PM shows his staying power as he rallies MPs ahead of crucial vote
Karl Stagno-Navarra Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has managed to secure a majority for tomorrow’s parliamentary vote on a motion presented by Opposition leader Joseph Muscat against the revised utility tariffs.
In tomorrow’s debate, the Prime Minister is set to announce his government’s intention to “monitor” the impact of the revised tariffs closely, promising intervention with further assistance to families and businesses in need.
MPs are expected to speak freely about their concerns on the tariffs and repeat their appeal for a more cautious approach by government on the social impact, but they will all vote against the Opposition’s motion, and in favour of government.
The vote will follow a debate in Parliament that resumes after an 18-day break for the casual election for the seat vacated by European Commissioner John Dalli, which gave Gonzi a breather and enough time to consolidate a disgruntled backbench. New backbencher Peter Micallef will be taking his oath of office tomorrow.
The vote – considered “crucial” by the Opposition – also comes a day after this evening’s protest march in Valletta, called by the General Workers Union and the Malta Union of Teachers and nine other trade unions, to urge MPs to vote against the revised tariffs.
While Labour leader Joseph Muscat has confirmed his attendance at the march, GWU secretary-general Tony Zarb is appealing to MPs from both sides of the house to participate.
After enduring two months of growing unhappiness in his backbench, Gonzi managed to confirm his MPs’ support at the end of last Thursday’s parliamentary group meeting, held after Floriana MP Jean-Pierre Farrugia threatened not to vote for any proposed reform in primary healthcare.
In comments to MaltaToday after sending an email to Gonzi in the wake of a cabinet reshuffle, Jean-Pierre Farrugia indicated that Lawrence Gonzi may be “challenged” unless he immediately restored “a social conscience” to the government’s agenda.
This outburst triggered a sudden change in attitude from Castille, with the Prime Minister immediately summoning Jean-Pierre Farrugia on Sunday afternoon for talks.
That meeting led to Gonzi telling Farrugia that he was instructing Joe Cassar to slow down on the primary healthcare reform, after Farrugia claimed the newly appointed health minister had “taken on board the general practitioners’ lobby”.
Still under heavy pressure from a rebellion that was mounting on his backbench after the reshuffle, Gonzi embarked on an ambitious plan of action to address his internal crisis that was now threatening his political survival.
He suspended his agenda and summoned his MPs for one-to-one meetings, in a bid to give them space to vent their anger and frustrations. The move proved successful for Gonzi, who regained credibility with his backbenchers and paved the way for an open and frank discussion on Tuesday’s parliamentary group meeting during which all MPs emerged “satisfied” at the outcome.
MPs noted that Gonzi was “focused on consolidating team spirit” within his parliamentary group, and was dumping the general perception of “exclusionism” within his administration.
Gonzi also asked MPs to respect confidentiality of internal debate, while apologising for any “shortcomings” he may have committed with them, a move that was noted with much satisfaction.
“We cannot afford to give our adversaries the advantage of being pleased at our problems and to lead the people to feel that their elected government is falling to pieces,” Gonzi told MPs on Tuesday.
The open debate continued on Thursday with more MPs speaking up on the need for ministers to assist MPs in replying their parliamentary questions and help them address constituents’ concerns.
MPs also asked the Prime Minister to be “more sensitive” to the burdens faced by families, pensioners and self-employed. While Gonzi reportedly stressed that government cannot go back on the announced tariffs that have come into effect as of January 1, he promised to personally see to the adjustment of assistance to low income groups.
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