Storm clouds loom ahead of Debono speech

A day before a vote that could bring down the government, rebellious Nationalist MP Franco Debono will this evening give a highly anticipated speech during Parliament’s no-confidence debate which the country is following on tenterhooks.

Though Dr Debono has hinted he will abstain in tomorrow’s vote, he is expected to be highly critical of the government in his speech, which follows two relatively uneventful evenings of debate.

Yesterday’s session looked like it would heat up when Dr Debono intervened during question time.

Labour whip Joe Mizzi asked several supplementary questions to Dr Debono’s archrival, Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici, who did not supply the statistics as requested. Dr Debono took Mr Mizzi’s side and questioned Dr Mifsud Bonnici’s information-gathering efficiency. However, the issue did not escalate and the debate on the Opposition’s no-confidence motion proceeded smoothly, with 10 government MPs explaining why they will vote against while levelling strong criticism at the other side for its opportunistic and exploitative move.

The speech by Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo stood out. He sympathised with Dr Debono and spoke of his hurt at being left on the backbench despite having earned so many votes. But he also poked fun at Dr Debono’s constant references to his high grades at school and the fact that the backbencher sends so many SMSs to the Prime Minister.

Pledging his loyalty to the PN, Mr Arrigo thanked the Prime Minister for supporting him throughout “10 months of blackmail”. He did not give further details. Mr Arrigo warned that an abstention by Dr Debono would leave the government with a “slow puncture”.

Dr Debono was given less attention by his fellow MPs yesterday than on Monday. At one point he appeared agitated and was seen yawning conspicuously during the speech of MP Beppe Fenech Adami, who recently accused him of wanting to become Prime Minister.