The government's failure to muster a majority in two votes in Parliament last night was the strongest indication yet of its instability, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said in a statement last night.

The Speaker had to cast his vote twice during voting on motions for the setting up of Select Committees on the regulation of procreation and the re-codification of laws after there were 32 votes in favour and 32 against. Two ministers were absent because they are abroad on government business while Nationalist MP Franco Debono was out of the parliamentary chamber but returned for subsequent votes in a sitting which continued almost up to midnight.

Dr Muscat said the indications were that what had taken place in Parliament had nothing to do with the business before the House.

He said the government's blushes were saved by the Speaker's casting vote, but this was the strongest confirmation yet of the government's instability.

It was also confirmation that Lawrence Gonzi had lost control over his own party, the parliamentary group and the government, Dr Muscat said.

The people, he said, deserved stability in such delicate political and economic times.

"The Labour Party will continue to work towards this end," he said.

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http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091214/local/government-fails-to-muster-majority-in-parliamentary-vote