The government and the opposition have agreed that the motion of confidence in the government will be voted on this Monday after a three-hour debate, informed sources said.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi gave notice of the motion yesterday shortly after an Opposition no-confidence motion in Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici was approved, with Nationalist MP Franco Debono voting with the Opposition.

Dr Debono subsequently said he would not vote against the government when the confidence vote is taken.

The agreement for the debate to be held and concluded on Monday was reached between the government and opposition this morning. Since the motion is being moved by the government, government speakers will open and conclude the debate.

This is the third confidence vote that the government will be facing within a short span of time. The first was moved by the prime minister after Dr Debono abstained in the motion of no confidence against Transport Minister Austin Gatt.

The second was moved by the Opposition last January when the country was brought to the brink of a general election after Dr Debono said he would not support the government. He eventually abstained during the vote after a very long debate.

Just two weeks ago, the government was able to approve the Budget Measures Bill, a money bill and equivalent to a confidence vote.