Lawrence Gonzi to visit Gozo today amid rising political tensions

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is expected to be given a rowdy welcome as he attends the 41st 'Ikla tal-Hbieb' at the Calypso Hotel in Marsalforn today - but the PN leader who has put his leadership to the party's vote on 25 February - will address a disillusioned community, and an island that is seemingly rejecting the party.

Franco Debono's abstention and the subsequent political crisis that followed, has triggered a record booked attendance for today's activity, which will be attended by the most staunch supporters in Gozo.

The activity however, is expected to be cosmetic in an island that is witnessing a rush from those chasing favours on the eve of a touted early general election.

The reality for the PN in Gozo is bleak in both the local council and general election scenario. 

Labour has had its local council candidates in place for weeks, if not months, and most of them have already completed their and home visits in their respective localities, but the PN is seemingly struggling like never before to find enough candidates to contest these elections. 

Newly-appointed Justice Minister Chris Said is reported to have been instructed by the party to find and convince candidates in all eight localities.

Said is said to be approaching many new faces - mostly people he knows and who support him - in an apparent bid to put aside the 'old guard' which the party has relied on for years. 

The PN's campaign office in Gozo has been once again entrusted to veteran activist and district manager Euchar Mizzi, a known 'soldier' loyal to transport minister and PN's national campaign manager Austin Gatt.

Mizzi has been brought back into the fold after retiring from politics some years ago, putting aside his successor, the present inexperienced district manager Kevin Sciberras who heads the culture and information department in Gozo.

Besides Mizzi, the PN's organisational inner core in Gozo is composed of Paul Buttigieg (Qala Mayor), Anthony Debono (Gozo minister Giovanna Debono's husband), and Said.

They have been entrusted with the preparation, implementation and execution of PN electoral and political policy in Gozo for local and national elections.

Former members of the PN's inner core in past elections, Noel Formosa (San Lawrenz mayor), Dr Raymond Xerri (Qala deputy mayor) have been set aside due to Formosa's recent arraignment over alleged EU funds fraud, and Xerri, charged for filing a false report, of which he was cleared in 2008.

This article appeared in today's print edition of GozoToday.