Now is John Dalli’s chance. And Franco Debono’s.
Go on, Franco, now's your chance. Carpe diem.
So, Lawrence Gonzi has said that the Nationalist Party will have a leadership election, with a secret ballot, and that if the party councillors vote for somebody other than he, he pledges his unconditional support even now to the party leader who replaces him.
I think, really, that this was the only way to go. The problems that Jeffrey, Jesmond and Franco (the Three Musketeers) have are clearly with Dr Gonzi personally, despite their protestations to the contrary about other matters.
By putting himself up for open election by secret ballot, he will shut them up once and for all – and the country will be grateful for it because they are now getting on everyone’s nerves, including Labour supporters.
If he loses, they’ve ostensibly got what they want. If he wins, they are going to have to stop their undermining of him and their claims that he has to go, because the opinion of three MPs does not outweigh or outgun the democratic decision (by secret ballot) of the party council.
There’s another point. If any of those three truly believes that it is he who is the right person for the job, he now has the chance to put his candidature to the democratic vote.
Franco at last has a real chance to go head to head with his old rival Joseph Muscat by standing for election as PN leader, which would make him prime minister for the remainder of this term of government.
I rather have the feeling that work at John Dalli’s office in Brussels is going to pretty much grind to a halt over the next few weeks as he considers his options.
The last point is that, if Dr Gonzi is re-elected (not reconfirmed, as this is an open election) party leader, then the only honourable and decent thing for Franco Debono to do is to resign his seat in parliament.
He has said already, several times, that he is prepared to serve under anyone but Dr Gonzi. If Dr Gonzi is re-elected, Franco will have to go. He will be left with no other choice, but I expect he will try to find one.
And Jeffrey will just have to stop behaving like a total jerk, if that is at all possible, and just have patience until Carmen’s Labour Party is in government, and they can start throwing their weight around again.
I trust Franco Debono will not now delude himself that the party councillors will vote out Dr Gonzi as yet another way of appeasing him. If they vote for somebody else, it will not be because of Franco Debono.
Right now, nobody can stand him, no matter what they say in public or to his face to keep him quiet.
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Franco doesn’t stand a chance. I’m sure he’s smart enough to at least know that (I imagine that a 12 year old would, then so should he). He’d be a proper idiot if he puts himself in the running for this one.
John Major once said, in a similar context, that it was time for his parliamentary colleagues “to put up or shut up”. Amen to that.
Franco Debono cannot contest the leadership. He resigned from the party several months ago, he said. He has to start again in one of the local sections of the Party in Hal-Ghaxaq or Marsaxlokk, whichever, whenever the local sectional committee elections are due. Only after he re-activates his tessera.
Dear Daphne, Dr. Gonzi is playing for time, he should have called a General Election anyway.
[Daphne – If he calls a general election now, I have the most curious idea that he might actually win. So don’t be too hasty. ]
When I think of Dr Sant who lost the last election by a marginal 1675 votes, I think positive.
What killed this government is one issue, Daphne, he composed a small cabinet made up of just 16 ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries leaving 19 on the backbench in the likes of Censu Galea, Ninu Zammit, Frans Agius, Francis Zammit Dimech, Dr Deguara, Edwin Vassallo (Parl Secr) and Mugliett who were all ministers but the only one who is still frustrated is Mugliett, who wears an expression like Our Lady of Sorrows. Only him, Debono and JPO are the disgruntled backbenchers and the latter have a hidden agenda thanks to his partner.
[Daphne – Read those numbers again, and your description of them as a ‘small cabinet’.]
What a bunch of crap. Not everyone who’s elected to parliament is suitable for a cabinet post. Especially when the main winning qualities in Maltese elections are popularity in your local kazin, puppaturizmu, and bazuzlerija. Not intelligence, class, analytical ability or critical skills. A larger cabinet would mean a general lowering of standards in a cabinet whose standards hover somewhere around “Satisfactory”. With disastrous consequences.
@H.P.
Just wait till Joey makes it good, and than you will see the Malta branch of CERN in action.
Staring our very own Minister of Silly Walks of the South, Silvio Parnis.
A branch of CERN? Meaning something that sucks in money, doesn’t work, and when eventually fixed will tell us something we’ve known all along?
dear daphne if you have some 500 ewros to spare let’s make an “imhatra” like we say in maltese and if you are so sure that the PN will win make me 1000 ewros ! I will be more than glad to bet with you if you wish???
[Daphne – I don’t gamble. I don’t bet. And in every election I expect the worst, so that I am mentally prepared. This is no mean feat as it is actually traumatic for people of my generation to hear the words ‘rebha Laburista’.]
[Daphne – If he calls a general election now, I have the most curious idea that he might actually win. So don’t be too hasty. ]
It’s what I’ve been thinking all along. Despite everything everyone’s been saying I’m still confident that there are enough “floaters” who think Muscat doesn’t cut the mustard. Personally I’m not a convinced “Nazzjonalist” but I’m scared stiff of what could happen if Labour were to accede to power.
Well, now’s the time to put up or shut up and I’m hoping they’ll just shut the hell up.
This reminds me of Alfred Sant after he lost the General Elections in 2003 . . . As Gonzi himself said, “HE HASN’T RESIGNED!” So who would contest him?
[Daphne – People contested against Sant, Adrian, not least Anglu Farrugia. Never underestimate ambition.]
That is true. But the PN is better organised than the PL. You’ll see, no one will contest Gonzi.
[Daphne – If they don’t, Adrian, it’s because they don’t want to, not because they’ve been told not to. The PN is not better organised than Labour. The reverse is true. Labour has an entire army of elves, beetles and dwarfs working on things. The Nationalist Party does not. It manages only because it tends to attract sharper and smarter people.]
Hey, wait a minute, I’m not saying candidates won’t contest because they’ve been told not to. They won’t contest because no one will want to contest the leader . . . especially after he’s declared that this is not a resignation. That is why I liken it to Alfred Sant 2003.
[Daphne – Adrian, I have just said the same thing to Silvio. Party leaders do not resign before another one is elected, not unless there is some great scandal or terrible pressure to make staying on a disgrace. This is exactly the same parallel as the prime minister remaining the prime minister right up until the result of the general election is announced. A prime minister does not resign when he calls a general election. He remains incumbent, and leaves at the point it is announced that the electorate has voted to replace him. I trust this is now clear. You don’t leave a party without a leader, or a country without a prime minister during the election campaign]
There’s always the prisoner in Brussels.
Kudos for Dr Gonzi for taking this decision.
The PM is bending over backwards to clear the air and get rid of any bad feeling once and for all.
His victory should send a clear defeat signal to the conspirators who should be wise to stay put or make way.
Let me Guess. John Dalli will replace Lawrence Gonzi. That would please Labour and Sargas.
Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando will get his Mistra permit and will invite all his Facebook ”friends” for the opening night.
The Muglietts, Herreras and assorted hangers-on will go on a year old cruise courtesy of Orange Travel.
Silvio Parnis will start giving out freebie Buttardi earrings to his faithful old biddies of the sawt. Franco Debono will…… hang on, Franco ……who?
After John Dalli’s regular appearances on One TV I expect him to constest or else shut up forever.
Not much different from what I had suggested.
That was the time when you told me:
“Don’t call us we will call you”
[Daphne – Very different. You suggested resignation and replacement.]
How can you go for ‘leadership election’, if the post is not vacant?
Gonzi has to vacate the post. There can only be an election if he either resigns, or what?
[Daphne – Silvio, in exactly the same way that a country goes into a general election without the prime minister having to resign. The prime minister is the prime minister until the vote is final and the results read out. A campaign does not mean an interregnum.]
Issa fhimt,silvio?
In that case, wouldn’t it be a caretaker government?
No Troy, some people take longer than others to understand.
We cannot be all that lucky as you.
Troy, this might interest you.
The PN statute says:
“…….to receive the nominations within two months from when THE VACANCY IS CREATED”
The statute says:
“… a leadership contest is held when a “VACANCY IS CREATED”
I hope all this is clear enough.
We’ve long come to expect such decisive and wholly sound behaviour and decisions from this wise and selfless Prime Minister. Definitely a trump card from Dr. Gonzi.
And the similarities between John Major’s story and Lawrence Gonzi’s grow further…
I stand corrected, but I remember FD recently saying that he is the outward expression of a dissident group within the party. So he MUST contest the leadership. Otherwise he should shut up and resign his seat in parliament.
I can’t understand one thing, Daphne – Franco Debono has resigned from the PN and is no longer a PN MP or candidate, or am I getting this all wrong?
[Daphne – He is still under the PN whip. As for the rest, ask him because I am as mystified as you are.]
That’s right. If Franco Debono is no longer a party member, then he cannot vote in the leadership election or be elected as leader. QED, Bob’s your uncle and let’s all head to the pub for a pint.
This is all getting very boring now. It’s like one of those Bruce Willis films with too many cliffhangers. Some time before the intermission, you switch off and turn your attention to Ritienne’s kneecaps.
Meaning also that Franco might continue playing with his yo-yo in Parliament.
I remember an elderly friend telling me (when miniskirts were first in fashion), that in his youth, palpitations were to be had at the sight of a lady’s ankle. It was the only portion of flesh, at that time, that might possibly present itself for inspection.
Franco has been check-mated. Game over.
Or maybe Franco was threatened. 2 policmen on his tail says it all I guess.
[Daphne – The police insist on security in these situations as a precaution. It doesn’t follow that he was threatened.]
At this stage it is incumbent on both Dalli and Debono to stand for election. This is the only honourable way in (or out) for both of them.
The time is ripe for the PN to clear the decks, literally.
It may be the heavy lunch and drinks but do you think that Gonzi’s chances of re-election have undergone a revival, if he can pull the the leadership election – and I do not see why not – out of the hat? All thanks to that git Franco “Arani ma” Debono.
And I think that Joseph (why not Joe or Joey?) has peaked too early in his campaign (if he had one) and that is why he is desperate for an early election.
He has been let down by Wundergrandad Karmenu Vella who has not delivered on the electoral programme, so much so that a bright young spark called Aaron Farrugia (lol) has been assigned to help him out.
I think Joseph up to now has delivered “molto fumo, ma niente arrosto”.
Now for that Alka Seltzer.
And the resurrection out in the open of the Mintoff worshippers with their “we will get you” threats has not helped at all; smells of a palace coup at the Mile End.
The only deliverable by Joseph so far has been a balcony on the second floor at Mile End. Alfred Sant never wanted one because he never liked the “wind in the hair” sensation.
Regrets Daphne but even yesterday I was calling Debono, Mugliett and JPO The Three Musketeers but it does not stand.
First they did not conquer anything and secondly they don’t believe in All for one and One for all!
Please amend it to The three little pigs who did not live happily ever after.
Dalli is not stupid. He won’t contest under these circumstances. If he will ever contest again it will be after the next election.
Seychelles advising Dalli. Whatever next? is nothing happening on vivaMalta these days?
Nobody ever said Dalli is stupid.
But Dalli is now too long in the tooth to appeal to the younger generation as a NP leader and future prime minister.
If he or Franco (not clear whether is still is NP tesserat) decide to contest and lose, they should immediately resign from their positions and it will be up to Dr Gonzi to appoint a replacement EU Commissioner and Debono should resign his Parliamentary seat.
Malcolm, and many will no longer vote if Dalli and Muscat are the only alternatives.
I’ll try again (as you didn’t get my earlier post).
Its all irrelevant. The problem is in Parliament. Winning the leadership race at party level, is precisely that and nothing else.
Thus the problem in Parliament remains as is.
You’re watching too much of Super One.
The PM did the best thing he could in this situation. I have a feeling that we won’t hear anymore of Franco at this point.
Just brillant. Dr.Gonzi did a checkmate on Debono and left Muscat bewildered. Once he is done with Debono he will deal with Muscat.
Unwisely, Muscat is making too much noise Muscat would be better off to lay back and watch the PN saga unfold. He might learn something too.
They have no arguments. They’re empty vessels. They have no programme, no ideas, nothing.
Muscat is making a storm in a teacup, and the power-hungry horde that surrounds him is pressing for more, making more noise.
All this will backfire.
Pity that it will always be us to pay the high price of disaster, especially if we are thrown years backward as always happened with the MLP/PL.
Ah, I shudder at those years of “friża”, first the wages frozen for God knows how many years and then the EU application frozen. What a blighted route we’ll take; another disaster.
So there is going to be an election after all, although not the one Muscat expected.
Daphne, I didn’t see on tv the PM’s speech today from the PN headquarters. Can you please give us the link. Everyone is saying that Dr. Gonzi was magnificently eloquent and had them mesmerized.
They were evidently having a go at you.
He was pathetic and mediocre. And that’s an understatement! Big time!
[Daphne – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcor2NXKoR8 As pathetic and mediocre, no doubt, as somebody who claims that the last time the Labour Party won an election was in 1976. Your explanation?]
But weren’t Debono’s numerous resignations all subsequently retired/rejected? Isn’t he still ‘bona fide?’ I stand to be corrected.
We were told that Debono’s resignations have never been accepted. I
suppose that the party can accept them any time between now and the party leadership election, but the party will not do that. The party will leave Debono free to declare his candidature if he so feels.
He might actually be encouraged – a bill board in Floriana may help do the trick. But he probably will not contest. Or if he does, he would still stand little chance. He has compromised his position by his own declarations that he resigned several times. And by his recent decisions to distance himself from the party organs. And by his abstention in the vote of no confidence called by Joseph Muscat.
And by not being part of the party Parliamentary Group and Executive which declared full confidence in Lawerence Gonzi. And by making a fool of himself on PBS with his Form 2c report, his 100 marks in Religion and his teachers’ “keep it up” remarks.
And then, there was that declaration he made after Beppe Fenech Adami’s comments that he never wanted to be PM.
That leaves John Dalli as the major challenge. But he too is unlikely to challenge Lawrence Gonzi at this point. There is little time left in the legislature if the elections are held when due, and the risk that the PN will loose those elections is more than 50%.
Dalli will wait a few more months.
The absence of Franco Debono, Mugliett and JPO from today’s Council has already been given great publicity on Super One. The instability in Parliament is likely to continue.
With a party united behind Gonzi, the party can then face Joseph Muscat in the final show-down. Franco Debono will be history.
Which way will the “eminence grise” in the Brussels ivory tower jump ? Or will he bide his time ?
Re election of PN Party leader:-
“In 2004 the leadership contest started on February 7 when then leader Eddie Fenech Adami resigned as PN leader but stayed on as Prime Minister (he resigned as PM after the Pn chose its leader).
Nominations opened for a week on Feb 9…………………”
(The Times 31/01/12 page 7 – Mapping out the contest)
This is the only way the election for party leader should be carried out according to the PN Party Statute. Dr Gonzi should resign and then seek re-election.