Gonzi confirms intention to step down as MP

In what could be his last speech in Parliament, former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that despite his imminent resignation from Parliament, he would be supporting the PN during its current transition process.

Confirming his intention to stand down from Parliament, Gonzi said that he had yet to decide which role he would occupy once he resigns his seat and he would be making an announcement on his next  endeavor in the next few days.

Wishing his successor Simon Busuttil the best he said "The Opposition must keep the government on its toes and must be constructive, propose ideas and offer an alternative."

Gonzi's address followed brief speeches by the Speaker Anglu Farrugia, his successor at the helm of the PN Simon Busuttil and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who crossed the aisle to shake hands with his former rival at the end of Gonzi's speech.

Admitting his embarrassment in what could well be his last address in Parliament, Gonzi said he was proud of having sat on all sides of the Parliament, refering to his experience as Speaker of the House, Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition in his career which span over 25 years.

Gonzi said that he was drew pride in leading a country that "created great wealth and one of the best welfare systems in the world despite its size and its limitations."

Pointing out the country's great potential he praised the people's generosity and resilience which was exposed during the Libyan crisis.

In his concluding remarks, Gonzi offered a few words of advise to Speaker Anglu Farrugia, telling him that his rulings should not be given to please one or all sides of the House, but he must make sure that his rulings were correct.

Turning to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the former PN leader said: "The Prime Minister's job is not easy...I wish him the best because he shoulders the great responsibility of taking the best decisions in the interest of our families and our country."

PN leader Simon Busuttil described Gonzi as "a statesman who put the national interest above anything else."

"I thank Lawrence Gonzi for leaving behind him a modern and developed country with a bright future ahead of it," Busuttil said. 

Busuttil said his predecessor was the architect of the country's modernisation and had left the country in a better state than the one he took over.

"Post EU accession, Lawrence Gonzi took a number of important decisions and the introduction of the Euro in 2008 and joining the Schengen Agreement are among his greatest achievements," Busuttil said.

Citing pension reform, Air Malta's restructuring and other landmarks achievements in Goinzi's nine years in office, Busuttil said that despite paying a political price for some of these decisions, Gonzi went ahead with them in the national interest.

"Above all Lawrence Gonzi built an economic model based on three pillars; work, health and education," the new PN leader sent. 

Busuttil also sang Gonzi's praises for achieving €1.1 billion in EU funds and for his central role in the Libyan crisis in 2010.

On his part, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said: "In my opinion, Gonzi joins the list of the great Prime Ministers this country had, which forged the country's fortunes throughout the years."

"I feel a little bit awkward in trying to predict Lawrence Gonzi's decision whether to he will remain an MP or not and I hope he does stay on because he has a lot to offer," Muscat said to great applause from the Opposition benches.

Praising Gonzi's abilities, Muscat said: "It was not an easy task to face you everyday for five years but I must say it was a great honour."

He expressed hope that he would have the same loyal and frirendly relationship with Gonzi's successor Simon Busuttil.

Saying he would stray away from mentioning Gonzi decisions which he did not agree with, Muscat thanked Gonzi for placing the rights of disabled persons on the national agenda as the first chairman of the Commission for Persons with Disability in the eighties.

He added that Gonzi's wife, Kate should also take credit for the important role she played

Muscat also thanked former Labour Prime Minister Alfred Sant for his service to the country and his crucial role in fostering healthy Parliamentary debates in his years on the Opposition benches.

Speaker Anglu Farrugia thanked Gonzi and praised the former Prime Minister for the sterling work he carried out in his long political career, including his eight-year stint as Speaker of the House.