One can only imagine the moves at play behind the scenes within the Labour Party at the moment, as many of its top posts are up for grabs.

It will have to fill not one, but two deputy leadership posts. Internally, the party is clearly facing problems, and issues are being played out more openly than seen in the past. The question is, will Prime Minister Robert Abela, the leader of the Labour Party, be able to unify the party internally?

Jason Micallef’s bid for deputy leader was short-lived, but was an idea Abela was not pleased about. Micallef is seen as a staunch supporter of Joseph Muscat. He was front and centre when Muscat supporters appeared outside court to cheer for him when he had his first court sitting over the hospitals deal case. He is also a former Secretary General of the PL.

Micallef backed out of the contest just days after announcing he would contest. He did so after a meeting he held with Prime Minister Abela, and a meeting he held with MEP Alex Agius Saliba.

There are clearly moves being made behind the scenes, but what exactly is being done, or the outcome is still not quite clear.

"Together, we had an extensive discussion on the renewal process that needs to take place within the Labour Party, from now until the next general election. Today, I also met with Labour MEP and my old friend, Alex Agius Saliba. Following the outcome of these meetings, I do not feel that I need to continue with my candidacy for the post of PL Deputy Leader for Party Affairs. I am doing this because I am supporting with facts what I have always believed, and I will continue to believe in. For me, the interests of the Labour Party and its people will always and everywhere come first,” Micallef wrote in a Facebook post.

Agius Saliba, meanwhile, wrote a post of his own.  He said he will "fully support the amendment to the Labour Party statute so that the position of Deputy Leader for Party Affairs is open to both Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament as well." He said: "This was a common message I heard from the delegates in recent days, who among others spoke to me to involve myself directly in the Labour Party, as I have always done even in my role as President of the Labour Youth Forum." It is a strong indication that after the PL vote taking today to change the statute, he will contest for the post.

One must point out that Muscat had spoken out for Agius Saliba during the MEP election campaign at an event, and that in June Agius Saliba was reported as saying that criminal proceedings in relation to the Vitals scandal are political persecution against Joseph Muscat and others. So Agius Saliba is seen as being in the Muscat camp, so to speak, just like Micallef is.

It is clear that some form of deal was struck. Jason Micallef was soon after named as the PL’s special delegate for the implementation of the electoral manifesto.

Today the PL will vote on the aforementioned statute changes. But not everyone seems to be happy with the statute change suggestions. Former PL MEP Josianne Cutajar told the Times of Malta that she does not agree with changing the statute in such a way that the person occupying this position can come from the Parliamentary Group or contest the next general election, and that the deputy leader for party affairs should devote their undivided attention to the party. It is reported that she too is considering contesting.

MaltaToday reports that former Labour mayor of Msida, Alex Sciberras is considering contesting and that he said: “For the party to remain the natural home of all it must remain a wide-open party that provides the answers to the challenges of today and tomorrow. This means we need all hands on deck; each giving their all to the task they are entrusted with. Everyone has a part to play and the party is blessed with a wide pool of talent within its ranks.” It reports that he too is not in favour of the statute changes.

The PL that once looked unified, is now looking divided, and there may be a battle on multiple fronts. We have yet to hear anyone speak out about their interest for the post of PL Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs for instance.

Abela faces a reality where he is not seen as strong as he once was. We must wait and see as to whether the statute changes will pass through easily or if there will be division. Will the outcome result in more unification, or a race for deputy leaders that will sow more division?