The Prime Minister has no intention of making Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici a “sacrificial lamb” ahead of a no-confidence vote in the Home Affairs Minister, despite mounting pressure on him by the Labour opposition and Nationalist backbencher Franco Debono.
If Franco Debono votes with the Labour motion he should face the consequences
Dr Mifsud Bonnici has made it clear he is not willing to give up his job, telling reporters on Friday the Prime Minister had trust in him, as he heads for a potentially embarrassing vote on May 30.
It is the next hurdle for a government which overcame a significant hurdle last Wednesday after winning support for two crucial Budget votes in Parliament.
Dr Debono is expected to back the Labour Party motion, thus maintaining his constant censure of the minister. The Prime Minister had already placated Dr Debono by splitting up the justice and home affairs ministry during a Cabinet reshuffle in January.
PN sources who spoke to The Sunday Times said Dr Debono should face the music if he helps bring down a minister who is now being widely supported by the administration.
“Carm (Mifsud Bonnici) will not be jettisoned just like that. And if Franco (Debono) votes with the Labour motion he should face the consequences,” said a senior party source.
PN officials said there was still no clear strategy on what line of action to take in relation to Dr Debono if he supports Labour’s motion to bring down Dr Mifsud Bonnici.
Asked whether the government was looking for a potential replacement for Dr Mifsud Bonnici if he is forced to resign, the source categorically said: “No.”
A member of the PN’s executive said Dr Debono should establish whether his views on Dr Mifsud Bonnici were shared by anyone from the parliamentary group.
The backbencher has been lampooning his government for months, accusing it of failing to carry out a series of reforms, especially in the justice sector.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici was appointed Leader of the House last January but came under scathing criticism amid accusations that he was delaying a crucial vote and the debate about his no-confidence motion. Dr Debono supported the government on two crucial money Bills last Wednesday in the first parliamentary vote since the backbencher abstained on a vote of no-confidence in the government last January, which sparked uncertainty over the administration’s future.
Still, Dr Debono kept up his criticism, accusing his colleagues of ridiculing Parliament.
PN officials said Labour’s plans to force an early election had been scuppered after Wednesday’s vote. Unless another vote of confidence was called, the Prime Minister may run the entire term until the first half of 2013, though observers believe he may call an election ahead of time, depending on the level of uncertainty that may prevail.
“In the past week there is a better feeling within the PN quarters. On the other hand, Labour has once again peaked too early. But as we know, a week is a long time in politics,” the source said.