The Labour Party's administration is insisting that its election preparations have not been derailed despite Alfred Sant undergoing major surgery last Thursday.
Dr Sant's operation to remove a tumour in his colon has prompted concern that he might not be fit for the strenuous electoral campaign but Labour officials who spoke to The Sunday Times are convinced that he will be the man steering the party to victory in 2008.
Many party officials are expecting Dr Sant to return to his Ħamrun office provided he recovers and there are no complications in the coming days.
While pointing out his amazement at the outpouring of messages of solidarity, MLP general secretary Jason Micallef said Dr Sant was recovering faster than expected.
"First and foremost, our thoughts are with Dr Sant, and I'm sure he will be back for the electoral campaign," he said, when contacted.
He strongly dismissed rumours that certain factions within the MLP were already looking for a new leader.
"Absolutely not. That's a blatant lie. I categorically deny that I saw anything out of the norm in the party or that I heard anything strange. It's not true. We're very united behind our leader. We've been together since he (Dr Sant) broke the news to us. He told us that the show must go on and that's what we're doing."
Mr Micallef said he was optimistic that Dr Sant will lead Labour through the election campaign, even if the five-week campaign normally requires extraordinary energy levels.
While reluctant to comment or speculate about the state of Dr Sant's health, Mr Micallef said: "From the medical bulletins we've seen and judging by what we've heard, I'm sure he will be back very strongly during the election campaign."
Under the terms of the Constitution, the election may be held as late as August, though in reality it is likely to be held in the first quarter of this year, possibly even as early as February.
Though Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is bound to take into consideration Dr Sant's condition, he must also weigh up whether delaying the election may cause economic uncertainty.
However, Mr Micallef insists that the MLP is prepared for a February election: "Even in these circumstances... this is a very strong and organised party and we're prepared to go for it, even if it's held then (in February). Judging by the medical bulletins we're receiving I'm hopeful that Dr Sant will be doing very well during the election campaign."
Away from Mater Dei, sources close to the MLP say that in the past few days there has been an attempt to push deputy leader Charles Mangion for the top post. But when contacted last night, Dr Mangion denied the claims and said that nobody had approached him to take over the leadership of the party. In any case, the Labour Party's statute clearly lays down that a formal procedure must be followed before a new leader can be installed.
When asked if Dr Sant would be capable of handling an election campaign, Dr Mangion said:
"Judging by the medical updates he is recovering very well and there are no changes in our plans. The way he's recovering he will definitely come back... There has been no derailment. We discussed everything before he was admitted to hospital. Whenever the Prime Minister calls the election, we are prepared to go for it."
Even if it's held in February?
"We are ready to go for it," he said.
Party officials who spoke to The Sunday Times said that the majority of delegates were in agreement that Dr Sant should be the man to lead the party to the election.
"It's very unlikely that a leadership election will take place before the election. It would be suicidal for the party to do that. Even if he is not able to be there for the entire campaign, Dr Sant will still be present in one way or another," one MLP member said.
He added that it was likely that Dr Sant's first public appearance and speech would take place at the MLP general conference at the end of January, provided he is in good health.
"He is very focused politically and his main concern is the party. There will be a clear commitment that only he is leading the party. However, if he needs chemotherapy then the situation will change - and he will need a longer period of recovery." MLP deputy leader Michael Falzon said: "I express my full support, respect and solidarity with Alfred Sant. He is still the party leader and I expect him to come back. He has my full backing. And I say that in all honesty."
MEP Joseph Muscat said the party was pleased with the outcome of the surgery. "We are waiting for further updates and there is no doubt that Dr Sant is the leader of the party - we have to monitor the situation day by day and we should be overwhelmed by the bipartisan show of solidarity we've received over the past few days. It shows that people can rise above politics in these situations."
Asked what will happen in the worst case scenario where Dr Sant would have to let go of the leadership, Mr Muscat said: "There is no issue of Dr Sant not remaining leader of the party. It's as simple that."
The Office of the Prime Minister would not be drawn into commenting about the implications of Dr Sant's condition on the impending election. The Sunday Times asked the OPM what bearing Dr Sant's operation has on Lawrence Gonzi's decision to call the election. The Prime Minister was also asked whether he had any intention of calling an election in the next few weeks and if Dr Sant's medical condition automatically ruled out an early election.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister was asked what he would do if the Labour Party requested the postponement of the election, pending Dr Sant's recovery.
The answer from the OPM was curt: "The Prime Minister has nothing to add except that he wishes Dr Sant a complete and speedy recovery."