Tomorrow’s parliamentary sitting is a rare occasion.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has called for a vote of confidence in his government, following the abstention by parliamentary assistant Franco Debono on an Opposition motion requesting the resignation of Transport Minister Austin Gatt. The abstention forced the Speaker of the House to use his casting vote last Friday after a marathon 11-hour debate. Dr Michael Frendo, as is the practice, voted with the government to allow for the debate to continue.

It is only the third time in history that the government leader has called on Parliament to give him the mandate to continue governing. It is more frequent that it is the Opposition that makes such a request.

Dr Debono has already declared that he will vote with the government this time, and therefore it is likely that Dr Gonzi will receive the House’s support to continue leading the country. But there is no doubt that the current state of affairs has put undue pressure on him and his government, and this at a time when so much energy is needed elsewhere. Needless to say, the current international economic situation and the difficult period in the eurozone requires a government that is focused on other, more important issues.

Much has already been said and written about Dr Debono’s behaviour. It is the second time that he has cornered the Prime Minister, the government he forms part of, and the political party he represents. Two years ago, he was also at the centre of a similar political move – that time, he was forgiven; what will happen now remains to be seen, as the Prime Minister has not committed himself on what action will be taken.

The Opposition has made a meal out of the situation, pushing the idea that the government is unstable, mostly because the Prime Minister has been unable to maintain control over the MPs on the government side. Any government crisis is good news for the Labour Party, although it is keeping its feet firmly stuck to the ground as it knows that the most likely scenario is that the government wins the vote – if Dr Debono sticks to his word.

The House will tomorrow be holding a special sitting – doing away with the normal parliamentary questions and adjournment to allow for a three-and-a-half-hour discussion on the Prime Minister’s motion, following which a vote is expected at 9.30pm.

It is only then that we will know whether the present term will last its natural five years, or whether it will be time for an early election.