The coming six months will not be shorn of politicking even if there are no elections on the horizon.

The political landscape may look arid without the prospect of a general election in the near future but 2010 has the potential to offer a rollercoaster ride if the end of 2009 is anything to go by.

The rumblings created in December when Nationalist backbencher Franco Debono absented himself from Parliament and chose not to vote on two motions will not be far from Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's mind. However, anyone expecting an election in the next 12 months is likely to be disappointed.

The government will not be in election mood as it grapples with a worldwide recession that continues to threaten jobs and quality of life.

In November, unemployment continued to edge upwards and figures released by the National Statistics Office showed there were almost 1,000 more people registering for work with the Employment and Training Corporation than a year earlier. There are no signs that unemployment will ease soon.

The depth and length of the recession, which according to leading economists could drag on for at least six months, will condition many of the government's decisions.

Dr Gonzi will have much on his plate as unions and constituted bodies drag him into the water and electricity tariffs saga. At the same time he will have to shield criticism over higher tariffs which the Malta Environment and Planning Authority is expected to introduce this year to make up for the withdrawal of government funding.

But steering the country through a recession will not be Dr Gonzi's sole concern.

With Social Policy Minister John Dalli giving up his seat to taking up residence in Brussels as an EU Commissioner, the Prime Minister will have to conduct a reshuffle of sorts.

Whether Dr Gonzi goes for a radical overhaul or a minor patch-up may depend on whether Speaker Louis Galea makes a comeback and contests the casual election for Mr Dalli's vacated seat.

Will Dr Galea give up the prestigious Speaker's post for a place on the backbench or will he contest the casual election only if assured of a seat around the Cabinet table?

The Labour Party's motion on the controversial new power station contract comes up for discussion soon. The Nationalist Party has said it will only discuss the issue after the Auditor General finishes his investigation on the award of the contract.

But away from the corridors of Parliament, internal party politicking will continue. By the end of January, the Labour Party will appoint a new general secretary as a replacement for Jason Micallef who was forced out last year.

In recent days, the favourite candidate, lawyer Edward Zammit Lewis, has changed his mind about taking up this post. However his replacement is still likely to be an acolyte of Dr Muscat, which would avoid a public battle among factions as was the case with the last election for this position in 2008.

The two-year term of PN general secretary Paul Borg Olivier also comes to an end in June. He is widely expected to stand again for the post but could well be contested after presiding over the party's worst defeat in decades in last year's European Parliament elections.

Labour's biggest test could also come in June, when the lease of the party club in Siġġiewi ends. The government has said it will not renew the lease and instead pass on the property to the local council to be used as a day care centre for the elderly.

How the party reacts to the development will be a test of political maturity, given its dark past with property requisitions when in government.

With Dr Muscat's "earthquake" promise taking the form of a slow evolution and concentrating primarily on internal structural and management reforms, more will be expected from him this year on the content side of things.

The party did come forward with alternatives on policy put forward by the government but has been reticent when it comes to forging ahead with new ideas that could give Labour a clear identity.

With champagne glasses put away and the festive season's goodwill slowly losing out to reality, the political game starts again today as focus shifts to Parliament, which re-opens for business after the Christmas break.

A snapshot of Parliament's work

• Mepa reform is possibly the most important law Parliament will undertake this year. The draft law is expected to see light of day in the next couple of days and will be the subject of much debate, especially outside Parliament.

• The new parliamentary committee to discuss a draft law on assisted procreation is also expected to come up with its recommendations in three months' time after which the government will have to decide whether to present legislation on the highly sensitive issue, which could see the House divided on personal outlooks rather than party lines.

• Parliament will also conclude its debate on amendments to the Broadcasting Law intended to bring it in line with EU legislation.

• A minor but important amendment to the adoption law will shortly be presented in Parliament eliminating the minimum number of years a couple must be married before being eligible for adoption.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com