Gonzi in urgent strategy group meeting on margins of gaming conference

Government ministers were today witnessed at the Corinthia San Gorg hotel to attend what seemed like an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, shortly after he took the podium to address an international dgital gaming conference, themed 'A digital strategy for Malta'.

But while Gonzi and finance minister Tonio Fenech were the only two government officials expected to address the conference at 9:30am, journalists witnessed security personnel ushering in foreign minister Tonio Borg, investments minister Austin Gatt, justice minister Chris Said, Malta's permanent representative to the EU Richard Cachia Caruana, MEP David Casa and Castille's chief-of-staff Edgar Galea Curmi in the hotel and into a separate conference room at 9am.

The only notable absentee was the Prime Minister's special envoy Simon Busuttil. On Gonzi's confirmation as PN leader in February, the MEP was charged with organising meetings with civil society in an attempt to bring the party closer to the people.  

Gonzi had been at the hotel since 8:15am. He was closely followed by investments mininister Austin Gatt, who reportedly has been in charge of the party's strategy group together with Richard Cachia Caruana.  

The ministers were seen entering the hotel, where they were later joined by Gonzi in the business centre. The Prime Minister's personal assistant Josephine Vassallo stood outside the door where the meeting was taking place.

The meeting took at least 40 minutes. All ministers, except Gonzi and Tonio Fenech, left the room, refusing to comment to the media.

Gonzi later released a comment as he walked towards his car, saying "today was a day dedicated to the strategy being discussed here today" - without going into any further detail.

The government yesterday evening insisted that the Budget Measures Implementation Bill vote must be taken before discussing the Opposition's motions of censure on Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and Malta's permanent representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana. "All other business, including the two motions presented by the opposition today should be debated after 9 May and as decided by the House Business Committee."

Another resolution related to the setting-up of the special purpose vehicle to finance the City Gate project and a Bill to extend the membership of the MCESD will be moved, debated and voted upon before 9 May.

The statement was issued after Opposition leader Joseph Muscat announced he will present two motions in parliament to have the House debate with urgency the Opposition's motion on justice and home affairs, and a motion of censure of permanent representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana.

An adjournment motion proposes that the House adjourns as a way of having a debate carried forward. The motions give Parliament three days to discuss and vote on the censure motions in Carm Mifsud Bonnici and Richard Cachia Caruana.