Busuttil rules out ‘interest’ in general elections, shies away from stand on divorce

MEP Simon Busuttil, one of the Nationalist party’s more popular politicians who has been in Brussels at the EP since 2004, is not expressing his personal opinion on whether divorce should be introduced or not.

“I am associated with the EU,” said the former head of the Malta-EU Information Centre, “and I don’t want to complicate the debate with this association,” he told his interviewers, media lecturer Joe Borg and international relations lecturer Prof. Joseph Pirotta on Campus FM.

Borg repeated his question, after Busuttil seemingly inferred that joining the “fashion show” of politicians declaring their stand on divorce, might confuse listeners who would think of divorce as an EU imposition.

“I think you are divorcing yourself from the matter at hand,” Borg punned.

“This is a national discussion we must have and take a decision. I don’t like the idea of a fashion show of politicians who say what is right and wrong about divorce. It doesn’t help contribute to a mature debate.”

Busuttil was also asked about his interest in considering running for the Maltese parliament.

“It seems you are being nurtured as a possible successor to Lawrence Gonzi,” Pirotta asked Busuttil.

“I’ve absolutely never had any interest,” Busuttil said about running for the Maltese parliament.

Borg mirthfully asked Busuttil why he was being categorical about ruling out the possibility of running in the next general election.

“I am associated with the EU and I am in politics because of the EU, not in the EU because of politics,” Busuttil said.