Interview • February 22 2004

Lawrence Gonzi: Taking relevant decisions
Lawrence Gonzi is not bothered by the comparisons being made between him and Eddie Fenech Adami. “The similarity between us is based on the political line of thought adopted by Fenech Adami throughout the years. I embrace that line of thought and in that sense prefer to be likened to Fenech Adami, rather than Alfred Sant. It is a political direction that has brought victory to the Nationalist Party and has found constant support with the electorate,” Gonzi says with satisfaction.
Gonzi does, however, stake his claim to be different. “The issue is how that political vision can be adapted to today’s needs. Today’s realities are very different from those of 30, 20 or even 10 years ago. Society has changed and the social fabric continues to change. Even the economic framework has changed radically and the political line adopted in the past has to be adjourned to modern day needs and realities.”
I meet Lawrence Gonzi at Parliament and the interview starts almost an hour late. The minister is caught up answering parliamentary questions. Midway through the interview he has to dart back into parliament to clarify a particular legal point being raised during the debate.
Gonzi returns and apologises. “And then they tell me I can’t take decisions,” he says with a telling smile on his face.
The social policy minister would not commit himself on whether he would conduct a future cabinet reshuffle if elected leader and eventually prime minister. “A mini reshuffle will have to take place. At least two vacant posts would be created; that of foreign minister because of the newly appointed EU Commissioner and the post vacated by whoever eventually becomes prime minister. But at this stage I am not going to commit myself on what I may, or may not do. First I have to wait for PN councillors to decide and when the race is over, decisions will be taken immediately.”
And Gonzi’s eventual cabinet will have place for rival contenders, John Dalli and Louis Galea.
“I already declared that I consider John Dalli and Louis Galea important elements in the government’s parliamentary group set up and I have no difficulty, if elected Prime Minister, to have them in my cabinet.”
But quizzed on whether the two will be kept in the same ministries they occupy today, Gonzi is more diplomatic with his answer.
“That is an issue one would have to decide upon when the time is ripe. I am not ready to commit myself to anybody at this stage. I have to wait for the councillors to decide and then take the relevant decisions.”
Gonzi says he will be loyal to the new leader if councillors elect either of his rivals. On his political future he comments thus: “Prime Minister Fenech Adami nominated me as minister for social policy. I am doing my utmost to fulfil my duties as I had fulfilled them during the past legislature. When the new Prime Minister takes over from Eddie Fenech Adami all ministers will offer their resignation myself included. It would then be up to the new prime minister, who I can assure you would have my total loyalty, to appoint me minister if he deems so. That would be his choice. However, I would continue to be loyal to the party whose principles I adhere to.”
One thing is certain though, Gonzi won’t be following in the steps of former president Censu Tabone, who had resigned from deputy leader when Eddie Fenech Adami was chosen leader in 1977. The lawyer does not believe he should resign the deputy leadership post if he fails in his leadership bid.
“The councillors who elected me in 1999 with a big majority in a contest between four people gave me a big vote of confidence that was overwhelmingly reconfirmed 10 months ago after the last election. I have the duty to shoulder the responsibility councillors have entrusted me with.
“It would be a negative sign if I resigned from deputy leader and the media would interpret it as me not wanting to work under the new leader. And I am not ready to give journalists the satisfaction because it’s my intention to categorically respect the decision taken by councillors.”
Gonzi believes all structures of the party can be involved in the creation of party policy, something he considers very important given that the PN will form part of a larger political family within the European People’s Party.
“The party should continually regenerate itself by keeping in tune with people’s needs. The local committees are the fingers of the party that keep us in touch with the electorate’s pulse.”
As for the party media, Gonzi says it has proved its worth by helping the party win successive elections.
“The party media is an important tool because it is one way through which the party communicates with the public. We have to modernise them and the biggest challenges is to make them financially viable,” Gonzi says.
The deputy prime minister lists deficit control as one of the priorities of the years to come. He is adamant about reaching the Maastricht deficit criteria. “We have to create a situation whereby we can take the decision to introduce the Euro in a serene way,” Gonzi argues.
Another priority is to embark on a number of capital projects to improve the quality of experience offered to tourists and investors. Gonzi also lists his vision of Malta being a bridge between the European Union and North Africa particularly at a time when Libya is opening up after years of being in the political wilderness.
Sustainable health and pensions systems, an efficient public service with a trimmed down bureaucracy and integration in the European reality, also feature in Gonzi’s list of priorities for the coming years.
A tall order indeed, but possibly not as tall as wanting to beat Labour in four years’ time after 20 years of Nationalist administration.