Malta news: JPO resigns

PM quashes possibility of early election. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi quashed the possibility of an early general election and expressed his determination to complete the five-year term in government, following the announcement yesterday evening that Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando had resigned from the party but not from parliament. In his resignation letter the PN backbencher promised his “conditional support” for the government specifically in those decisions regarding the implementation of its electoral programme. Though this means that government has now lost its one-seat majority, the Prime Minister expressed his confidence that such an arrangement should guarantee a degree of political stability which will permit the government to present next year’s budget in November. On the other hand, the Prime Minister is now bound to consult Dr Pullicino Orlando on other governmental issues. In reaction to Dr Pullicino Orlando’s resignation, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said the country has a hung parliament which effectively can be described as a coalition government. He said that this political instability will create uncertainty and impact negatively on the economy. Dr Muscat urged the Prime Minister to do the honourable thing in the interest of the country, thus suggesting an early general election. Dr Pullicino Orlando announced his decision in a press statement shortly after a 45-minute meeting with Dr Gonzi at the party headquarters in Pietà which started at 6pm. On his departure, the MP refused to speak to the press. The meeting was held following a request by Dr Pullicino Orlando in the wake of Tuesday’s decision by the executive committee to unanimously clear Richard Cachia Caruana of any wrongdoings. The former PN backbencher had requested the expulsion from the party of the former EU ambassador claiming that the latter had among other things colluded with high ranking PL officials during the Labour administration headed by Alfred Sant between 1996 and 1998.(independent.com.mt) This will certe less reassuring for markets, but closer to democracy.