Franco Debono reacted to a Times debate today and said that the current political crisis will only be solved when the oligarchy within the government goes.
The Times debate, held at the InterContinental, asked the question - Is the political crisis over?.
Asked for his comments by timesofmalta.com, Dr Debono said: "The crisis was created by the establishment of the oligarchy. I had made it clear that I would support the prime minister, as I had always done, but not one who was held hostage by a clique. This statement was made before the reshuffle, I stress, before the reshuffle, or whatever it was."
Last November during the PN general council Dr Debono had already hinted at this theme by saying that a political party could expand to a political movement or restrict itself to a clique.
"The crisis will only be over when the oligarchy is dismantled, the elitist rule of 'planet clique' comes down to earth and democracy is strengthened. Even certain quarters of the business community have been complaining for some time about this clique mentality."
Dr Debono, a prominent criminal lawyer who has been campaigning for Constitutional reforms, said that after the French revolution one of Napoleon's greatest conquests was not military in nature. It was the establishment of meritocracy where careers were open to talent. It was the call to dismantle privileges enjoyed by the nobility and the oligarchy. Meritocracy was even more important in a small country like Malta, he said. "These are the foundation of our European culture and identity."
Dr Debono, insisted, passionately that Malta needed to commit to urgent constitutional and justice reforms. "We have taken years debating the honoraria lack of teamwork issue, the highly polluting power station extension, the public transport reform fiasco and the disappearance of primary health reform, when we should have dedicated this time to the strengthening of democracy and constitutional reforms." It was wrong decisions and bad implementation which caused instability," he said, and not legitimate calls for matters to be done correctly and in a transparent manner.
Asked about reports that he had not been communication with the prime minister since the no confidence vote, Dr Debono said he would not comment.
Dr Debono said he acknowledged and appreciated recent delcarations by the prime minister.
However he hoped that the PN leadership issue would also focus attention primarily and in great detail on party financing and the state of party finances - an area where he has been calling for major reform. The leadership vote, he pointed out, had come about after the prime minister, following his comments, had admitted that mistakes were made and assumed responsibility. In other countries, he said, party funding laws were one of the ways to prevent the formation of oligarchies. Councillors, he said should also focus on the role and performance of Paul Borg Olivier as General Secretary.
Dr Debono stressed that he is not a rebel but a reformer from the backbench, despite the limited resources available to him.
He pointed out how he has for years been calling for reforms meant to raise the dignity of parliament and improve its efficiency. He had been influential in the creation of the role of parliamentary assistants. He also managed to convince the government to introduce the right to legal assistance for arrested persons.
Dr Debono was also been behind the setting up of the parliamentary law consolidation committee, which he chairs. The committee is discussing fundamental justice reforms. He also pointed out that he managed to put the environment and infrastructural deficit of the south on the national agenda. He also managed to convince the prime minister to split the justice and home affairs portfolios, something which would become entrenched in the Maltese system. He also drafted a Bill on political party funding and presented it as a private member's motion - along with a 22 point motion on justice reforms.
PM REACTS TO DEBONO'S COMMENTS
In a reaction to Dr Debono's comments, Dr Gonzi said the fact that he had put his leadership to the scrutiny of the PN councillors was the strongest reaction he could give to the current reality and Dr Debono had acknowledged this. He hoped that they would be able to reach agreement and he hoped all those who held democratic rules at heart would move in this direction.
Dr Gonzi said he had not had personal contacts with Dr Debono but there had been contacts through another person and he was always optimistic that problems could be resolved. He said he always heeded criticism since one could learn from it.
Asked if there should be resignations, Dr Gonzi said solutions should be in the national interest.