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He supported Lawrence Gonzi in his bid for leader. He comes from a younger generation of Nationalists and is a devout Demo-Christian. A lawyer by profession and politician by choice, Tonio Borg says he will form a good tandem with the PN’s new leader
The man tipped to fill in the post of deputy leader, Tonio Borg, has his feet firmly stuck in the political centre, a position, which he concedes may instigate criticism from all sides of the ideological compass.
But his is a position borne out of conviction. “I was one who supported the movement in the late seventies, spearheaded by Eddie Fenech Adami, to move the party towards the political centre by embracing the Christian Democratic principles.
“That decision led the party to break the vote barrier and achieved the absolute majority of support in 1981 for the first time. Before then the Nationalist Party had never obtained an absolute majority. And the level of support has never waned since 1981.”
Borg describes himself as a mainstream politician and is convinced that he and Lawrence Gonzi will steer the party to another victory at the polls. A good tandem, is how Borg describes the probable Gonzi-Borg leadership team.
“I feel comfortable working with Dr Gonzi and had the opportunity of co-ordinating with him also at a ministerial level. I feel I can contribute to his vision of being close to the people,” Borg says.
He smiles and points out that this is the first time the Nationalist Party has a leader from the second district. “In Cottonera the party has increased its support over the last two elections and Lawrence Gonzi will ensure the PN will retain its second seat on the district.”
The deputy leadership contest has been lacklustre. It seems all the energy has been spent in the hotly contested leadership race concluded more than a week ago.
However, Borg concedes that a common trait among PN councillors he is meeting is their apprehension that the party’s central administration may be losing its human touch.
He explains: “The feedback I am getting is that councillors are concerned that the party may be fine tuned to win elections and fear that in perfecting the electoral machine the administration may be losing touch with its grass roots. But I believe that Lawrence Gonzi’s first gesture as party leader – visiting the party employees working on night shift at Independence Print – was a sign that he intends following on the promise he made that the party will be inclusive.”
Borg says the enthusiasm created throughout the party during the leadership race must be used and he hints at a proposal, possibly in the pipeline, to have a desk officer at Pieta where party clubs and members can refer to with complaints, suggestions and ideas.
Being elected to the leadership of a party in government for the past 16 years and with the likely prospect of losing the next election may not exactly be the ideal way of ensuring a lengthy stay at the top. But Borg is not fazed by the argument.
“It may be comfortable changing leader when in Opposition but it can also be frustrating because the new leader is not able to implement his vision and principles. Gonzi has the advantage of being elected at a time when he can start delivering.
“I don’t think 16 years in power should be an issue. The Conservative Party in Britain still managed to win an election after Margaret Thatcher was replaced. If the party brings in new faces and renews its methods there is nothing that should prevent it from winning another election.”
I ask Borg for his comments on the general perception that he is a weak decision maker.
“Lawrence Gonzi was also criticised in the same vein but from my experience he can take good decisions without ignoring the social aspect. For how long had we been complaining on the abuses in social services? It is easy to complain but it was Dr Gonzi, who took the decision to cut down on the abuse.
“His action saved public coffers Lm5 million that went to finance other social projects. It was Dr Gonzi who led the discussions on the Drydocks issue and managed to broker an agreement. Lawrence is a very good listener, but that does not mean he cannot take decisions.
“As for me, the home affairs ministry is one where decisions have to be taken all the time. Was it easy to find a balance between national security requirements and human considerations when dealing with asylum seekers? My heart goes out to those whose refugee status is rejected but I cannot do otherwise because of security considerations.
“There are other decisions that have to be taken as regards the police corps and the judiciary. Because a person looks quiet it does not mean he cannot take hard decisions.”
This is when I interject. When former police commissioner George Grech was being accused of alleged rape he continued occupying his dual post of Police Commissioner and Head of the Security Service. Why didn’t you ask for his temporary resignation until the investigation came to a close, I ask Borg.
“After the conclusion of the magistrate’s inquiry, like is customary in similar cases, the Attorney General gave his opinion on the matter. According to the AG there were no grounds on which to prosecute against George Grech.
“At the time, my position and that of government was very straightforward. We were ready to take all decisions necessary if it resulted that Grech was guilty of the allegations.
“In other cases police officers were only suspended when court proceedings had actually started not when they were being investigated. We handled the case as we had to.”
Emerging from the long shadow of Eddie Fenech Adami’s legacy will not be an easy task for Lawrence Gonzi, but Borg believes the outgoing leader will ensure the new leader has the spotlight all to himself.
“Eddie Fenech Adami will definitely leave a big void. Gorg Borg Olivier also left a big void, the difference being he had lost two consecutive elections. But, knowing Eddie, he will not steal the limelight from Dr Gonzi.”
And with the possibility of Eddie Fenech Adami being appointed president, I ask Borg for his views on a non-partisan presidential candidate. “That avenue had been explored in 1994 and the Labour Party had rejected the nomination of Anthony Galdes because they wanted him to occupy the post for just three years. I believe the road should be explored again as long as the person is knowledgeable in politics.”
Does Eddie Fenech Adami possess the qualities to become president?
Borg has no qualms: “I have no doubt. He does have the qualities, but it also depends whether he wants the post as well.”
It has been rumoured that Tonio Borg will be the next social policy minister in Gonzi’s new Cabinet, but when I raise the issue, he lawyerly brushes aside the argument.
“Appointing the Cabinet is the prime minister’s sole prerogative and contrary to what most journalists think this is not an issue discussed at Cabinet level. I haven’t been involved in any discussions on the issue. The home affairs ministry is a difficult portfolio, but not monotonous. I am happy here, but would accept any other portfolio the Prime Minister may decide to give me.”
As for the qualities the new prime minister might be looking for in prospective Cabinet members, Borg lists competence, loyalty, geographic distribution and popularity.
“Lawrence Gonzi will have to put all these qualities in his pot and cook up a Cabinet. It’s not an easy decision but I believe the idea of a new generation taking over the party will also be reflected in the new team.”
I pop the million dollar question, one to which Lawrence Gonzi has been quite evasive about recently. Do Louis Galea, John Dalli and Francis Zammit Dimech (if he loses the deputy leadership contest) have a place in the Nationalist Party and the new Cabinet?
“Most definitely, they are pillars in this party. None of the people who contested the post of deputy leader in 1999 have left the party, they still had their place and the same holds for the people you mentioned. I cannot see the PN without them and I have no doubt that they have a place in the Cabinet.”
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