How long can this go on?

He may have lost a minister but the worst seems to be over for Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, according to a history professor.

Dominic Fenech, head of the University of Malta’s History Department, believes the Prime Minister has managed to win breathing space by avoiding an election before summer.

Prof. Fenech, a former Labour Party general secretary, said Dr Gonzi could have regained some control over when to hold an election.

“Things looked bleak for the government at the beginning of the year when speculation was rife that an election was in the offing as a result of Nation-alist MP Franco Debono’s statements,” Prof. Fenech said.

After losing Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici on Wednesday, when Dr Debono voted with the opposition in a motion calling for the minister’s resignation, Dr Gonzi will, on Monday, ask Parliament to give his government a vote of confidence. Dr Debono has said he would not vote against the government, allowing the Administration to continue with its mandate. But the legal aspects of the controversy are less significant than the political ramifications.

“This is not how a government should be run and the situation is now bordering on the farcical,” Prof. Fenech said.

Monday’s vote will be the third vote of confidence the government will face in less than a year.

In January, it survived a no confidence vote with the Speaker’s casting vote. A similar situation may occur on Monday if Dr Debono abstains.

The political crisis has left people baffled and the former Nationalist Minister Michael Falzon believes the perception on the street is that this is “a weak government held hostage by Franco Debono”.

“It is a very negative perception but the government probably knows that if it holds an election now it will lose it and is trying to prolong its term in the hope of gaining some lost ground,” Mr Falzon said.

The government faces a test of confidence on Monday. Called by the Prime Minister, the vote comes after Nationalist MP Franco Debono forced Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici’s resignation by voting with the opposition on Wednesday. Do the people agree? And should there be an early election? Juan Ameen took to the streets of Valletta to find out.

1. Christopher Buttigieg, 23, from Balzan

He (the Prime Minister) has already presented the motion for Monday but I have my doubts whether he will call an early election. It looks very remote. Franco Debono has already said he will not vote against the government, so we will remain as is. I’m worried but I think that an election, even though I wish for an early one, will take place in its own time as it seems we will continue dragging to the very end, even though it would harm the country.

2. Carmen Bonnici, 70, from Valletta

I agree (with the confidence motion). Of course it will pass. But, well, because of Dr Debono… there might be some difficulty. I don’t see why it won’t go through as we aren’t in a bad state. I don’t agree with an early election because the country is doing well. If the government wants to proceed, then calling an early election will ruin everything.

3. Tony Camilleri, 66, from San Ġwann

He has no option but to file a motion of confidence. There is the chance that he will resign and we will have an early election. That’s what we are waiting for. We can’t under-stand what is happening in Parliament. I think we need an early election as they are taking people for a ride.

4. Grazielle Camilleri, 18, from Żabbar

I agree because, with all the things going on at the moment, I think it’s better that he knows whether he still enjoys the support of the majority in Parliament so he can move on to, if need be, an early election. If the majority vote against the confidence vote, then an early election should be called to see what the people’s opinion is. He will then take it from there.

5. Luana Cuschieri, 17, from Żabbar

I agree with the confidence motion. The Prime Minister needs to see what his position is. If the motion doesn’t pass in Parliament, there should be an early election.

6. Margaret Micallef, 59, from Rabat

I agree with the confidence motion. People need to know what is going on but I think he did it for the good of the country. However, I believe he should remain in government till the very end.

7. Alice Ciappara, 59, from Rabat

I fully agree with the motion. There is a need for it so that we will know what is going on. I don’t agree with an early election. The Prime Minister should remain in power until the end. The country is in a good state.