Three options for Gonzi

This has been quite a week. Here we are wondering what will happen next.

On Wednesday, MaltaToday Midweek reported that Franco Debono would abstain. He did.

He decided to do so after his meeting with the Prime Minister on Sunday. Debono did not want to be blamed for forcing the PM to call an election.

The end result has of course led to a grave political crisis. One may argue that the PM faces no constitutional crisis per se, but surely he has lost his majority and that is the issue.

For four years Gonzi has faced turmoil in his party. JPO, Mugliett, Arrigo, Jean Pierre Farrugia and of course Dalli had openly questioned Gonzi way of doing things. Others were also very vocal.

Franco Debono was taken for granted. Ignored and sidelined, finally the backbencher said enough was enough. His methods have been criticised and questioned. His motives too. But in a parliamentary democracy, these things happen most especially when you only enjoy a one-seat majority. Most especially when you do not know your parliamentary group.

One can blame Franco Debono's unconventional ways and ambition, but one can also argue that Gonzi's internal politics led to this political upheaval.  The Prime Minister cannot argue that he has managed to regain control or stability simply because of Thursday's vote: the feeling out there is surely one of uncertainty. And consumer confidence is low, so low that retail is suffering big time.

In my view there are three alternatives left for the PN.

1.       The first one is a truce and agreement with Franco Debono and the Prime Minister. But it is hardly likely that Debono will fall for any 'indecent proposal'. But there is a remote possibility.

2.       The second option is for Gonzi to plod on, and to ask for allegiance and support from the General Council on Sunday and from the parliamentary group.  With this backing and the careful timing of the money bills after the Easter recess, Gonzi could survive until the end of Spring allowing the party to regroup and face a June election.

3.      The third option is the least likely but also could be a possibility.
And that is a change in PN leadership. A consideration that would allow the PN to carry on until next year and finalise many of the projects and programmes it had planned to finalise by 2013.

Always remember, everything is possible in politics.

Saviour Balzan discusses the options ahead in Today Focus (scroll down on the Home Page)