MP Franco Debono’s abstention on Thursday has given the Nationalist Party some breathing space, allowing it to use the March local council elections as a platform for a future general election campaign, whenever it may come, according to PN sources.
The possibility of Dr Debono forcing the party’s hand into calling a snap election is not being dismissed, especially should he fail to support the government on an important money Bill pending before Parliament. But a “wait and see” approach is likely to be adopted regarding future parliamentary votes, the sources said.
The party had, over the past weeks, rallied helpers and support staff, especially because of the uncertainty which surrounded what was going to happen in Parliament.
The PN’s electoral machine seemed to have gained momentum and its Pietà headquarters was a hive of activity. Equipment was seen arriving and designers were coming up with a basic design for the campaign.
The situation changed somewhat on Thursday when Dr Debono abstained on the Opposition’s motion and it was defeated by the Speaker’s casting vote, cheering supporters and giving the party some more time to get its house in order.
Calling an election before Monday or Tuesday, when the local council election writ is due to be published, was now “pretty remote”, the sources said.
Minutes after surviving the vote, Dr Gonzi admitted business could not proceed as usual and he would have to take “internal” steps to ensure government policy had the whole party’s backing.
The PN’s next major appointment is tomorrow when it convenes its extraordinary general council.
It was called following a decision by the party’s executive meeting held earlier this month to discuss Dr Debono’s declarations calling for the Prime Minister’s resignation.
A general council usually discusses something concrete such as a motion but this time there will be nothing specific. The focus of the debate will be the crisis the government has had to face over the past few weeks.
“Sunday’s general council is not expected to be much of an event except to rally support for party leader Lawrence Gonzi,” one source said.
Dr Gonzi, he added, was also expected to draw a possible roadmap of what was going to happen from now onwards.
“What Franco (Debono) did shook the establishment, and the general atmosphere within the party has changed. The general council will give the Prime Minister the opportunity to map out the way forward.
He will be showing that the situation has changed,” the sources said.
They said he would most probably deliver a “wait-and-see” message about parliamentary proceedings. The tentative plan is for the party to continue working on its electoral manifesto, which is an ongoing process and the basis for which has already been discussed in the PN document titled Our Roots.
Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat has called for a snap election to end the uncertainty, a sentiment shared by Alternattiva Demokratika.
The sources said that despite the reprieve, no one within the party was ruling out the possibility of an early election.