Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1210197
THE situation unfolding within the Nation- alist Party has now reached a clear tipping point. Like Julius Caesar crossing the Ru- bicon, the emergence of a clearly defined rebellion against Adrian Delia signifies that 'the die is cast': the PN is now clearly split into two rival camps, and the battle-lines have been drawn for a confrontation to de- cide the ultimate fate of the party. In a sense, this marks an improvement over the preceding situation: where the pre- cise division lines were far from clear. All the same, however, the situation still repre- sents a stalemate. Neither side has yet made its first proper move on the chess-board… and both sides still need to present a credi- ble way forward. For the so-called 'Blue Heroes' – the 17-or-so rebel MPs identified by Jason Az- zopardi in a Facebook post - this is the first time they have come out in public against Delia: although indications began last week with a letter – also published on Facebook - denouncing Delia's actions following the most recent parliamentary group meeting. The names of the 17 Blue Heroes did not come as a surprise: they clearly constitute the same core group – or 'establishment', as some prefer to call them – that had en- sconced itself within the PN's corridors of power over the past 25 or so years (to the extent that most point towards their 'long years of service' to the party as proof of their legitimacy.) The Delia camp, on the other hand, com- prises a rival faction that successively chal- lenged this very establishment for the lead- ership of the PN in 2017. As such, the public split does not resolve the ultimate question of who the PN legiti- mately 'belongs' to… even though the Blue Heroes have now staked their claim in no uncertain terms, by demanding Adrian De- lia's resignation. Delia, too, seems to have drawn his own line in the sand. On Sunday at Mellieha he challenged the rebels to toe the line or leave, while praising those who have stood by him over the past two years. Significantly, these also include party veterans such as Robert Arrigo and Carm Mifsud Bonnici: suggesting that Delia also enjoys a level of support from the old guard. But neither side has indicated what it in- tends to do next. Delia has promised an 'ut- ter revolution' to get rid of dissenters, but has not indicated what shape this revolu- tion will take. Meanwhile, the Blue Heroes have not giv- en any sign of their intentions, either. Will they take action to have Delia removed as Opposition leader, through a vote of con- fidence in the parliamentary group? Or will they wait to see who will replace Kristy Debono, Clyde Puli and Robert Arrigo, fol- lowing their resignations last week? Moreover there is uncertainty concern- ing the extent of the so-called 'rebellion'. One Nationalist MP, Stephen Spiteri, has since distanced himself from Azzopardi's Facebook update… and others may yet feel pressured to do likewise. Doubts therefore remain about whether the 'Blue Heroes' can muster the necessary majority to dele- gitimise Adrian Delia as Opposition leader. Nonetheless, Delia's position has undeni- ably been dealt a crushing – possibly fatal – blow. At this juncture, his ability to ever reunite the Nationalist Opposition – still less, to work towards a national majority at the polls - seems not merely remote, but ab- solutely impossible. Matters are further complicated by the fact that the rebellion openly pits the PN Parliamentary group against the express wishes of the party's internal structures. This fight is developing into an establish- ment vs party members divide; and if both sides continue trying to humiliate the oth- er, the Nationalist Party will only scuttle its chances of reunification even at electoral level. The risks of a prolonged war of attrition within the ranks of the party could be very damaging, if not fatal. And as party grass- roots move to take sides in this face-off, outsiders sit back amused, watching the spectacle of an imploding PN. Unfortunately, however, it is not just the PN that will implode, but also any hope of a viable Opposition in the near future. It is for this reason, too, that both sides have to set out clear and concise strategies, to some- how extricate the PN from the mess it is in. The die is cast… Mikiel Galea 9 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday MaltaToday, MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 MANAGING EDITOR: SAVIOUR BALZAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR: MATTHEW VELLA EDITOR: PAUL COCKS Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 FEBRUARY 2020