Outspoken MP Marlene Farrugia today resigned from the Labour Party and from her role as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Environment Committee. She resigned during a parliamentary debate on the demerger of MEPA to create two separate entities for planning and the environment and voted in favour of the PN on two amendments which demanded scrutiny by the opposition of prospective chairmen who were being considered for appointments to regulatory bodies. She will stay on as an independent MP.
Speaking to the media after her resignation outside parliament, she said: "I wanted to see more transparency, especially in the environment sector, MP Marlene Farrugia said when asked why she resigned.
“I didn’t want us to take the road of the previous government. Let’s be transparent and let’s put people’s minds at ease," she said
"Today parliament had the chance to make the jump for better governance, where this law (regarding the Environment Authority’s board) would have allowed the board to be elected by environment non-governmental organisations, and not make it a government decision. It would have been a huge step forward for transparency”.
Asked whether she will remain on as an independent, she said; “I have said it before, if I reach the extreme and have to vote against my party, I would resign. Today however its different. I believe I represent the understanding of many people who voted for the Labour movement. And there is a difference between the labour movement and the labour party. Those who voted expected transparency and good governance. I believe I must remain serving in Parliament to represent those people”.
PM says there is no acrimony
In comments to The Malta Independent, the Prime Minister said: “There is no acrimony between Dr Farrugia and I, we are both free thinkers and I wish her all the best for her future.” Asked whether he felt any damage had been done to his party, he replied: “There is always some fallout in such situations, but it was the formulisation of a state of fact that has existed for quite a while.”
PN says cracks are starting to show
In a statement, the Nationalist Party said that the resignation of Marlene Farrugia showed that Joseph Muscat’s Movement was showing cracks. The PN said that Dr Farrugia left the party because she realised that Muscat’s Movement was built on deceit. The PN said that today, the Government had gone against what it promised in its electoral manifesto, specifically on page 154, where it said that the government will “hold hearings for people who are nominated to lead regulatory authorities.”
Referring to the MEPA demerger discussion in parliament, the PN said that the government voted against an amendment to the Environment Authority legislation which was put forward by the opposition where it asked for prospective Chairmen to be scrutinized by the opposition. This amendment, said the PN, was supported by MP Marlene Farrugia who voted in its favour and against the government. The PN said that the more time passed, the more people are beginning to see through Joseph Muscat.
PL wishes Dr Farrugia well
In a statement, the Labour Party said Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had accepted Marlene Farrugia’s resignation from the parliamentary group and from the Labour Party.
Dr Muscat thanked Dr Farrugia for her efforts and augured her well for the future.
It is the third resignation of MPs this legislature. Giovanna Debono resigned from the PN in the wake of allegations against her husband while Joe Cassar resigned from Parliament after he admitted to accepting gifts. Dr Farrugia has been a vocal critic of the government she forms part of, especially on environmental matters.