Nationalist MPs will today attend their party’s general council still digesting the extraordinary political developments of recent weeks.

By abstaining on the Opposition’s motion of no confidence, MP Franco Debono presented the government with a lifeline, but left his colleagues wondering how long it will last.

Dr Debono has not yet explained his decision to abstain or whether he would support the government in Parliament throughout the rest of the legislature.

The politics of exclusion have failed- Robert Arrigo

MP Robert Arrigo said Dr Debono’s vote – or lack thereof – sent the message that “the politics of exclusion has failed”.

“Politics is all about inclusion, starting from your base voter,” said Mr Arrigo, who used the no-confidence debate to make a passionate speech detailing his hurt at being left on the backbench.

He added that today’s general council should “approve leader Lawrence Gonzi and get the PN Ferrari going in the right direction”.

Mr Arrigo recently compared the current situation of the government to a car running with a slow puncture.

Franco wanted more limelight- Charlo Bonnici

MP Charlo Bonnici was more cynical about the motives behind Dr Debono’s abstention.

He felt Dr Debono abstained because if he voted with the opposition “his political career would be over”.

“By abstaining, he may still be hoping to push some of his ideas and aspirations by staying in the limelight. Voting yes would have meant switching off this limelight.”

Dr Bonnici was also somewhat cynical about this morning’s general council, saying he was not expecting “anything new” to emerge.

We need to reach out- Mario de Marco

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Mario de Marco said he was not surprised by Dr Debono’s abstention and was always convinced he would not vote with “a Labour motion”.

“Regarding the general council] I believe we need to do a lot of soul searching.

“We need to consolidate and project ourselves for the future. We need to also reach out more effectively.”

Asked whether Dr Debono has a part in the PN’s future, the minister replied: “It all depends on him.”

There was no deal struck with Dr Debono- Francis Zammit Dimech

MP Francis Zammit Dimech said he did not think there was any deal struck with Dr Debono, and his abstention was in line with his public statements.

By abstaining, he outlined his disagreements with the ­government without expressing ­agreement with the opposition’s motion.

“The Prime Minister should now explain the country’s priorities and map the way forward, while expressing willingness to engage more fully than ever all the ­parliamentary group and all those who want to be an active part of the way forward.”

Meanwhile, sources close to Dr Debono told The Sunday Times that his decision was not the result of a deal struck with the government, but a move to put the ball back in the Prime Minister’s court.

He succumbed to pressure- Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando

Meanwhile, MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who recently said an election was the only way forward, attributed Dr Debono’s decision to “pressure”.

“I’m just hazarding a guess, but I can imagine the tension he was going through and the amount of pressure that was exerted on him,” he said, stressing, however, that he was in “total disagreement” with Dr Debono’s methodology.

MP Edwin Vassallo, who also tried to bridge the gap between Dr Debono and the party, praised the rebel’s decision, which he said emerged clearly in his pre-vote explanation.

“Dr Debono is a man who makes his mind known... Franco loves the party, and with a sense of responsibility decided to abstain. That shows he’s a gentleman. He was sincere when he spoke and he was just as sincere and upright when he explained his abstention.”

“He emerged as a real man. He put his conscience first and foremost. The party got into the issue but he saw everything in perspective and took a decision. I think we should not have to go beyond what he said.” Asked if the party would continue working together, he said: “Isn’t it obvious?”

“We are in a relationship... people can have their own ideas and priorities. The important thing is that when it comes to the crunch, there is loyalty.”

His actions would have been disproportionate- Beppe Fenech Adami

Meanwhile, MP Beppe Fenech Adami, who had accused Dr Debono of wanting to become Prime Minister, said Dr Debono might have realised that the consequences of voting with the ­opposition would have been ­“disproportionate” and “too grave” in relation to his “small demands”.

He said the general council would see the Prime Minister “take stock” of the situation and map the way forward for his party and government.

Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea, who appeared to be close to Dr Debono throughout the crisis, said such questions were “the worst form of journalism” because they were only intended at sparking more division in the party.

He said he did not have expertise to pass judgment on his colleagues and did not know what convinced Dr Debono to abstain.

“Dr Debono did not abstain without explaining himself. See what he said.”