Nationalist MP Franco Debono abstained on the opposition’s motion of no confidence yesterday, stopping short of bringing down the government but reiterating his call for reform and resignations.

The motion was defeated by the Speaker’s casting vote, putting the government’s one-seat majority in its most precarious position yet.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told the press the vote “clearly” showed the motion lacked Parliament’s support, quashing Joseph Muscat’s premature ambition to become Prime Minister. But Dr Gonzi admitted business could not proceed as usual and he would have to take “internal” steps to make sure government policy had all the Nationalist Party’s backing.

He did not take questions from journalists.

Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat called for a snap election to end the uncertainty, a sentiment shared by the green party Alternattiva Demokratika.

The government lost its majority and the crisis had not been solved even by the Prime Minister’s own yardstick, Dr Muscat told a press conference.

The vote was held at noon on the fourth day of a debate that started on Monday.

Hundreds filled St George’s Square in anticipation as thousands followed the proceedings online or on the radio. Members of the public packed the Strangers’ Gallery in Parliament to follow the debate.

Although Dr Debono hinted at an abstention, he kept the country guessing on Wednesday when he used his speech to lash out at the government but did not declare his intentions. Before yesterday’s vote, he said he disagreed with the government on major policy areas and the problem could have been avoided if certain people were not so stuck to their seats.

“I never felt so much love for my country. . . I hope this personal sacrifice serves to build a more modern state,” he said, thanking those who supported him. He did not explain why he went back on his original threat to vote against the government and instead chose to abstain.

PN sources said the government could now try to speed up some of Dr Debono’s pet reforms but the problems with the backbencher are unlikely to end because his rift with the Cabinet had deepened.

Although an election in March is probably unlikely, political observers are not ruling out an election as early as May, particularly if Dr Debono demonstrated unwillingness to support the government on other occasions.

The question therefore remains: What will happen next?