Debono is still deciding whether to contest the elections or not.

Although he seemingly wants to keep everyone guessing until the last minute - i.e. until Wednesday when the nominations close - he told MaltaToday that he was finding it "difficult" to tell his supporters "no".

"I wouldn't like to let the people down and I am finding it very difficult to say no," the Ghaxaq MP said today.

"There are hundreds who have expressed their trust in me and urged me to contest the election. This is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to take."

If he makes up his mind, Debono would only be contesting the fifth district - the same district he has been contesting since he was 24.

"My adult life was characterised by elections, having contested for the first time 15 years ago." He added that there were already hundreds ready to become members of his party.

The MP - who says there is a draft statute ready for the 'People's Party For Democratic Reform' - added that residents of the fifth district felt hurt.

"Residents of Birzebbugia and Marsaxlokk were the worst hit by government's decision to opt for heavy fuel oil for the extension of the Delimara power station," he said.

Debono added that Nationalists who have not yet switched alliances are finding it hard to justify certain decisions taken by the PN administration which were "indefensible". He went on to refer to MaltaToday's revelation of kickbacks paid over Enemalta oil purchases.

Miriam Dalli joined MaltaToday.com.mt in 2010 becoming assistant editor f...

More from Miriam Dalli

•

I am sure that Il-Bully loves his country as much as I do. However, doing away with both political parties is ANARCHISM. It will only bring chaos, destruction and collapse of our great Nation. To accuse Joseph Muscat of being the author of some unsigned flysheet is libellous, unfair, unjust and unacceptable in a democratic society. To blame Joseph Muscat for the very painful decision that had to be taken regarding Dr Anglu Farrugia for allegedly attacking a particular member of the judiciary is again unfair. It must have pained him indeed having worked together for 5 years. No what Malta needs is an open and transparent Government that places legislation that would regulate abuses carried out by all future Governments so that the abuses of the 80s, 90s and since would hopefully be substantially reduced. Utopia does not exist and there will always be people who try to abuse, but with the right legal frameworks in place, such abuses would not be protected by the collective responsibility of the Government.

•

Fenea , inti taf tajjeb li kull min jagħmel il-korruzzjoni jagħmel min kollox biex jaħbi kemm jista kull prova li tista tkun ta' dannu jew theddida għalieħ . Inti taf ukoll , li tridu tkunu tnejn biex tizfnu it-tango . Għalhekk hadd ma jista jemmen meta il-gvern jgħid li jrid jaqta il-korruzzjoni , u imbgħad ma jagħmilx il-liġi tal-Whistleblower biex dawk li għandhom il-provi jkunu jistgħu jersqu il-quddiem bihom ħalli tinkixef . Fejn hemm id-duħħan , hemm in-nar . Jista jkun li ma jkunx jidher għax ikun taħt , izda hemm ikun , Sur Fenea .

•

I hope Dr Franco Debono does not mull it over too much and decide to stand for election.I also hope that this will not be parallel to his abstaining in toppling GonziPN in the A Gatt vote of confidence and then regretting it

•

tony vella.......kulhadd ghandu halq u jghid li jrid. naqbel mieghek perfettament li in-nies kollha għandhom moħħ , widnejn u par għajnejn biex jaħsbu , jisimgħu u jaraw. Intqal hafna diskors u intefa hafna tajn imma PROVI ta xejn.

•

Sur fenea , id-differenza bejn dak li ġara illum u dawk li fil-passat kellhom xi differenzi mall-partit tagħhom hi li dawk ta' qabel ma akkuzawx ,lill-parti li kien gie maħkum minn klikka u saħansitra li kien immexxi min oligarkija sħieħa . Ma kienx hemm akkuzi ta' korruzzjoni istituzjonalizzata bħall ma kien hemm illum . Illum kullhadd jaf kemm Dr Franco Debono għandu raġun fuq dak kollu li qal . In-nies kollha għandhom moħħ , widnejn u par għajnejn biex jaħsbu , jisimgħu u jaraw , Sur fenea .

•

@tony vella.......l-istorja dejjem uriet li min ikollu xi differenzi ma xi partit u johrog indipendenti qatt ma irnexxielu igib aktar min 100 vot. il kwota nazzjonali naqabel maghha perfettament imma iz zewg partiti il kbar ma jriduwiex ghax ma jaqblilhomx.

•

briffy u fenea , inthom in-nazzjonalisti tafu li jekk Dr Franco Debono joħroġ għall-elezzjoni titilfu il-voti mid-distrett tiegħu . Għalhekk qed taraw kif tiskoraġixxu lill-Dr Franco Debono biex ma joħroġx mhux għax tirrispttawħ izda biex ma titilfux il-voti. Dnub li ma għawnx kwota nazzjonali , għax kieku Dr Debono joħrog fuq id-distretti kollha , taraw jekk Dr Debono għandux support ma Malta kollha .

•

Sir, Allow me to answer 'Justice' All that you said is agreeable in my mind. However whereas PN reached its zenith and down its in a downfall. I will only convince myself of the New Progressive when I come to believe not what Dr. Muscat is promising but what has happened since he came to power. For the record remember that inflammatory unsigned flysheet against his opponent shared to the delegates during his election, that to me is not what Dr. Muscat perceive he want Malta to be I guess. How about the way an elected deputy leader was double crossed as though nothing has happened, where is the strength of the vote of the delegates? is this the way Dr. Muscat want Malta to be managed? a one man band to avoid a harsh word of a dictator? Dear Justice deep inside I really feel both parties once in power they act, think and operate the same only the name will be changed. My friend I said it before and say it again with these two parties offered a carrot to a bankrupt society to gain power, I consider one is proven to be more of the same the other what I see is not what I am promised to believe.

•

If he believes he can win, then he should run as an independent or with AD. If he doesn't we will never know if the people really want him or not. Otherwise, all this talk is irrelevant. To be relevant and prove that you are relevant, you have to run. However, the cons are that it may be too early to run because you know that when people are in that ballot box, they will get cold feet and vote for the parties who are relevant.

•

franco ohrog ghal elezzjoni halli naraw kemm se ggib voti mil hames distrett. il karriera politika tieghek spiccat meta ivvutajt kontra il budget.

•

I reply to IL_BULLY. I think it is very unfair to blame the PL for promising and not deliver when they are still in opposition. You have to compare like with like and the fake PN promises cannot be compared to the PL promise of open government where you and me can make sure that the last 25 years are not repeated again. Having said that I do believe that there is a place for people like Dr Franco Debono in our political scene.

•

FRANCO DONT LET ME DOWN I AM TRAVELLING THOUSANDS OF MILES TO JUST TO VOTE FOR YOU, THERE ARE ALSO ANOTHER 300 FRIENDS OF MINE THAT HAVE DECIDED TO VOTE FOR YOU BUT BE HONEST WITH US. DONT LET US FIND OUT THAT THIS IS SOMETHING BETWEEN YOU AND GONZI.

•

Franco Debono if you do not run for office there will be nobody with enough stamina and courage to fight for the people. JPO will also be gone. This will leave which ever party wins, free and clear to do what they please. You are very familiar with that statement. We need a whole Judicial System change like you mentioned many times before. Malta needs to change some of the old archaic laws that were meant to be for the forties and fifties.This is 2013 and our government is still using the same old archaic laws that are so outdated they only serve as a deterrent and as a convenience for the elite. On the other hand like you say it is very hard for you to stay away from politics and, many would like to take that as a YES and that you will be contesting the next election to the big disappointment of some. The government needs somebody to watch over it, otherwise it will stay as a dictatorship like this one turned out to be. Your loyal constituents are rooting for you Franco and there is more than enough for you to be elected.

•

Dear Franco I said it once and I say it as much as is required. It never crossed my mind that you would walk your talk. I was wrong. You are, indeed, a man with balls. Notwithstanding all the things you did, you are still required to do more. You MUST make sure that the clique evaporates into thin air. You MUST work so that evil goes in its proper place. You MUST make sure that the oligarchy eats its own pies. You MUST do your best that Malta returns to the people.

•

THE RECENT EVENTS HAVE PROVEN THAT DR DEBONO WAS PERFECTLY RIGHT IN HIS PRESENTATIONS, ARGUMENTS AND CONVICTION THAT THE GONZIPN CLIQUE HAD HIJACKED THE PN AND RUINED OUR COUNTRY. HE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO PROVE HIS POINT FURTHER BY CONTESTING THE ELECTION.

•

Dear Miriam Dalli This is interesting reporting. I keep saying that the big parties are taking us all for a ride. Promises, promises and more promises that they will forget after election. The true inside, lest we forget of these parties is what they did to Dr. Anglu Farrugia and to Dr. Franco Debono, these are parties without a soul! People are being hypnotized with the old style politics of we can do better, come to our side. Individuals like Franco and Anglu will be a pity if we loose him. We need these men, I dare say Malta need them. Let us encourage them to run, if only they will run in my 7th District, I will definitely vote for them. What did the big parties do in this district other than promise, of course before elect both parties will come for their usual mass meeting and that will be all.

Luke Camilleri •

Just do it SAY YES! You said "NO" to the Oligarchy, you are your own man, your supposrters' voice, SAY YES!

•

A bit of advice to Franco....Don't let your imagination run wild. Besides, make allowance for people who are out to take you for a ride and don't let them have a laugh at your expense.

•

Go for it Franco. We have always contended that you have a lot still to contribute to Malta's future and democracy.