Ministers and councillors rally behind Tonio Fenech against Busuttil

Tonio Fenech's nomination of 130 councillors is not only indicative - it betrays the widespread backing the Finance Minister enjoys with PN councillors and Cabinet ministers.

Cabinet ministers are incensed at Simon Busuttil, as they feel has been unfairly anointed and enjoys a free ride of publicity while they get all the flak.

Busuttil was touted for the post by Joe Saliba, who has effectively taken over the role of secretary-general, presently occupied by Paul Borg Olivier.

Sources within the PN told MaltaToday that Saliba had convinced Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi that with Busuttil promoted to deputy leader, the PN had a good chance of winning the next general election.

Nonetheless, ministers have taken advantage of Simon Busuttil's rapprochement with Nationalist MP Franco Debono and independent MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, and rallied together to find a contender to contest and defeat him.

Councillors have also taken badly to Busuttil's decision to appear 'understanding' with the two dissidents. Debono and Pullicino Orlando are derided figures among Nationalist diehards, and they have accused Busuttil of being insensitive to the party.

Tonio Fenech enjoys all the support he needs from Cabinet ministers, with the singular exception of Health Minister Joe Cassar.

Ministers have promised the support of their loyal posse of councillors to galvanise support for Fenech. Fenech's Budget speech is timed just before the election for the deputy Prime Minister, and is expected to give a further boost against Simon Busuttil.

In an interview with MaltaToday, Fenech took Pullicino Orlando and rebel Nationalist MP Franco Debono to task on the manner in which they respectively broke parliamentary ranks.

Asked to comment on their political dissidence, Fenech remarked that while diversity within a political party is desirable, any discussion or disagreement should take place internally.

"I strongly believe that any discussion should be carried out within the structures of the party. This exists within every structure," Fenech insisted.

He conceded that while not all issues are met with agreement across the board even at Cabinet level, "once you take a decision, it should be supported by everyone."

Fenech said that it was this point that "some members do not seem to appreciate."

He said he agreed with the PN's decision to bar Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Franco Debono from contesting the coming general election on is ticket.

"We did not expel them," he said, insisting that the two "simply lack the ability to remain in a team".