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PN councillors one vote short for no confidence motion in Sliema mayor
Nationalist party councillors need six-man majority to pass motion of no confidence vote in mayor tomorrow, but one councillor is still abroad.
1 September 2010, 12:00am
Matthew Vella
Matthew Vella
1 min read
With one councillor on holiday and two resignations from what was an eight-man majority, Sliema’s PN councillors will not be able to depose mayor Nikki Dimech tomorrow.
The councillors last week presented a motion of no confidence in Dimech, who was expelled from the PN after signing a statement of admission that he had demanded commissions on the award of a council contract.
Dimech yesterday pleaded not guilty to bribery charges presented against him in court.
He may yet manage to overcome an onslaught from his former PN colleagues, who are hamstrung by a missing vote.
Formerly an eight-man majority, the resignation of Dimech and that of Sandra Camilleri, who claimed to have been coerced by PN secretary-general Paul Borg Olivier in signing the impeachment motion, leaves supporters of the motion with six votes.
According to local council legislation, mayors can be impeached by a motion of no confidence by a majority of all councillors in office – meaning the election of deputy mayor Joanna Gonzi to mayor can only be secured with six votes.
PN councillor Patrick Pace is reportedly on holiday in Russia, while mayor Nikki Dimech, now an independent councillor, claiming he is “firmly on [his] side”.
MaltaToday also understands the Labour party will direct its councillors – Martin Debono, Marianne Aquilina, and Nikolai Gauci – to abstain from voting on the motion.
Matthew Vella, a freelance journalist at MaltaToday, was formerly executive editor at Malt...
joseph mercieca •
If what I read is true, could please the Labour Party explain why our three councillors are going to abstain. Nikky is a good and popular mayor apart from being nobody's puppet. I heard he also has a good working relationship with the Labour members. SO WHY THE HELL ARE THEY GOING TO ABSTAIN AND NOT VOTE AGAINST. IS THIS THE NEW POLICY OF PL, SITTING ON THE FENCE AND PLAYING PONTIUS PILOT. COME ON SHOW SOME GUTS AND STEP UP TO THE PLATE IF NOT FOR NIKKY AT LEAST TO SHOW THAT YOUR ARE DISGUSTED WITH THIS TRAVESTY.
Anette B Cassar •
I can be Interdicters. Just to remind the family of the sins of the past. :D
Stephen Cassar •
What are you talking about. I saw Patrick Pace walking in Sliema this afternoon. I think you better check your sources!!!!
Christopher Galea Scannura •
How come other media reported that Patrick Pace has returned?
Cecilia Grech •
I think the 3 labour councillers should vote in favour of Nicky Dimech. He was doing fine and deserves to rest as Mayor.
Manfred Borg
Joe Tanti •
HA..HA..HA... Mhux biss ghalihom w ghall uliedhom imma anke ghal kugini,neputijiet,partners,hbieb ecc . Hbieb il kunjom G.O.N.Z.I. illum ifisser Goverment OF Nationalists Zealots issa l-ittra I inhalli lilkom tfisruha.
Lino Camilleri •
jekk miniex sejjer zball din tigi il mara tal kugin ta gonzi. ALL IN THE FAMILY
•
Just Ray doesn't her surname ring a bell?
•
who is this Joanna Gonzi to be so important that the Sliema Council have her as Mayor? Can some one explain please?
