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PN whip insists ‘no leadership collapsed’
Labour’s spokesman Owen Bonnici says the defeated Opposition motion “was not a loss for the Labour Party”.
28 January 2012, 12:00am
Miriam Dalli
Miriam Dalli
2 min read
PN parliamentary whip David Agius
The Nationalist Party's parliamentary whip, David Agius, criticised the Labour Party for gearing its supporters for elections and then lose the motion.
"The PL drove its people into a wall: it gave them hope they were going to the polls, but in reality their own no confidence motion was defeated," Agius said this morning when speaking on Radju Malta's Ghandi X'Nghid.
Agius said the Prime Minister had "safe hands" (par idejn sodi) and that "no leadership has collapsed".
He insisted that backbencher Franco Debono - who had said that he no longer trusted Lawrence Gonzi - was still part of the Nationalist family.
Thursday's vote in the House registered 34 votes in favour and 34 votes against the Labour's motion. Only Debono abstained. Speaker Michael Frendo cast his vote against the motion.
"The motion needed 35 votes in favour to pass. The Opposition did not get that number so its motion was defeated.
"Do we have a slow puncture? No problem, we can solve that. Franco is with government, he is part of our family. Government enjoys Debono's trust or else he wouldn't have abstained," Agius insisted.
Opposition's spokesman Owen Bonnici - who also participated in the programme - said government knew that if had been the Prime Minister to present a confidence motion, it would have been defeated.
"When Debono abstained on a motion that called for minister Austin Gatt's resignation over the public transport reform fiasco, the Prime Minister was quick to presenting a confidence motion because he knew that Debono's problem was with Austin Gatt and not with him.
"But the Prime Minister knew that if he presented a confidence motion this time round, Debono would have abstained and his motion would have been defeated," Bonnici said.
Alternattiva Demokratika's spokesman Ralph Cassar said that Debono was not being clear: "If Franco Debono felt so strong against Austin Gatt, why didn't he vote against him? Debono is sending out conflicting messages."
Cassar said the issue whether the country should go to the polls or not was not simple: "Preferably for the country, elections should come in 2013. But AD is calling for elections simply because this instability should be dealth with."
At one point, a caller remarked how in this country nobody shouldered any political responsibility for his actions and asked how Agius was still in government despite the number of times he had been found cheating during his exams.
Ignoring the comment, Agius said the PN never said Debono had betrayed his party: "We said that no one has the right to betray his constituents. We never said that Debono was a traitor."
Asked whether Debono was a liability or an asset for the PN, Agius reiterated that Debono was "part of the family who comes out with great ideas". He denied that Debono had been pressured in abstaining.
Miriam Dalli joined MaltaToday.com.mt in 2010 becoming assistant editor f...
Luke Camilleri •
Min irrid jithaq b'min?
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I don't want to be a COPYCAT and repeat what others have already done i.e. mentioning David Aguis' exam successes...oops I just did. Anyway so I can explain things for David, last Thursday parliament was a basketball game, the home team and the away team score were tied 34-34 at the end of the game. Then the referee decided to dunk one for the home team. So who really won?
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Raymond 'Garner' Gatt. What are you comments on the 12.12. 1981 results. Does the passage of time modify mathematical and scientific reality? Hypocrites
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Raymond 'Garner' Gatt. What are you comments on the 12.12. 1981 results. Does the passage of time modify mathematical and scientific reality? Hypocrites
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Dr. Franco Debono has left Malta waiting for him to decide if he is a member of the PN after Thursday's vote and from such people all we expect is just more doubts and nothing concrete. A member of the parliament just cannot abstain on such an important vote. You are either in or out Dr. Debono.
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Dr. Franco Debono has left Malta waiting for him to decide if he is a member of the PN after Thursday's vote and from such people all we expect is just more doubts and nothing concrete. A member of the parliament just cannot abstain on such an important vote. You are either in or out Dr. Debono.
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Dr. Franco Debono has left Malta waiting for him to decide if he is a member of the PN after Thursday's vote and from such people all we expect is just more doubts and nothing concrete. A member of the parliament just cannot abstain on such an important vote. You are either in or out Dr. Debono.
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Simple arithmetics. In the 2008 General Elections results. PN garnered 143468 first count votes. PL garnered 141888. A mere difference of 1580 votes for the PN. The Hon Franco Debono obtained 2228 first count votes from two districts. Therefore, in view that Debono has not voted against the no confidence parliamentary motion brought forward by the PL, this, in terms of votes, the number of voters expressing confidence in the government of the day in parliament on that particular important motion mounted to 143468 - 2228 = 141240. Therefore, the PL had a majority of 648 votes over the PN. Consequently, it is safe for the PL and everyone to say that the PN has lost the majority of the peoples' backing and is governing against the will of the majority. As simple as that. No amount of apologists' efforts will change this mathematical and scientific reality.
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What Mr Agius forget to say is that Dr Debono gave up from pn by handing over his resignstion for several times during this legislation.What about the heavy accusations done by Dr Debono,does they means something?Believe or not Franco is not part of pn anymore and you know this very well Mr Agius and this time at least do your paper work by yourself and do not COPY from PM notes.
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As things stand now I agree that Franco Debono has NEVER left The Nationalist family. In fact it seems that this was all a premeditated farce between Debono and GonzoPN for the lattter to gain sympathy, time and at the same time alienate the people from the real, dangerous issues we have run into, only 3 years after joining the Eurozone! That will make way for GonziPN to 'Coraggio! Fuggiamo! ' without being blamed for it.
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I have few quetions for David. Are the "EVILS" are there to stay? Who voted against the majiority of the people is there to stay? Who awarded €600 per week for himsels and his "YESMAN BUDDIES" behind evrybody's back is there to stay? Those incompitents/arrogants/failers in all aspects are there to stay? Who called an MP "Bicca membru parlamentari" is there to stay?.....Well if so now Dr. Franco Debono should "put his money where his mouth is!"
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Hanging onto power at the cost of democracy is a must for PN and you will have to break off their fingers before they will let go of that chair!
Hundreds of people are placed in positions were their primary job - and indeed their only qualification is to server the party and its members.
Authorities and ministries are there to channel business to the offices of the PN high and mighty - and to sabotage and hinder honest businesses from operating and competing.
The country is used as a safe harbour for all sorts of illegal and immoral business, which people in the party benefit from to the tune of hundreds of millions of euroes.
EU funds are one big money laundering operation - siphoning millions of euros into fictional businesses and phony projects - money that ultimately is stolen from tax payers.
Citizens are robbed at the petrol station, each time they turn on a light switch or shop locally - millions of tax money that ends up in direct orders to companies run by the families of ministers and MPs.
Staying is power is crucial and they will stay there to the bitter end. This is why its NOT a democracy.
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Why did Debono abstain. It was clear that PN would play their 'Joker Card' - the vote from that palladin of integrity - the House Speaker (joke!)
He had one shot and he did not take it!
There can only be one explanation ... he wants a PN without Gonzi, a change from within. This would be clearly in the best interest of the country. The question is - where is the challenge coming from within the party? Many have broken rank within PN - but there seems to be no sign of this rebellion being organized.
As for PL, no one for a minute thinks that PL is a solution for anything except breaking their own loser streak - what every expects is that the corruption would remain unabated but switch pockets - still this would be better a better outcome than the status quo.
The tragedy is that which every way the voter will turn - it will be checkmate for them, their families and their country.
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From where did the PN whip David Agius COPY this?? Is he THE David Agius who spoke of values of the PN? The same David Agius who was found cheating in exams 3 times at the univerity to get his degree? People like David Agius say it best when they say nothing at all! -apologies to whoever sang this song!
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Hon David Agius, I must agree that the Hon Prime Minister has "safe hands" indeed as he does not want to release his grip on the government. Par idejn sodi u nghid.....
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@ Hon David Agius. Try selling your argument to the marines LOL. This is the same as when someone is caught copying in his exam and denies it. Need I say more?
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Funny boy this David Agius, he has always been so, since he was young.
He reminds me of the German minister who had to resign some year ago after he was found guilty of COPYING in his doctorate thesis.
Poor poor copy cat, he's not that much of a whip if he has his own cupboard skeletons!
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Tant ihobbna GonziPN li ma jridx jaghmel elezzjoni ghax-ic-cittadini immoru min taht! Ara meta ta zieda lilu innifsu ta 500 ewro fil-gimagha, hemmhekk ma tantx thassarna, u lilna taghna ewro u ftit! Jekk jirrezejna Gonzi ix-xemx tieqaf tizreg,il-mejtin iqumu mill-qabar, u tispicca id-dinja? ....u zgur tispicca id-dinja ta dawk il-konsulenti li qeghdin ipappuwa, u l-id mohbija li tikkontrolla lil GonziPN!
Mario Pace •
What i meant is that for this instability to clear Dr.Franco Debono should state if he is going to back the government or not. Only then we will have a clear picture if the instability is going to clear. If gives his backing, the government will continue working. If not, there's only one way for the PM to call an election.
Dr.Dobono has to come out and state what his intetions are.
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"Government enjoys Debono's trust or else he wouldn't have abstained," Agius insisted.
Now that's a perfect example of an oxymoron if there is one. The Hon. David Agius powers of reasoning and deliberation are akin those of St. Augustine.......!
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Look who's talking!
How can this chap, who was caught coying on three occasions, have the guts to try and give us lectures when he is not even good at copying!
Was Gonzi referring to him when he referred to the lack of of good human resources around him whilst talking to the American ambassador?
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David Agius is either trying to decieve or is serving his prime minister like a puppet. Franco , no longer forms part of the PN as he has resigned from the party. The PL never promised an early election.
Once a cheater, always a cheater!!
denise vella •
David, int qatt ma kellek xi rispett min nies u mil istudenti ghax dak li irnexxielek takwista, akwistajtu bil korruzzjoni wkoll, imma issa qieghed tidher li int mux rasek biss ghandek fir-ramel imma gismek kollu ghax trid tkun vera arroganti u ma nafx kemm il aggettiv iehor biex tghid li gonzi ghandu par idejn sodi fuq is-sitwazzjoni u biex tkompli idahhak in-nies bik, ghidt wkoll li Franco qieghed jappogja lil gvern....bl examiner dhaqt....imma bil poplu mintiex ha tidhak!!!!!
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So as I predicted Debono abstained from voting as I was sure he was blackmailed by Gonzi and Borg in Castille. Gonzi knows in his heart of hearts that he lost the vote and that all he is doing is playing for time trying to see whom to favour to garner their votes. Labour should declare and state that any agreements entered into by government from today to election time would be scrutinized and might be anulled if they are found to be flawed. I am sure that the government will enter into a lot of questionable agreements like the armier lot to get their votes.
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DR FRANCO DEBONO'S WORD IS NOT WORTH ANYTHING ANYMORE AND THEREFORE HE SHOULD BE IGNORED COMPLETELY BY THE PL AND LEFT TO HIS OWN MUDDY DEVICES TO DEAL WITH HIS 'CLIQUE OF EVIL' FRIENDS IN THE PN. ANYONE WHO CONTRADICTS HIMSELF SO BLATANTLY IN PUBLIC OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS NOT WORTH THE PEOPLE'S ATTENTION. THIS IS A DANGEROUS GAME HE IS PLAYING AND THE WHOLE NATION IS LOSING AND STANDS TO LOSE EVEN MORE OUT OF IT. SO THEREFORE, THE PL MUST REMAIN FOCUSED ON ITS FINE TUNING OF ITS POLICIES FOR WHEN THE APPROPRIATE TIME COMES AND SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE GARBLED EMOTIONS OF PEOPLE CONTRADICTING THEMSELVES WHEN FACED WITH THE TIME TO PROOF THEIR STATEMENTS' WORTH.
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@Panto1---- IVA IMMA MIN GHADU JATI KAS TA XJEIGHD JEW XJEMMEN FRANCO DEBONO? JIENA KONT BLAJT IS SUNNARA U ISSA BZAQTA QABEL GIBED IL QAZBA IS SAJJIED...
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Wara li smajt il-programm aktar qed nikonvinci ruhi li il PN huwa mwahhal mal Poter u ma jridtx jinqala min hemm xejn aktar. David Agius ma gabx argument wieħed sura ghala ma ghandiex imorru ghand il-poplu u nħallu lilu jiġġudika. Id-diskors Ta Franco kullhadd semaw David u kullħadt jaf x'qal.Mela ghalfejn dan it-tidwir mal-lewza jekk mhux ghal poter. Inkompli nikonvinci ruhi li wasal iż-żmien ghal bidla fil-pajjiż.
denise vella •
David...nahseb hadt in-notes li tak il prim mieghak hux biex toqghod TIKKOPJA kelma b'kelma!!!
Mario Pace •
Ghailha dan kollu paroli vojt jekk ghandux jew le magoranza. Bniedem wiehed irid jiccara il-pozizzjoni. Bhal ma Franco Debono ghamel hafna stqarrijeit....issa ghandu johrog jitkellem u jghid ezatt x'se jaghmel. Inkella l-istabillita fil-pajjiz se tkun fuq spalltu u l-poplu jzommu responsabbli ta kollox!
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Nixtieq nghid lil David li min jibqa ghaddej fuq il puncture ikollu jibdel it-tyre.
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Can't understand Mr.Agius's arguments. The new PM is Franco Debono. |He holds the balance in the house. If and when not appeased, he can topple the government.
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Can't understand Mr.Agius's arguments. The new PM is Franco Debono. |He holds the balance in the house. If and when not appeased, he can topple the government.
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and why do they keep putting this issue up..the prime minister does not need to put a confidence vote twice in space of 3 months.. mates u are so lame. u lost your motion.. stick it up mates big time.
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Ma naf bl'ebda partit li ma jittamax li jiggverna u ma naf bl-ebda partit li jrid jitlef il-poter. Mhux kullhadd jissielet ghat-Trophy?
Hemm ghalfejn il-partiti joqghodu jfettu fuq dan il-punt tant ovvju?
Franco jidher li jghid hafna affarijiet bis-sens. Ghalfejn il-PN ma jghidx ghaliex ghadhom ma sarux dawn l-affarijiet?
U PL, ghalfejn ma wieghedx li jirranga n-nuqasijiet li semma Franca appena jkollu l-Poter f'idejh?
Jaqblu jew ma jaqblux ma dak li qed jghid Franco?
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David,,Imma din Originali Jew IKKUPJAJTA minghand xi hadd,,,thobb tikkopja int,,,,,,,
Xi Hadd qal li Pietru Darmanin qal Li Il- Gvern indengel b'xaghra . nistennew u naraw min ghandu ragun
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"Government enjoys Debono's trust or else he wouldn't have abstained," Agius insisted.....Sur Agius, ahna, ahna jew m'ahniex. Kieku Franco kellu trust fil-PN li int qed tghid li ghadu jifforma parti minnu kien jivvota kontra l-mozzjoni tal-PL u mhux jastjeni. Ara veru ma nafx x'hinu jigri. Jien nahseb li tliftu l-boxla. Bdejtu tirragunaw ta taht fuq xbin.
