Busuttil ‘the uniting force’ enjoys Franco Debono’s support

Nationalist MEP Simon Busutill enjoys the support of backbencher Franco Debono for the post of deputy leader of the PN.

Widely expected to be the next deputy leader, Busuttil was the first to officially announce that he will be submitting his nomination for the election of deputy leader, following the vacancy created by the resignation of Tonio Borg after his nomination as member of the European Commission.

In comments to MaltaToday, Debono described Busuttil as "a uniting force" and added that it was the change the PN needed to replace the likes of Transport Minister Austin Gatt and former justice minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici.

"Simon [Busuttil] unites the party and he speaks of reconciliation while others only think about confrontation. I am ready to support his nomination," he said, adding that Busuttil was the favoured to win.

On Thursday, Busuttil said on Radio 101 that he was not against reconciliation with Debono and others, as long as everyone assumed his responsibilities. But in a reaction, the PN said its position against Debono still holds.

According to Debono, this "position" was Austin Gatt's stand against him.

But if anyone thought that the PN's strong statement appeared as some mise-en-scène to shore up Busuttil's image as a conciliatory deputy leader candidate, Debono suggests otherwise:

"If it was a ruse, then they probably did it to discourage me from contesting the leadership election," Debono, adding that in reality it had never crossed his mind to take such a step.

"I never thought about contesting the election, and it never even crossed my mind. However, many did approach me," he said.

On Friday, Debono also told MaltaToday that he will ask PN secretary-general Paul Borg Olivier to grant him access to the party accounts, before deciding whether to contest the deputy leader election to be held between 29 November and 2 December.

Turning his attention towards government, Debono said that it was "unheard of" that a government goes ahead to present its budget while there's a pending motion of no confidence against one of its ministers.

"Austin Gatt is the albatross around the government's neck. Government presenting the budget is basically a waste of time," the rebel MP reiterated.

Last week, Debono also said that he'll be voting against the budget if Gatt retains his position as minister.

"Budget 'bye bye'," Debono said. "Austin Gatt has to go. I stand by what I said over the budget. If Gatt remains minister I will not vote for it, even if the budget is manna from heaven."