If you’ve been out of the country for the past few weeks you may be forgiven for wondering why everyone is in election mode. Here are the highlights of the saga that has gripped the nation.
November 4, 2011
Nationalist MP Franco Debono abstains on an Opposition motion of no confidence in Transport Minister Austin Gatt for his handling of public transport reform. Dr Gatt survives on the strength of the Speaker’s casting vote.
Novermber 8
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi sets up a task force on the new bus system. In the evening, the government wins a vote of confidence in Parliament with Dr Debono voting in favour.
December 21
Dr Debono warns Dr Gonzi he will withdraw parliamentary support unless the promise to split the justice and home affairs portfolios by year’s end is fulfilled.
January 6, 2012
Dr Gonzi reshuffles the Cabinet, promoting three former parliamentary secretaries. He splits the justice and home affairs portfolios and withdraws the pay rise ministers were awarded in 2008. Unappeased, Dr Debono calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation and insists he will vote against the government if a vote of no confidence were presented in Parliament.
January 7
Dr Debono tells a press conference he will serve under anyone but Dr Gonzi, spending an hour and a half outlining the Prime Minister’s failings.
January 8
PN supporters show their support for the Prime Minister during a political rally in Marsaxlokk, a village in Dr Debono’s constituency.
January 10
The PN parliamentary group vows loyalty to Dr Gonzi and says Dr Debono’s only honourable way out is to resign.
January 11
The PN executive expresses confidence in Dr Gonzi and announces it will convene a meeting of its national council to discuss the political crisis by January 29. Dr Gonzi says Dr Debono should resign.
January 12
A stormy meeting of the House Business Committee fails to agree on a way forward as government and opposition MPs expect each other to declare whether they would table a confidence motion. The government says the Prime Minister will be on government business in Tunisia and Qatar between Monday and Thursday, a declaration which drew an immediate rebuke from Labour.
January 13
The Opposition tables a motion of no confidence in the government. The Prime Minister cancels his trip and the PN accuses Labour of being in a rush to seize power.
January 18
After much bickering within the House Business Committee, the government and Opposition agree on a debate timeframe.
January 26
Dr Debono abstains, with the government’s one-seat majority left in peril.