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It was an upbeat Lawrence Gonzi that addressed the PN Executive meeting last Wednesday, MaltaToday can reveal.
The last time it had met was in July when MaltaToday had an exclusive report on the meeting.
This time around, there were no concerns raised about a disappointing European election result. In what was the second meeting of the Party’s Executive in four months, Lawrence Gonzi was in complete control and talking positive. He addressed his colleagues for a full hour outlining his policies and promising Executive members he would “change the face of Malta.”
There was a sense of urgency in his speech, a member of the Executive who did not want to be named, told MaltaToday.
“He definitely is in control, and he gives the impression that he will achieve his goals.”
Nevertheless, talking to this newspaper, the Executive member lamented that his Party’s Executive now has a functionality problem.
“We do not take decisions, we do not know what decisions are being taken,” he added.
“We are unwilling to raise fundamental issues at the moment, there is a feeling among my colleagues that if we do so it will only be counterproductive. I think we will just wait for next year to see the public’s reaction to this year’s budget.”
The Executive member’s comments come after accusations continued to be lodged at the Party for acting in a less open manner and dealing with dissent with an iron fist, an accusation that is largely levelled at the PN’s Secretary General Joe Saliba.
Little has changed in the PN’s top policy-making body which continues to perform like a talk shop rather than discuss issues and give the Party direction.
During the meeting, most ministers kept a low profile and passed few comments. However one backbencher stood out for his exemplary adulation for Lawrence Gonzi’s premiership.
Mario de Marco heaped unlimited praise on Dr Gonzi’s policies, work and endurance. His comments were considered to be ill-timed by some. Only this week, Mario de Marco’s father Guido, the former President, was regaled with similar praise by Lawrence Gonzi in an activity to mark the 40 anniversary of Independence.
Another Executive member to applaud Lawrence Gonzi was Malcolm Mifsud. The Mayor of Pieta who is also a member of the administrative council, was openly supportive of John Dalli in his bid for the PN leadership until March of this year. During the meeting Dr Mifsud spoke highly of Lawrence Gonzi as Prime Minister, supporting his style of government.
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