Lawrence Gonzi submits leadership to PN secret ballot

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi today put his leadership to a secret ballot by the party's General Council, asking councillors to reconfirm him as party leader and grant him unconditional backing to govern the country right to the end of its electoral mandate.

Gonzi said at the end of his speech to the PN councillors that they will be asked to vote by secret ballot to either reconfirm him as leader, or open the road for a new election for the PN leadership.

His announcement was met by a standing ovation, as Gonzi swore loyalty to the PN General Council and promised he would open the party to "all those who are ready to work with us" and govern to the end of his electoral mandate.

Earlier on Gonzi called on the members of the party to ask themselves the question whether his government should keep governing to the end of its mandate, after reiterating his belief that calling early elections was not the way to go.

Gonzi said it was his constitutional duty to keep governing the country as long as he enjoys the trust of the members of the PN's General Council, the highest decision-making organ of the party. "Early elections should only take place if there is no other option," Gonzi said.

There were no councillors invited to talk on stage, contrary to the usual proceedings of the PN conference, instead seeing the PN's deputy leader Tonio Borg, secretary-general Paul Borg Olivier, and party executive president Marthese Bonello take the podium.

The PN had convened its general council after having called on Nationalist MP Franco Debono, who announced he will withdraw his support for the government after the 6 January cabinet reshuffle, to resign his parliament seat.

"It is a difficult moment, but a challenge we don't shy away from," Gonzi said. "We are a party which takes democracy right to the heart of our party... it is a moment that now demands, more than ever, maturity, wisdom, calm and serenity. We need to ask ourselves the fundamental question of what is the right thing to do, the right thing in the country's interest."

The prime minister however admitted that the abstention of Nationalist MP Franco Debono in last week's no-confidence motion that was moved by the Opposition, meant the government could not function in a 'business as usual' fashion.

"We have to draw our conclusions from this abstention. How long can we keep governing to the end of this mandate? I have already said this merits a serious consideration, and in my conscience I know it is not business as usual."

Amid the triumphal tone of his speech, Gonzi made provision for some humble pie. "In hindsight I could have taken decisions differently, or taken different decisions... I accept the fact that there are people who will criticise and suggest alternatives. But our policies have been crucial in allowing our country to move forward... I remain open to see the PN represent all genuine beliefs that keep our country move forward, to work together and pull the same rope together."

Gonzi did not fail to draw comparisons between austerity-stricken countries in the rest of Europe, where the sovereign debt crisis has crippled so many economies.

"We're not like other countries who are imposing austerity cuts, stopping social benefits, cutting down on spending and closing down regional and local councils," Gonzi said, hot on the heels of Fitch's confirmation of Malta's A rating.

"We paid a political price that was worth it, because I hold my head up high today that we are not a humbled country like so many others," Gonzi said of his economic record. "We have these certificates and excellent results in tourism and financial services. We have a good reputation that allows us to seek credit whenever we need."

Gonzi also criticised Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, for moving a no-confidence motion that had "no basis apart from bringing down the government."

"We did not get the majority of votes because one of our MPs abstained, not voted with the Opposition," Gonzi said. "Of course, I expected the Opposition to move a motion of no-confidence, but this motion was only intended at dead-legging the government by using the vote of one its own MPs. My question is: why should this government lose the House's confidence, and what are you [Joseph Muscat] proposing?"

"It's not the end of the world for me. There are decisions I take that not everyone agrees with. That's politics. I may not agree with the method and style [of Debono's disagreement], but what's wrong in having someone disagree with you?" Gonzi said.

"It's OK to criticise us on our energy policy, but what are you proposing," Gonzi said referring to Muscat. "We heard nothing of this in his address to his party's general conference."

Gonzi also made great capital of Joseph Muscat's comparison of the government to the 1981 Labour administration that was returned to power on a majority of seats and not on a majority of votes.

"What an insult to our country's democracy... that he compares my government to a Labour government that stole an election and continued to govern right up to its last day in power, is a gross indecency. It is scandalous."

Gonzi also quipped that the 'guillotine' motion by Labour to restrict the no-confidence debate to three hours was a "tear-gas motion", in another reference to police violence under the 1980s administration.

"My government is neither illegitimate like the 1981 government, nor has it lost a vote of confidence as Labour did in 1998," Gonzi said.