Tonio Fenech will not contest election, urges people to vote PN

Former Finance Minister Tonio Fenech has announced his intention not to contest the election with the Nationalist Party, saying he wants to dedicate more time to his family. But he urges the people to vote for the PN.

Writing on his Facebook page, Mr Fenech said that with regret, and against the wishes of the party, he has decided to quit politics.

“It is not an easy decision, as I will remain as a person who sees politics as a noble service. But the time has come for me to do this in a different way, with more balance towards the family,” he writes.

He said he is proud to have served under leaders such as Eddie Fenech Adami and Lawrence Gonzi, and contributed to Malta joining the European Union and the Eurozone.

Mr Fenech, who was elected from two districts in the last election, said he is not withdrawing from politics because he has some divergence with the party.

He said the current government threw back the country to the times when politicians were servile to their constituents and corrupt, similar to the 1970s and 1980s.

“I am proud to have worked in a government that fought corruption, and was not ready to sell its principles and values,” he said.

Mr Fenech said he will not resign from the party, and he still believes that the PN is the best choice foro the coming election.

“I hope the people realise the damage and decadence that this government has brought... and I wish a new government under Simon Busuttil after the 3 June election, and that he will be a leader inspired by those who preceded him,” he said.

A Nationalist government remains the only hope for this country. “While closing the door to Parliament, I am committed to the Nationalist Party,” he said.

Tonio Fenech, who turns 48 today, was elected as a PN local councillor for Birkirkara in 1997, and became mayor a year later. He held the post until April 2013 when he was elected to Parliament and, in 2004, he was appointed parliamentary secretary in the Finance Ministry under Lawrence Gonzi. In March 2008 he was elected from the eighth and 12th districts and appointed Finance, Economy and Investment Minister.