A June election has all but been ruled out, unless Nationalist MP Franco Debono votes against the government in the first parliamentary Budget vote of the year.

PM will only call an election if the government loses a vote of confidence, Budget vote

Nationalist officials have strongly rejected claims made by the Labour media that the PN has started mounting a campaign for a June 9 election.

“The Prime Minister will only call an election if the government loses a vote of confidence in Parliament or if any of its MPs shoots down a Budget vote,” a top official told The Sunday Times.

A government has to dissolve Parliament within five weeks of losing a crucial vote but it can then take until three months to actually hold the general election.

Even if Dr Debono votes against the government, this means an early election may still not take place before September.

No votes have been taken in Parliament since January, when through the Speaker’s casting vote the government narrowly defeated a no-confidence motion moved by the opposition after Dr Debono abstained.

The government adjourned Parliament on Wednesday for a four-week Easter recess, a decision described as “scandalous” by the Labour opposition, amid accusations that the administration is doing its utmost to postpone potentially embarrassing votes.

Constitutionally, irrespective of any party in-fighting, the government can continue in office unless it loses its parliamentary majority.

However, officials admitted Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi would also have to take stock of the situation if Dr Debono abstains from voting with the government in the upcoming Budget votes.

Another source said the government would do everything in its power to complete a five-year term – until March 2013.

The Nationalists hope the completion of several capital projects and a well-planned electoral campaign can narrow the gap.

Dr Gonzi recently kicked offa series of meetings aimed at putting the PN back at the heart of society, in an initiative steered by popular MEP and ‘special delegate’ Simon Busuttil.

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