Debono blames political instability on Gonzi’s ‘short-sightedness’

Speaking to MaltaToday, Franco Debono said the motion of censure on home affairs minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici only concerns one individual minister and not the government. 

The Nationalist MP said this in reaction to the speech held by fellow MP Edwin Vassallo who equated a motion against a minister to a vote against the whole government.

Asked whether this is a move to pile pressure on him and refrain from voting for the motion, Debono said "this is bullying."

Debono also hit out at the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi for "naming Mifsud Bonnici as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in the Cabinet re-shuffle in January, when Gonzi was aware that the minister was facing a motion of censure."

"This shows the Prime Minister's poor leadership and his short-sightedness," Debono said. He also lambasted Gonzi's record since taking the helm of the Nationalist Party and noted that "Gonzi has lost all elections as party leader with the sole exception of the 2008 general election which was gifted to him by Labour."

Debono also blamed the political instability on the Prime Minister because he "chose Mifsud Bonnici's interests ahead of the national interest by delaying the debate on the Opposition's motion."

He noted that "the Prime Minister could have resolved the issue of stability months ago if he had held the Parliamentary debate and vote earlier."

The Nationalist MP who has been calling for parliamentary and institutional reform added that the Prime Minister had not taken heed of his advice to hold the elections in March 2012 together with the local council elections, "however the Prime Minister can call an election at any time if he feels that he cannot govern the country."

 "If anyone suffered from psychological violence, it was me as I still have police officials guarding my family's house. Unlike others, I do not want to play the victim, but once family members have been brought into the equation, I must say that even some members of my family have been and are still going through health problems," Debono said.

He added that he has been targeted by his own party for "criticising the way the government is led and put forward a number of positive proposals." A resolute Debono said "attempts to destroy everything I have earned and built in my lifetime are futile."

Debono said that in normal circumstances, a minister who does not make the grade should resign out if his own accord and not hang on to power.

He made it clear that he has absolutely no intention of defending the Opposition's motion but said that he is "hurt" because the motion he presented on justice and home affairs, one month before the Opposition tabled the motion of censure has still not been discussed.

While explaining that during Mifsud Bonnici's tenure people have died while in police custody and in prison and the police have been involved in a number of shoot-outs, Debono said that "it is presumptuous to play the victim."

He added that Mifsud Bonnici is no common minister as he is also the Leader of the House and the motion of censure also applies to his function as the minister responsible from Parliament.