On the eve of the 2008 election, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had ruled out forming a coalition with Alternattiva Demokratika.

It was one of those key moments in the campaign when Dr Gonzi wanted to ensure any disgruntled voters did not desert his party to vote AD.

“To date, I have heard nothing but criticism against the government from AD and cannot see how I can have an alliance with someone who is talking in exactly the same way as the Malta Labour Party,” Dr Gonzi had said, on the back of a TV advert campaign that depicted then AD chairman Harry Vassallo morphing into former Labour leader Alfred Sant.

Ironically, four years down the line, the Prime Minister has found himself in a coalition of sorts with Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando. The former PN backbencher will now sit as an independent in Parliament. Where he sits still has to be determined but it will make little difference.

Dr Pullicino Orlando has said he will “collaborate” with the government in implementing its electoral programme but “expected” to be consulted on matters not part of the programme.

It is a unique arrangement and one that has no historical precedent. The incident that most resembles it happened after the 1971 election when Labour MP Paul Carachi had asked the Speaker for a seat in the middle of the House to have an independent status.

The Labour government had a one-seat majority but Mr Carachi never resigned from the party and always voted with the government.

Joe Micallef Stafrace, a veteran lawyer and former Labour minister in the 1971 Administration, also had his fair share of controversy at the time. He fell out with then Prime Minister Dom Mintoff and resigned his ministerial post.

However, Dr Micallef Stafrace remained a loyal Labour MP until the end of the legislature and quit politics after that.

“I cannot see how Dr Gonzi can justify his decision to continue governing and not bow his head to the electorate and call an election,” Dr Micallef Stafrace said.

From the business-as-usual attitude, he added, Dr Gonzi was now speaking in terms of a coalition with his former MP.

“This arrangement does not reflect the people’s will as expressed in the last election,” he said, adding that the government’s survival now depended on the whims of one independent MP.

Describing the current arrangement as a coalition is not correct, according to AD spokesman Carmel Cacopardo.

“This is cohabitation not a coalition. There is a mutual agreement to tolerate each other. It is the result of negative action while a coalition is a result of positive action where two parties put forward their proposals, discuss them and agree on a common programme of action,” Mr Cacopardo said.

However, he believes the arrangement could last because Dr Gonzi is “the master of brinkmanship”.

“Patience is one of Dr Gonzi’s virtues but its longevity also depends on other circumstances, such as what Franco Debono will do,” Mr Cacopardo said.

The latest developments have done little to eliminate the political instability despite Dr Gonzi insisting he wanted to take this legislature to its full term.

And businesses were almost resigned to the continuous state of turmoil, according to Tancred Tabone, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.

“Business is fed up of all these political shenanigans. Politics has dominated the front pages for too long. We’ve hurt so much but we have businesses to run, employees to pay and bank loans to honour,” he said, adding that the business community soldiered on notwithstanding what politicians said or did.

People in Valletta tell Kristina Chetcuti what they think of a coalition government

Pierre Galea,48, Xemxija

"It's about time we hold an election. There is a lot of indecision in the country."

Daniela Valentino, 29, Swieqi

“It’s good that people are voicing their opinion. A coalition government can be good for the country.”

Michael Caffari, 42, Marsascala

“It is a precarious situation for the country. I think Jeffrey did well to resign but for me it’s still not consistent that he stayed on as an MP. The situation needs to be solved.”

Godfrey Zarb, 65, Msida

“I completely agree with Jeffrey’s resignation. You have to be loyal to the party but there comes a time when you can’t function in a party like that.”

Natalie Berry, 28, Birżebbuġa

“The political situation is not really affecting my life, to be honest.”

Natasha Agius, 36, Ħamrun

“If an election is not called now, it will soon be called anyway, so might as well not wait. It’s up to (Lawrence) Gonzi, however, he knows best.”