Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi this evening said that he was troubled by internal conflict and could feel people’s anger about the Panama company he owns, saying that he is ready to accept any decision the Prime Minister wants to make about his political future. He also that no matter what, come 2018 if he is a minister, or deputy leader or both, he will be, as he was for the 2013 elections, on the frontlines.
Dr Mizzi did not offer his resignation when he addressed the Labour Party general conference for the first time as deputy leader, but made it abundantly clear that he could feel that the pressure was mounting and left the ball in the Prime Minister’s court. It became immediately clear that Dr Mizzi was not going to tender his resignation as he quickly embarked on platitudes for the government, mentioning everything from the introduction of gay marriage to the reduction of utility tarrifs.
Dr Mizzi said that he was honoured to work for the Maltese people. “When I entered into politics, I entered into a project that I believed at a minimum would require ten years to materialise,” he said.
Minister Mizzi has been at the centre of the local side of an international scandal, involving Panamanian firm Mossack Fonseca and a number of companies in the secretive jurisdiction of Panama.
He was named as one of several Politically Exposed Persons who own such a company, and was also highlighted as the sole EU Minister being named.
He also waxed lyrical, saying that because of this government, “The old power station will be turned into a modern site, an efficient transport system will be created, we will have a strong economy enjoyed by everyone, gay marriage already exists, we will improve the rights of the disabled and we will create a better world.”
He said: “The government has done a lot, but there’s more to do and I am sure we will achieve it. In 2012, I was a front-liner of the party. We won the election and now we are implementing our manifesto. In 2013, the Prime Minister asked me to take over the energy sector. We reduced tariffs, stopped the pollution emanating from the Delimara chimney, closed down the Marsa station and brought in millions of euros for the Maltese people”.
He continued: “Dr Muscat then asked me to take over the health sector." He said that he "cut queues in the emergency ward, improved the length of the waiting lists, and slashed the number of medicines that are of stock.”
Dr Mizzi said he is stepping into the able shoes of Dr Abela. “I am angry. After three years in government, working hard, we are in a situation where instead of celebrating our successes, we are stuck speaking about the Panama Papers. There is an internal fight inside me. Part of me says that I did nothing wrong, that I have a right to take care of my family. On the other side, I see the anger outside, anger towards the party. It could be a perception, it could be a reality, but we cannot ignore it and must address the issue”.
“When the Prime Minister saw my declaration of assets, he asked me questions. I told him that there were no accounts and no funds hidden. This was confirmed through the Panama Papers and while there are people around the world with funds, they confirmed my story. It is a family trust in my children’s names. If I was going to do wrong, would I have put my children’s names down on the Trust?”
He said he was convinced the audits will find nothing illegal, and also said that he will stay on whatever decision the Prime Minister takes. He described his mood as "serene and happy".
Earlier, outgoing PL Deputy Leader Dr Toni Abela congratulated his successor Dr Konrad Mizzi. Dr Abela said that he asked Dr Muscat to stop his nomination at the EU Court of Auditors and, from his understanding, it has been withdrawn.
He turned to the PN's loan scheme, and said that while the PL created a scheme where they would give funds to youths, the PN is asking people to give them funds instead. This is the difference between a government that is giving, and an opposition party that is taking.
He criticised PN leader Dr Simon Busuttil's statement about Dr Jason Azzopardi's criminal defamation case, that "if we (PN) lose it, we will appeal it. If we lose the appeal we will go to the EU court"
Saying this on the steps of the court, Dr Abela said, is basically like saying that if the court does not judge in its favour, the PN will turn the issue into a political football match, which is tantamount to putting pressure on the courts.
He said the government is going through a hard time, however said: "The quality of a Prime Minister, as he has already shown, comes through taking hard decisions".
Turning to Dr Busuttil, he said that most of those standing behind him in photos had been there during the worst times of the PN.
He said that the 2008 and 2013 PN electoral manifestos were written by Simon Busuttil, and they led to the PN's downturn.
He mentioned David Agius. "In 2010 he went to the Commissioner of Police with a recording on me, and was told to leave as 'Toni Abela' is honest". He also poked fun at Tonio Fenech.
He continued: "My hope is that one day, we get rid of those who are dishonest. There are those in the PN who are honest. This moment we are passing through is not easy. We must be strong, and the decisions that need to be taken will be taken, serenely.
"I am convinced that the PL, next election, will win regardless of the problems we are currently going through".
He said "in two years we will be pleased to be present for another Labour win".
At the start of the session, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech and PL Deputy Leader Konrad Mizzi were all met with standing ovations and a "Joseph chant" as they entered the packed hall at the PL Headquarters together.
The conference kicked off when Prime Minister Joseph Muscat entered with Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi by his side.
PL President Daniel Micallef, said that that the PL must remain positive and keep working.
International Secretary Marc Vella Bonnici said that this year, "we were very active in the international scene".
He said that Toni Abela led a group to the PES congress earlier this year. "We saw one of the largest PL delegations go to the Youth Congress in China. The scope was to continue an exchange of ideas with our friends, the Chinese, he said.
He said that the conservatives are attacking the PL, saying "maybe they cannot accept that where they gave up, we managed to find solutions".
He said that Prime Minister Muscat is an optimist with a vision. He spoke about the reduction in energy taxes, free childcare and help for industry "which led Malta to stop facing blinking red lights".
"They called us Alice in Wonderland, and they were right, as we performed wonders in the past three years".
"Let's work more to help the people know of the work we are undertaking".
President of the Councillors Mario Fava thanked Toni Abela for the work he has done, and welcomed Energy Minister Mizzi, at which point the crowd again burst into another standing ovation with a "Konrad" chant. "As he reduced energy tariffs and reduced fuel prices, as he reduced the number of medicines out of stock, he will also reduce the list of those who believe the PL is not listening. "
PL Whip Godfrey Farrugia took to the podium and said that the main goal of government is to keep its promises in the electoral manifesto and implement them.
"Last year, he said that measures regarding environment protection, strengthening local council, services for persons with disability, better treatment for those addicted to drugs, the Mepa demerger and regulations for party financing were implemented".
He said there is continuous work in 9 Parliamentary Committees, aside from work done during the plenary sessions. He said that work on the economy and sustainable environment particularly stuck out last year.
A spokesperson said that PL finances for last year closing 31st December 2015, saw an income of €1,769,000, expenses of €1,321,000.
The consolidated fund, the spokesperson said, stood at € 3.2 million.
PL Executive Secretary Lydia Abela said that optimism and a focus on a strong Malta was the key for the success Malta has seen. "Our success has been noted by international agencies," she said. "Back in 2013, we had a stagnated economy, and today it is growing".
She mentioned a leap in female participation in the workforce. And said that today, Malta has the lowest ever unemployment rate "with it being below 5,000 for the first time in history".
She said Enemalta is back on its feet, "thanks to Konrad Mizzi," resulting in another round of applause.
She said Simon Busuttil hasn't changed, as he still says "that red means unemployment and blue means work, that Dr Muscat didn't know what he was doing. I think he was colour blind, yet people didn't believe him".
"Simon Busuttil is not credible. We have the Head of the Opposition that loves applause of the moment".
"When we introduced the Party Financing Bill, they immediately looked at away around it and introduced the secretive Cedoli scheme".
"While we recognise success we have had, we realise where we have made mistakes and look to the forward and keep working".
One Labour delegate took the stand and said: "Don't give up, we are behind you. If we don't have Dr Mizzi with us, who will benefit? You, the Maltese people, or the PN? Let them (the PN) yell all they want, we will keep Dr Mizzi with us. The PN do not know what is happening, and aside from shooting allegations they aren't doing anything else". The crowd again broke out into applause.
"We are again moving back to the times of Eddie Fenech Adami, where the divide between the PN and PL existed. That time has ended".
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Deborah Schembri said: "that if there is one thing the PN is trying to do, is to try and remove the serenity we currently have. This is the PN's plan, but we will not let them do that. We have a strong government, a strong Prime Minister and strong Deputy Leaders".
"With your help, we will be able to govern not only for the next two years, but for the years following. Our programme is not just for five years. We have investment coming from all angles and we are translating this into jobs. Jobs even for those who were unemployed for long periods of time. I feel that the people did well to vote in this government, and it still has the trust of the people".
"The trust of the Maltese people is behind one man, Prime Minister Muscat. I know we make difficult decisions, and that there are things we can improve on, but there is one big difference between the two parties. When there is someone who makes a mistake, it's never a malicious one".
Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said that around eight years ago, the party took important decisions. "We decided that after many years of disappointment, we took a decision. The decision wasn't only to unite behind one person, but to unite behind ideas. Dr Muscat is a determined politician with ideals. Others speak of transparency, but at the first opportunity introduce a scheme that urges people to give money in a secretive manner," he said referring to the PN's Cedoli scheme.
He said that with Dr Muscat as leader "we moved forward with a new mentality, to work together, and this brought about serenity that is yielding results".
"Dr Busuttil has just said he is not happy with this government. I ask how can you not be happy, we have a record economic growth in just three years. We have another record in work, as Malta's unemployment rate is the lowest in the history of Malta".
He thanked Dr Mizzi for the work he did, reducing energy tariffs and saving Enemalta. "This controversy is not allowing us to speak about the work we have done, and that is my regret".
He appealed to, what he referred to as "the movement" to, "in the coming two years, continue doing the good that the people voted for us, wanted".
Environment Minister Leo Brincat said that under Dr Muscat, "we became the party of aspirations, the party of creating work".
"Those who wish to advance in society know there is only one Party, the Labour Party".
He said that importance of the environment is rising on the list of priorities for the Maltese.
Mentioning Green jobs, he said that a concrete action plan was made and such jobs have been created "unlike the previous administration who only made a study".
He urged teamwork, to continue building the movement into a movement based on inspiration, and not one just based on aspiration. Dr Brincat said that the party must not adopt a siege mentality.
Photos by James Bianchi