We’re in for a hectic week.

The political instability created by the declarations made by Nationalist backbencher Franco Debono that he will no longer support the government and his party leader Lawrence Gonzi will reach a climax this week.

Parliament is set to reconvene after the Christmas recess on Wednesday, where the situation comes to a head. The House Business Committee meeting that will be held this evening will shed more light on what one is to expect, but one cannot put aside the possibility of a surprise move.

The Opposition has filed a motion of no confidence in the government, and is insisting that it be discussed on Thursday morning. The government has described it as a guillotine motion as it will make it impossible for MPs of both sides of the House to share their views.

In the meantime, Franco Debono continues to stick to his guns, and the molly-coddling by Nationalist MP Edwin Vassallo on Xarabank last Friday seems to have had little effect on the Għaxaq lawyer, judging by his declarations to Sunday newspapers yesterday.

It seems that the country is in for at least another few days of political tension - possibly leading up to more weeks of political tension as an election is called a year ahead of schedule.

At a time when the government needs to concentrate on the economic situation – and this has become clearer following the downgrading of Malta’s credit ratings by Standard & Poor’s last Friday – it has to deal with the shenanigans of an MP who has thrown the country into political chaos following the Cabinet reshuffle announced by the Prime Minister on 6 January.

The instability that has been created needs to be addressed in the short-term. The country cannot afford to remain in this uncertain situation for a long period. It must decide and move on, as otherwise it runs the risk of losing out much more that it may have already lost since the political crisis erupted in November with the votes taken on the public transport reform, followed by a vote of confidence called by Dr Gonzi.

One way or another, a decision must be taken, and it must be taken quickly, in the best interests of the nation.