Right, now what?
The home affairs minister has resigned. The prime minister has assumed his portfolio. The foreign minister has replaced him as Leader of the House.
Franco Debono is still exactly where and what he was. He has got his revenge on Carm Mifsud Bonnici, but he has not got the rewards he wanted for himself.
Expect fresh scenes and tantrums when the prime minister appoints a new home affairs minister, just as there were scenes and tantrums when he gave the justice portfolio to Chris Said.
But this time, Franco Debono is about to discover, there will be no attempts at mollifying or appeasing him.He has crossed the Rubicon and there is no going back, for anyone.
As for the Labour Party, it has tried hard already to make out that it has gained from all of this. But I tend to agree with Lino Spiteri, though not for the same reasons, that it has lost.
There was no case of gross misconduct here which would justify a motion of no confidence, and Carm Mifsud Bonnici is well liked right across the political divide, and especially in the Labour stronghold of Bormla.
The net result is that the Labour Party has come out looking amoral (not immoral), cheap and opportunistic. But worse than that, it has emerged from this as Franco Debono’s servant, ready and willing to be the tool by which he exacted his revenge on the person he envies and hates.
When you rush to do the bidding of a spiteful and vindictive person, on the understanding that it will benefit you too, you just don’t look good or come out smelling of roses. The Labour Party and Franco Debono had no dignity to lose, and Carm Mifsud Bonnici kept his.
I’m sure that many in the Labour Party will now be wondering what it is they achieved, exactly. Debono knows what he achieved, and must be feeling pretty much like those women who slash their husband’s suits or scratch his car when they find out he is having an affair.
So, you got your moment of revenge. And now what?
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Kif jghidu: Franco qata z**** biex jinki il-mara.
Well said! Carm Mifsud Bonnici did not deserve this.
Mhux ghal DAK nghidu, imma ghal DAWK!
Qata’ DAWK biex jinki l-mara.
So, you got your moment of revenge. And now what?
Could take a useful tip from that guy Judas. Franco has already metaphorically put the noose around his neck; he should now complete the job, by exiting parliament, and allowing his seat to be taken by a more worthy representative elected by the voters in his electoral district.
Some hope.
Had he been in Japan he may consider hara-kiri.
I agree with your suggestion but am curious about the electoral laws. If Debono resigned from parliament what would actually happen? Would there need to be a by-election? or can his seat be replaced by a PN MP?
Or would it be the person with the next highest number of number of votes for that district at the last election? In this case it could be either Louis Galea PN or Anthony (not Ninu) Zammit MLP.
See: http://www.maltadata.com/divs.htm Pick 2008 and go to 5th district. How would this actually play out?
The leader of the opposition couldn’t even hide his brazenness yesterday in the interview on TVM after the vote.
Instead of focusing on how they would like government to improve the management of the Justice Ministry which would be the logical and decent thing to do following such a vote, he told the Prime Minister to “do the decent thing” without even having the decency to say what he meant.
What a sad man.
What the PL has gained out of all this is beyond comprehension.
The entire parliamentary party has been used by a cranky government backbencher to further his personal agenda and achieve his vendetta against the Mifsud Bonnici family.
It is unbelievable that so many political old salts and dinosaurs can be taken for a ride so effortlessly by a top student with a good mark in religious knowledge.
I agree that they collectively have no dignity whatsoever.
They also seem to me to have lost their pride and do not care about making fools of themselves.
This is ominous.
Carm Mifsud Bonnici’s presence during the press conference with the PM and all the rest yesterday evening (minus Debono, JPO and Mugliett obviously) showed what a real gentleman he is.
He answered all the reporters’ questions so well and with such dignity. A stark contrast to Debono who cowardly left straight after.
So…what now for Mifsud Bonnici? D’you think he will be contesting next elections?
I agree 100% with you about the Bormla stronghold- he, along with Frans Aguis and Stephen Spiteri, are the only PN candidates of this district.`
As a matter of fact Gonzi in 2008 contested as well to make the number to a respectable four in District 2.
He should contest Franco’s district, once, hopefully, the PN drops Franco from the ticket.
There’s his antithesis waiting obediently and working silently , Hermann Schiavone is one Franco’s top of the list victims.
Just a small correction: Ugo Mifsud Bonnici’s constituency was the second district. The PN only ever managed to have one candidate elected on that district. When he was made president, Lawrence Gonzi stood on that district and then also Ugo’s son, Carm. For the first time ever, the PN had two MPs elected on that district, an impressive achievement.
In the last election the districts were redivided. Before 2008 the 2nd district was composed of Fgura, Bormla, Birgu, Kalkara, Isla, Xghajra. Now it is Xghajra Zabbar, Bormla, Birgu, Isla, Kalkara. Carm Mifsud Bonnici in 2008 contested on the 2nd and the 3rd. He used to tell us to give Lawrence Gonzi the number one vote.
Carm Mifsud Bonnici was elected in his new district the 3rd comprised by Fgura (former 2nd district) Zejtun and Marsascala. The irony is that Franco said that Carm is elected because of his family roots and father who never contested the 3rd district.
More and more people will now realise that Joseph’s only reason for this shamefull vote of no confidence in CMB is just a selfish ply, for him to become PM.
Sorry guys when will you come to understand in Malta, that a politician is a politician, only looking after themselves, for now and for re-election.
Don’t trust any of them, they should deserve our respect but it has to be earned.
If someone resigns no matter what party, they’re all hypocrites it will be for gain elsewhere, financially or positional.
Watch this space