Gonzi meets backbenchers ahead of PN group meeting
Karl Stagno-Navarra Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has been summoning backbenchers individually in a bid to hear them out ahead of next Tuesday’s PN parliamentary group meeting, this newspaper is informed.
The meeting – which will be held at 6pm at a venue yet to be established – is considered to be crucial in view of the unrest triggered by a recent reshuffle. MPs have also been informed that another meeting will be held on Thursday evening.
Government sources said that Gonzi has been finding time for private one-to-one meetings with individual members of his disgruntled backbench and is taking note of their concerns – so far vented privately or in the media – about the PN and government’s performance.
Sources close to Castille told MaltaToday that “serious consideration” has been given to recent remarks made by MPs about the possibility of the prime minster being “challenged”. Aides have reportedly been seeking ways of protecting Gonzi from the possibility of an escalation of events.
MPs who preferred not to be identified at this stage, and who have already met with the Prime Minister over the past three days, described their meetings as “positive”. Some even added they “felt much better” that the PM gave them time to talk.
The first to be heard by the Prime Minister was Floriana MP Jean-Pierre Farrugia, who was summoned last Sunday afternoon to Villa Francia in Lija, just ‘hours’ after MaltaToday published details about an email he sent to Gonzi and his parliamentary colleagues.
In his email, the three-times elected MP warned that Gonzi could be challenged unless he restores a ‘social conscience’ to his government, and that he would not stand for the stubbornness coming from the leadership.
Farrugia’s declaration that he would veto the upcoming reform to primary healthcare was immediately neutralised by the Prime Minister, who asked his newly-appointed health minister Joe Cassar to shrug off the general practitioners’ lobby – whom Farrugia claimed were being favoured in the reform.
On Monday, Cassar announced that “considerable changes” were expected to be made to the document, as Cabinet had agreed that the way forward was for “more consultation”.
Last Wednesday, MaltaToday reported that aides to the Prime Minister had recommended that the only way forward for him was to confront his MPs “no matter how loud they shout”; but he was also advised to have the last word and to challenge his MPs to see if they really intended to cripple his government.
According to one official, Gonzi is being guided to respond to his critics by asking them to list the alternatives and “credible” solutions to their complaints.
But next Tuesday’s meeting is being considered as “crucial” for the Prime Minister and his entourage, as they face the daunting task of deciphering the way ahead within an already complicated situation.
The fact that some MPs have already vented their frustration may have a positive effect on the workings of the parliamentary group meeting. Others, however, still have axes to grind with the party leadership, particularly where personal attacks are concerned.
Newly-elected MP Peter Micallef – elected in a casual election for the seat vacated by John Dalli – will find himself in the midst of such turmoil, and split between the ‘inner core’ and the anti-‘GonziPN’ front. Also a family doctor, Micallef has so far not commented about the proposed healthcare reform.
Tuesday’s and Thursday’s meetings, however, are set to transform themselves into an important gauge for the PM’s political survival as strategic issues, such as the upcoming debates on the water and electricity tariffs, and the controversial adjudication of the Delimara Power Station €250 million contract.
While some MPs have taken note of the national protest that is to take place in Valletta next Sunday, they are reportedly preparing a proposal for Gonzi and finance minister Tonio Fenech – who has now taken over responsibility for Enemalta and WSC – as to what measures can be taken to alleviate the burden of the increased tariffs.
The power station contract remains a major worry for the PM as the Auditor General is reportedly set to publish his inquiry on alleged irregularities in the controversial adjudicating process to Danish firm BWSC.
Nationalist backbenchers have privately expressed discomfort at voting against a motion as brought forward by the Leader of the Opposition, in case of proven irregularities. Should the Auditor’s verdict be damning for government, it is set to cause new delays in strengthening Enemalta’s energy needs and further cement national perceptions of corruption.
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.
Search:
MALTATODAY
BUSINESSTODAY
Download MaltaToday Sunday issue front page in pdf file format
