Biding one’s time

This newspaper last week editorially took a stand that the two main protagonists in the uncertain political situation prevailing, Lawrence Gonzi and Franco Debono, should either come to an agreement, failing which the Prime Minister should call an election. Our preference remains for this line of action. But time is clearly running out and uncertainty risks developing into instability.

Barring however the occasional chatter that negotiations are taking place and Debono's noting the validity of the Prime Minister calling a leadership election, nothing concrete seems to have occurred. There have been no political developments. The decision by the Prime Minister to put his leadership on the line has thrown the gauntlet on Debono. It forces Debono to react beyond simply taking note. To date, there has been no significant reaction.

Accordingly, the result of the Prime Minister's surprise move can only be seen for what it is - an attempt to buy time in the hope that Debono falls into line while simultaneously giving the Nationalist Party breathing space to plan and oil its election campaign strategy.

We have serious doubts how beneficial to Gonzi an uncontested leadership contest can be. There are too many unanswered questions ranging from the wisdom of calling such a race in the first place to not resigning his party leadership post, which per se negates the existence of a vacancy. We also have serious reservations on whether time is really playing in Gonzi's favour.

Debono too needs to state his intentions and stop playing a game, which has long exasperated the electorate. He needs to put up or shut up. He would have been very coherent had he decided to throw his name in the ring and challenge Gonzi rather than just keep everyone guessing on his next moves. He needs to have the courage of his convictions. What will be his stand after the general conference shows full approval in Gonzi? Will he dare ignore such overwhelming approval and carry on abstaining in parliament? Time indeed is running out...  also for Debono, whose days are numbered the minute the election is called. Till then, his enigmatic behaviour risks sending the message that he is in cahoots with Labour. His frequent interventions and participation on One TV proves that his contact with the PN is hardly healthy, it also sends a clear message which is fast driving PN sympathisers away from the backbencher. Time has also put on the backburner any talk on the reforms he was suggesting. Is Debono still interested in these reforms? Is he interested in just keeping the country guessing or is his ultimate aim the overthrow of Gonzi and/or any one of his ministers?

The political crisis will bring about fewer parliamentary sittings, more abstentions from Debono and a weakened government. In such a scenario, can government limp along? We have our reservations. Accordingly, in the absence of the clearing of the political crisis, which can only be done by a clear re-establishment of government's majority in parliament, it is in the national interest that an election is called.

25 February may reaffirm Gonzi at the helm of his party but the leadership contest will in no way solve the predicament which the government is facing in parliament. Time will tell whether Debono simply takes note of the result or abides by the decision of the highest organ in the party and as a result, falls into line.

At this stage, Debono must stop playing cat and mouse. He must decide and make his intentions known.

If his support in parliament cannot be guaranteed, the Prime Minister should call an election.

In such a parliamentary scenario, all other reasons for not calling an election do not hold water. The economic crisis in Europe will be with us with or without an election and the completion of the 40 infrastructural projects may carry on, whatever the result.

The national interest demands that a line is drawn.