KARL STAGNO-NAVARRA explains how the PN grassroots’ core has reacted to Gonzi’s “bunch of newcomers”
Labour’s landslide victory yesterday immediately flung open the doors to the blame game that has started within the PN.
Within seconds from PN secretary-general Paul Borg Olivier’s appearance on all TV stations broadcasting from the Naxxar counting hall, conceding the heavy defeat to labour, you could clearly see the divisions within the PN counting agents and delegates.
Party counting agents and delegates are grassroots supporters and canvassers to most of the PN parliamentary group, and when they speak you can clearly detect what is brewing within the party.
The diehard grassroots support is firmly anchored in the Eddie Fenech Adami legacy, while others are known for their allegiance to PN leader Lawrence Gonzi.
What was interesting to note is that in Naxxar, PN representatives were already prepared for defeat, but were shocked to learn of the scale of the defeat. Those who first got wind of a possible 57% win for Labour with an average 30,000 to 35,000 votes majority, triggered the whispering campaign on the blame game.
It was more than evident from the Lawrence Gonzi loyalists that the guns must turn onto Borg Olivier, when in reality he had absolutely nothing to do with the campaign.
Instead he was solely allocated the humiliating role of giving a brave face on TV to concede defeat and announce the shocking result.
Listening to the conversations between the usual cliques inside the PN canteen in Naxxar, the Fenech Adami loyalists were evidently angry to learn about the immediate manoeuvres to blame Borg Olivier for the defeat, and in turn were aiming their guns on the so called ‘newcomers bunch’ who are close to Gonzi and work in his secretariat in Castille.
They claim these have become too “over-confidently powerful” and that they dictate the PN’s political agenda.
Others have turned their guns on Investments Minister Austin Gatt, blamed for the way the utility tariffs were introduced, and accused of being “arrogant” by not being around on voting day, saying he was seen in Gozo sporting shorts and enjoying the sun.
The Austin Gatt posse – predominantly present with security tags – were livid to hear these whispers and were heard spreading the word that Gatt was instructed to stay away from the campaign.
The situation turned farcical when MEP Simon Busuttil entered the counting hall and gave his comments to Net TV. A group of PN delegates close to table 5 were heard commenting between themselves, “here he comes… he will get it too…”
The blame game will take another dimension this morning, when the factions inside the PN headquarters will start plotting their strategy. Their battlefield will be the upcoming PN General Council, where their armies will surely clash.
Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below. Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.
Download front page in pdf file format
All the interviews from Reporter on MaltaToday's YouTube channel.
