Franco Debono in face-off with Gatt
Nationalist MP Franco Debono has faced embattled transport minister Austin Gatt during a PN executive committee meeting stating that his abstention was about the minister’s ‘attitude’ towards the reform.
During a brief meeting, attended by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, PN secretary-general Paul Borg Olivier and a number of MPs and representatives from various groupings within the party, Franco Debono was reported to have made submissions that called for the party to ensure ministers assumed political responsibility for issues that are of national concern, starting from the public reform fiasco.
According to party sources, Franco Debono – who spoke before a silent Austin Gatt – said that it was “high time” that the party took note of the people’s frustration at the fact that government was being repeatedly embarrassed by matters that could have been handled with a better attitude.
He reportedly reiterated his stand previously carried in media that party loyalty was important but that ministers cannot ignore people's concerns, or not answer to parliament and its MPs who represent constituents.
Debono has previously argued that accountability was an essential element of democracy, and that ministers must keep in mind that they are responsible for their actions to parliament.
While Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi took note of the submissions and reportedly admitted that the matter had not been discussed within the parliamentary group, he said that the PN executive council had briefly talked about the mass complaints about the public transport reform.
The PN executive decided it will hold another meeting next Monday to specifically discuss the transport situation, The Opposition’s motion that calls for Austin Gatt’s resignation will be debated in parliament on November 4.
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Lots of people seem to think that, for a myriad of reasons, the PN will lose the next election because of this and the other issue. I agree that, on balance Malta needs a fresh Government. But no one seems to say anything about why Labour should win the next election - apart, of course, for the reason I just gave. But at the end of the day that may not be enough. Labour must win and not just rely on the PN losing!
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Rest assured that there will be an amendment for the PL motion which will change the whole motion into one of confidence for minister Gatt and the pn so Mr Debono will probably have to either tow the line or else face the consequences. Also rest assured that the PN motion will pass by a simple majority. Democracy and dictatorship both start with a D. The meaning is different only when practiced .
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Bravo Franco! This is what democracy is all about - you should be echoing the views of your electors not that of the party cadres. If PN had more people like you it would not have fallen into the pitiful state into which it has reduced itself. Let the rabble like Daphne criticise you - he who pays the piper calls the tune!!
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The speaker has already been instructed how to vote by Richard.
Stefan Mifsud •
Dr. Debono,
Keep your balls on.
On the issue of the local transport fiasco you are reflecting the feelings of all commuters and would be commuters.
Your stand on the behavior of Ministers you are doing something for the whole of Malta and not just for the Nationalist Party. A party I had voted for in the past.
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franco debono will amke another U-TURN.as he did in the past, and arrogance will prevail.
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It is Austin Gatt who should be ashamed of his failures and not Dr Franco Debono. If Gatt is made to go it will be a blessing in disguise for the party in government.
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GonziPN is cracking up but it takes a backbencher to bring the decimated party into its senses. Austin Gatt is a menace to GonziPN and do not seem to learn any lessons. That is why PN will loose the next general election.
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Gatt must go asap if the PN is to have a hope in hell of winning the next general election.
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Gatt must go asap if the PN is to have a hope in hell of winning the next general election.
