As the general election was drawing near, the ruling National Party and the opposition Malta Labour Party began a seesaw battle. The MLP launched repeated impeachments against the government and its cabinet ministers, forcing the Gonzi administration into a political crisis. Affected by the European debt crisis, Malta's economic growth slowed down and was facing the risk of a second round of recession. Although its budget deficit has met the target as expected, the condition of public debt warrants no optimism. <<