Updated | Gonzi admits error on election date changes

Adds Prime Minister's statement at 3:46pm, Opposition leader's reaction at 5:27pm

Opposition leader has belied claims by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi that he wished to have an election in February 2012.

Gonzi said earlier today that Muscat had wanted the general election to be held before 9 March, but that he disagreed because it made more sense to link the general election with the local council elections also due for March.

Gonzi claimed that according to law, the local council elections could be moved back to a later date, but not brought forward.

In a reaction, Muscat said Gonzi had every opportunity to hold the election prior to 9 March.

"He has admitted as such... since the prime minister declared that the only reason to hold the election on 9 March was because the law does not allow him to hold local councils election before, and this now no longer holds, then the Prime Minister could easily move the election date earlier since the writ has not yet been issued.

"This is another blow to the Prime Minister's credibility, after having lied on Smart City, the Brazilian firm, minimum wage, and the civil service workers."

Earlier today, Muscat belied Gonzi's claims, saying the law did not put such restrictions on the council elections. "The date set for the elections is the prime minster's prerogative, and his date is no problem for us."

Quoting the Local Council Act, Muscat explained that if local elections are due to be held within four months of a general election, this may be postponed or brought forward to a date determined by the responsible minister, not later or earlier than four months from the general election.

Accusing Gonzi of having undermined his own credibility, Muscat said the Prime Minister's decision to hold the election in March was "detrimental" to the country because it prolonged uncertainty and instability.

Although the Prime Minister has already announced the election date, the President has not yet issued the election writ. Muscat noted that since the Prime Minister gave a false excuse for holding the election in March, he was now calling his bluff.

Muscat charged Gonzi of having lied and a bullish Labour leader warned that his party will not let such lies go unnoticed. "The Prime Minister should either give a proper explanation or hold the general election earlier, and he should not insult the people's intelligence."

Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, the Prime Minister conceded that the Local Council elections could be brought forward or postponed, however insisted that 9 March was chosen as election day in the country's best interest.

"The Prime Minister clarifies what he said earlier, the local council law allows the elction to be brought forward or postponed. The general and local elections could have been held at a later date then 9 March," the statement read. 

Gonzi added that the date was chosen to coincide with the local election which he said costs €1.8 million and not €1 million as he had claimed earlier on.

Earlier this week Gonzi claimed he had asked the President to dissolve the House on 7 January because an earlier date would have kick-started the vote collection exercise during the Christmas season, and that he wanted to avoid this. By postponing the writ by a month, the two-month campaign culminates in a 9 March elections.

Critics claim the House can be dissolved earlier, without an electoral campaign writ being issued immediately.

"If he wants an excuse to delay the election... he should not lie," Muscat said.

The President of the Republic has confirmed that the parliament will be dissolved on 7 January 2013.