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Fenech, De Marco yet to announce intention to run for PN deputy post
Both ministers laugh off suggestions that they had agreed not to contest a race that MEP Simon Busuttil was expected to win hands-down.
30 October 2012, 12:00am
Miriam Dalli
Miriam Dalli
2 min read
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech and Environment Minister Mario de Marco.
Two of the Nationalist Party's 'papable' candidates for deputy leader today joked about their possible nominations for the post, with tourism and environment Mario de Marco saying he would offer his support for finance minister Tonio Fenech's nomination as his campaign manager.
Addressing a joint press conference on green public procurement, the finance minister told the press that he had not yet taken a decision on whether he will be running for the post of deputy leadership.
On his part, De Marco said he would be making a declaration on whether he is running in the coming days. "I am convinced there are people with the necessary qualities for this role but there is some time to go before taking any decisions. I wish success to whoever becomes deputy leader."
Both ministers also laughed off suggestions from the Labour Party's news bulleting on One TV that contenders for the post had agreed not to contest a race that MEP Simon Busuttil was expected to win hands-down.
Nominations for the election of the PN deputy leader will be received from Wednesday 30 October until the 14 November, with a first round of the ballot to be held between 29 November and 2 December. Nationalist MP Francis Zammit Dimech is heading the electoral commission.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi wants a lively contest for the post of deputy leadership after nominating foreign minister and deputy prime minister Tonio Borg to the European Commission in the aftermath of the John Dalli resignation.
But possible contenders like De Marco, Fenech and even justice minister Chris Said have yet to declare their intentions for the post. As one government source told MaltaToday, the impression amongst party councillors is that Simon Busuttil is the prime minister's ideal choice. "And yet the party itself is apprehensive about seeing Simon run for this post on his own. So whoever is rightfully interested in challenging him for the deputy leadership is not keen on entering a contest they know they are about to lose."
Miriam Dalli joined MaltaToday.com.mt in 2010 becoming assistant editor f...
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"Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi wants a lively contest for the post of deputy leadership".
He must have found his sole candidacy for the leadership quite boring.
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Busuttil's comment on Malta requiring a bailout in two years time if PL is elected does not make sense and gives an indication of how poor Busuttil could be as a deputy leader.
Luke Camilleri •
Just like Gonzi, DILLY-DALLIying and not just coming out with it!
At the end of the day , who cares, let the battles between "friends" commence, just like the Gon - Dalli contest for the Leadership post, till Dalli got put away, to come again another day!
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Jien smajt li dawk li jixtiequ ikunu leaders flok Gonzi ma jridux jiccapsu mieghu billi ikunu vic- tieghu ghax diga jafu li hu loser fl-elezzjoni li jmiss. Mhux ta b'xejn li kulhadd qed iggib min zkuza u min ohra! Kollha ghal patria jahdmu!
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i am really not interested at all of whom may be elected deputy leader of the PN. I think that the PN has very poor candidates for this important job. Simon Busuttil has to proof himself yet, as since now he occupied only a confortable post as an MEP. What interest me most is the fact whether this vacancy had been forthcoming as a co-incidence to John Dalli's forced resignation from Commissioner or not. I do not believe in co-incidencies. I will confirm this or not in the coming weeks. I am interested also to know whether the Prim Minister or any other competent Auathority is going to take action against P.N.'s secretary P. Borg Olivier on the allegation put forward by ex Mayor Dimech, that he tried to influence the Mayor in awarding a contract worth more than a 1 million euros to the GreenMT. And wether similar action will be taken against Mayor Gonzi in awarding the same contract to GreenMT without even discussing it in a Local Council's meeting. It is alleged by councillors that the contract was not discussed in the local council and the decision was taken by Mayor Gonzi without being discussed. These are serious allegations that no one can afford to let them pass as if nothing happened. Justice is supposed to be equal to everybody. Is it?
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Mur ara kieku fl-olimpjadi dejjem ikollna kompetitur wiehed fit-tellieqa. Xi dwejjaq. Imbaghad jitkazaw b'Kim Jong Il. X'hemm differenza?
