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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 1 MAY 2016 3 News MALTA 14.5x18cm ING.pdf 1 19/04/16 16:45 Mizzi 'supports' Cardona, Zammit Lewis undecided CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Konrad Mizzi's resignation has however opened up a new race for the dep- uty leadership post, after Labour pushed through an amendment to remove a prohibition on MPs from holding the party post. Now that Muscat's plan to have Mizzi run uncontested has floun- dered following 'Panamagate', the first moves have started being made by his ambitious ministers. Chris Cardona, the bullish min- ister for the economy, is one such prospective candidate. In 2008, he unsuccessfully contested the post of deputy leader for parliamen- tary affairs, and this year he will be marking his 20th year in par- liament. "I've been active in the Labour Party for 25 years and, with my ministerial experience and at my age, I know how both the legisla- tive and executive work. I have a lot to offer," Cardona said. No other Cabinet member or Labour MP has come forward so far – nominations have not offi- cially been opened yet. Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis is also being mentioned as a likely contender, although his name was also touted in February's race. Zammit Lewis did not rule out running for the post and said he would make his decision in the coming days. "It is still too early to speculate. I am currently focussed on the re- cent deal for Air Malta. The pro- cess to elect a deputy leader has not yet begun and I will make the decision in the coming days," he told reporters on Saturday. Zammit Lewis and Cardona contest the general election on the same district. Both ministers have registered positive results in their respective sectors. Cardona told MaltaToday that a contest would be welcomed: "If there is a contest, let's go in for a straight fight and may the best man win." Cardona added that he had al- ready spoken to Konrad Mizzi. "Konrad [Mizzi] has already pledged his full support," the min- ister said. Speaking to MaltaToday on his plans for the party, Cardona ar- gued that Labour's weakest point was visibility. "People need to see that we are the same party. These were not happy times but it's now time to get back on track. We won't be launching ourselves in campaign mode but we need to start telling people what we've been working on. The results achieved by this government came from the La- bour Party in power. We need to transmit this message more." Education minister Evarist Bar- tolo, who said that Konrad Mizzi should have resigned as minister following the Panama Papers reve- lations, will not be running for the deputy leadership. But he said he wanted delegates to choose their deputy leader, alluding that he did not wish to see another one-horse race, and again leaving nothing to the public's imagination, said that the successful candidate should subscribe to Labour's values. Toni Abela's co-option to the House would depend on candi- dates on the ninth district not to throw in their nomination for the casual election for Leo Brincat's seat, which he will vacate after be- ing nominated for the European Court of Auditors. In contrast to Konrad Mizzi, Ab- ela has deep roots in the Labour party, having started his career with Labour's youth organ. He later became Labour party presi- dent in 1986, only to resign from the party within three years after the party refused to rid itself of corrupt elements. Following an eight-year stint with Alternattiva Demokratika, where he campaigned for greater accountability, the introduction of divorce and local government, he returned to the Labour party in 1998 and successfully contested for the deputy leadership in 2008, the year Joseph Muscat became leader. Labour ramps up pressure over de Marco TIM DIACONO LABOUR has reiterated its chal- lenge to Opposition leader Si- mon Busuttil to take a decision over PN deputy leader Mario de Marco, over allegations that he had benefitted from unpaid construction works at his house while he held ministerial office. Parliamentary secretary Debo- rah Schembri said that Busuttil had first lied that de Marco had published invoices for the works, and then later dodged questions from the press. "It is not up to us to tell him what decision to take, but lying to defend de Marco and avoiding the subject entirely isn't an option," she told a press con- ference. "That isn't proper be- haviour from a politician preach- ing honesty; it's simply political hypocrisy." De Marco in March paid €34,000 for construction works carried out at his house in 2011 by Redmap Constructions. This means that he only paid for the ongoing works after Redmap's owner, Pierre Sladden, was named in the Panama Papers as having used offshore firms in the British Virgin Islands. De Marco claims that he had regularly requested an invoice, but that the contractor insisted that the invoice would be issued once the works were complete. Tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis insisted that the works were originally intended as a gift to de Marco, who was then a serving minister. "Busuttil is portraying himself as a paladin of good governance and he now has the chance to walk the talk," Zammit Lewis said. "He published a document on good governance that said that gifts to ministers of over €150 must be declared, but has yet to take action against de Marco. This is a sign of double standards." In a reaction, the Opposition called on Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to publish 'invoices' for his recent family holiday in Dubai, as well as invoices for his Burmarrad property works. "The PL continues to resort to mudslinging in a bid to cover up for the Panama Papers scandal," the PN said. 'Judge Mizzi on results, don't demonise him' The Labour MPs defended Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's decision just days ago to retain Konrad Mizzi as a Cabinet min- ister in charge of "special works", despite his ownership of an off- shore company in Panama. Schembri insisted that that the PM's decision was "fair and pro- portionate", given that Mizzi had broken no law. Zammit Lewis argued that a "whole spectrum of opinion" exists on Muscat's decision and that some people had not want- ed him to take any action against Mizzi. "What is clear is that the Prime Minister took a decision and that he has no problem shifting min- isters around to help the govern- ment deliver," he said. "This is unlike Simon Busuttil, who is all talk and wasn't even capable of forming a united party stance in favour of civil unions." He urged the public not to "demonise" Konrad Mizzi, but rather to judge him on his re- sults. "Mizzi shouldered political responsibility and we must now await the results of the Prime Minister's decision. This legisla- ture has two more years to run, meaning that Mizzi has ample time to deliver." Mario de Marco Chris Cardona (left) and Edward Zammit Lewis