D-Day Thursday

A week is a very long time in politics. The recent, rapidly-shifting events have rendered even one day to be a very long time.

Next Thursday is destined to be a momentous day in local political history. As the country anxiously waits the final vote, all indications point towards the fact that the present political crisis is likely to develop into a constitutional one.

The responsibility for the inevitable early election being called lies clearly with Franco Debono. His overreaction to being excluded from the recent Cabinet reshuffle magnified a simmering political crisis, which had been brewing from the very first days of this government's mandate. Lawrence Gonzi's government appeared wobbly from day one. Debono's method, irrespective of the praiseworthy reforms he is proposing (some of which are being rapidly taken on by a government, certainly in election mode, despite  the Prime Minister's denial), is an attempt to compel and to put the Prime Minister under the screw. This is unacceptable.

It not only questions an established constitutional prerogative but also is a blatant attempt to blackmail the PM. However the events that were the precursors of the political crisis to come cannot be ignored. A pattern of weak leadership, mismanagement and insensitivity towards the backbench has fuelled a feeling of exclusion and indeed indifference to the very survival of their own government. A string of errors and miscalculations on the part of the prime minister has not only weakened his hand and by consequence weakened his government but has left the impression of a backbench revolt, symbolically in the figure of Franco Debono, which has now come to a head.

The country can ill afford to prolong this political crisis. The election must be called. Further delay will only jam an economy functioning in a difficult European climate weakened by the eurozone crisis. The decision by the leader of the Opposition to table a vote of no-confidence carries political risks. Only time will tell whether it was too hasty, a reaction to grassroot pressures, thirst for power, or a wise and mature political calculation which brought things to a head by forcing Debono to decide his course of action. This Thursday at midday Debono's strategy risks ending in smoke. His efforts to have reforms introduced will have achieved little practical results, barring pushing the country into an uncalled for election, at a time of a Europe in economic crisis.

On Thursday, the options facing Franco Debono are three. He can vote in favour of the motion tabled by the Leader of the Opposition and bring down his own government, he can vote against (highly unlikely) or he can abstain.

Calling in the Speaker to come to the government's rescue for the second time in just two months will hardly enhance government's stability credentials.

Whatever course of action he chooses, the Prime Minister is likely to speedily call on the President. His mind appears set not to allow Debono to carry on inflicting Chinese torture on his government.

With an election looking inevitable, certain good election governance principles need to be adhered to by all protagonists, including political parties, institutions, government, journalists and bloggers. Firstly, national television needs to give a fair platform to all contesting parties. Broadcasting must be run fairly and in a non-partisan manner. Individual programmes should discuss all relevant electoral issues and hosts of programmes should act credibly and fairly, encouraging the flow of information. National television should lead by example.

All personal attacks - especially those that drag private persons into the political arena -must stop immediately. The government should refrain from taking advantage of its power of incumbency by last-minute contracts and arrangements. Once the election is announced there should not be any exceptional granting of MEPA permits. Government ministries or employees should not be used for constituent work.

The country anxiously awaits Thursday's vote. Who knows? The Prime Minister may yet surprise us.