Franco Debono relents as PN backs Gonzi: ‘my criticism was valid all the way’

Additional reporting by Bianca Caruana.

The backbencher whose insurrection against the prime minister on the day of the 6 January cabinet reshuffle started the ball rolling for Lawrence Gonzi's approval poll, has patted himself on the back for catalysing the necessary change inside the PN.

Franco Debono, who went as far as calling on Lawrence Gonzi to resign as prime minister after being left out of the cabinet reshuffle, congratulated the PN leader for submitting himself to the PN's general council's approval, saying the government "needed a reality check".

"My criticism and argument were valid all the way. Gonzi acknowledged that not everything was ok and that change was needed. I congratulate him for winning the leadership contest and for acknowledging the situation. If things change, it will be thanks to the stand I have taken," Debono said.

Lawrence Gonzi was confirmed as PN leader with over 96% of the general council's 899 voters, and has appointed MEP Simon Busuttil his special delegate to organise internal meetings with civil society - part of a reach-out campaign ahead of the general elections.

Debono however reiterated that he would have preferred seeing his party financing law getting some attention in Gonzi's leadership election.

"It's clear he has acknowledged the relevance and validity of my arguments and criticism, and it comes with a certain responsibility, especially from those who are advising the prime minister," Debono said, ostensibly referring to those he called the 'network of evil' surrounding Lawrence Gonzi.

"Today's declarations would be meaningless if the issues of political responsibility, the oligarchy and constitutional reforms dealing with the distribution of power among institutions are not urgently tackled," Debono said.

Debono's previous stands against his parliamentary group, absenting himself from crucial votes, led to the creation of the parliamentary assistants: backbenchers serving as stand-ins to government ministers. He has previously abstained on the Opposition's no-confidence votes against transport minister Austin Gatt and the government, and hints that he would bring down the government with his vote now seem to have been put paid. He currently chairs a parliamentary committee that will push for a code of administrative law, while his party financing bill has so far not yet been tabled by the government.