Muscat signals Labour’s readiness for election

Labour leader Joseph Muscat said Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi will not be able to postpone a decision over the stability of his government, and that his party is ready for an election campaign.

Addressing the media at a social event for the New Year, Muscat said Labour was not banging its electoral drum or being populist.

"We are choosing a difficult road to see what is really important for the country. In our mind, we want stability, and all decisions we are taking are informed by our desire for stability."

Gonzi has criticised Muscat for "exploiting" the loss of his one-seat majority after backbencher Franco Debono withdrew his support for the prime minister, calling for his resignation and new elections, shortly after a Cabinet reshuffle. Gonzi has said Debono was expecting to be made minister of justice.

Gonzi is also saying that not every Opposition would take advantage of the problem given the turbulent economic times the country is set to face. "I can accept political games, but these should take a backseat to the national interest."

"The people wants to know where it stands with this government," Muscat said today.

The Labour leader, who has asked the Speaker of the House to convene parliament urgently next week to determine whether the government still enjoys a parliamentary majority, also said his party "would be taking decisions that might not be popular and raise discussion and criticism."

There is no clear statement yet on whether Labour could eventually move for a motion of no confidence in the government.

"An economically challenging year for Malta and the EU doesn't mean our country can waste time on this matter," he said referring to Lawrence Gonzi's insistence that his focus on the coming economic challenges has been imperiled by Franco Debono's rebellion.

"We want to remove uncertainty... Labour had a timetable for the elections but if these are anticipated our plans will change."