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Austin Gatt: ‘I will not resign’ – Franco Debono files motion of no-confidence
Nationalist MP files motion of no-confidence against Austin Gatt today.
4 October 2012, 12:00am
Miriam Dalli
Miriam Dalli
2 min read
Updated at 4pm and adds the no-confidence motion filed by Franco Debono.
Transport minister Austin Gatt has put paid to claims that he might resign as Cabinet minister in pre-empting a Labour motion with which Nationalist MP Franco Debono wants to tie a no-confidence motion against him.
"Franco Debono says many things and everybody has to take responsibility for what they say," Gatt said of the Nationalist MP's open-faced rebellion and threat to vote against the next Budget if Gatt stays on as minister.
"I have no intention of resigning," Gatt said when asked about Debono's intention not to support the next Budget with Gatt as minister. Debono had already abstained on a motion of no-confidence against Gatt moved by Labour back in November 2011 over the public transport reform.
In the meantime, Nationalist MP Franco Debono has confirmed with MaltaToday that he will be presenting a detailed a motion of no-confidence against Gatt over his stewardship of the Delimara power station extension tender, the public transport reform, and the privatisation of the public car parks.
Debono is expected to make his intentions clear in today's House Business Committee meeting.
Gatt's statement may go a long way in confirming that he will not be stepping down as Cabinet minister unless either the Labour motion - which calls for the repeal of the privatisation of public car parks - or Debono's motion of no-confidence is actually included in the forthcoming parliamentary agenda.
Whether the Labour motion is discussed before the Budget, which is earmarked for mid-November, is to be decided in the House Business Committee which takes place this afternoon.
Lawrence Gonzi cannot depend on the vote of Franco Debono, who has called for an urgent debate on the Labour motion, while independent MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando - now holding the balance in the House - is backing the call for the debate to take place before the Budget.
The Cabinet has already repealed the privatisation of the public car parks, but Labour is not withdrawing the motion.
Going by his recent declarations, Debono will now table a motion of no-confidence rather than amend the Labour motion, against Gatt. If successful at all, Gatt's resignation would possibly mean Debono will not vote against the Budget, a crucial money bill which government has to pass.
Miriam Dalli joined MaltaToday.com.mt in 2010 becoming assistant editor f...
Luke Camilleri •
U Gonzi fejn qieghed waqt li qieghed jigri dan kollhu, jiprova isalva id-Dinja waqt li abbundana il-Pajjiz?
Veru tal Miki-Maws dawn il- PNtomimi bil-buzullotti li jidhru ma ma huma sejrin jispiccaw QATT b'Austin Gatt!
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The irony of the situation is that Alfred Sant's government was brought down on account of a parking site for yachts issue and now it seem that Gonzi's government will be brought down because of a parking issue for cars. Poetic justice one could say or perhaps a reality manifestation of the theatre of the absurd. This is national tragic comedy at its best or at its worst if you see what I mean.
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Weakest government ever.
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All these shenanigans are showing up the Labour opposition as a weak organisation. With all their experienced folk around, they are unable to act decisively, but to walk along meekly till doomsday, led from the nose by the PN's dominant clique. It is clear they are impotent to help the Maltese electorate in their hour of need. I would not even suggest asking for help from the President and the Ecclesiastical authorities. These are toothless and have been shown to be totally irrelevant to today's needs. Would a saviour come forward in this hour of grave need?
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I honestly think that Minister Austin Gatt should not have shunned that young lady at the University after his talk. I think that is what started his demise. He showed arrogance and lack of class towards that young lady and never apologized or bothered to acknowledge her. Big mistake Austin Gatt. I still think you owe that young lady a public apology.
Paul Sammut •
Austin won't resign. Now one can clearly see that he probably put the two fingers up to Gonzi when asked to leave his ministry to run the GonziPN election campaign. One rightly wonders who leads in GonziPN.
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It's Dr:Debono dictate what has to be done in parlament.He has the pair strong of hands not the prim minister at the moment in parlament. If Franco decide to vote against the budget then Gonzipn will have to step down and call an early election. It also applies to you Austin 'pipi' Gatt. Franco warn you that you will not have his vote that can an enable you to get your motion of the privatisation of the 34 car park to go through. Now you realised that FD is more powerful in parlament rather than you [Dr:Gatt] otherwise you have to step down from your ministery as you are hoping and the vote for the budget will go through.It looks that this is the game of Gonzipn in parlament to get the budget go through.
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x soap opera. imma l importanti li kollox miexi sew u gvern stabbli !!!
ma nafx nidhakx ,nibki jew nahlef li ma naqrax aktar gazzetti fuq Politika
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I am sorry but I do not concur with your last para i.e. that Debo9no will not vote against the budget since Gatt would not be a member of the Cabinet. One has to remember that A. Gatt declared publicly that the plan for the privatisation of the car parks had the support and eventual approval of the whole cabinet. So the motion of no confidence in A. Gatt in respect of this matter effectively would be also a motion against the whole Cabinet.
Zack Depasquale •
How long is this tennis match going to go on?
