PM cancels Qatar visit after Labour presents no-confidence motion [WATCH]

Updated at 13:40 with Labour's statement 

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has cancelled his official visit to Tunisia and Qatar, after the Labour Party today presented two motions in parliament calling for a vote of no-confidence in the government.

The first motion calls for a motion of no-confidence in government and that this is communicated to the President of Malta.

The second motion calls for the adjournment of the parliamentary sitting for Thursday, 19 January at 9am to discuss the motion of no-confidence, and to finish the sitting by 12pm for a vote to be taken. Labour leader Joseph Muscat has confirmed he will present a motion of no-confidence against the government, on TVAM breakfast show today morning.

The prime minister announced he had cancelled his plans today in a visit to the Medserv oil bunkering facility in Birzebbuga. "The second motion is a 'guillotine' motion... this procedure doesn't give the chance to MPs to talk. It is something we haven't seen since the days of the Labour socialist government, by keeping MPs' mouths shut and not give them a chance to speak... I hope this anti-democratic behaviour will be reversed."

In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said the Opposition's motion would only give both sides of the House 90 minutes each to discuss the motion. "Joseph Muscat and Anglu Farrugia don't want to give the government the opportunity and time to explain the reasons that led to the present situation. Muscat doesn't want his parliamentary colleagues to have the time they need to talk."

In reaction to Gonzi's comments, Labour said the Prime Minister is overlooking the fact that the allotted time proposed to discuss the oppositions motion of no-confidence in government is equal to the time allotted for the discussion on the vote of confidence called by himself in November.

 Labour said "The country cannot be held hostage because of the Prime Minister's willingness to cling on to power."  

"The Prime Minister has done nothing to stop the uncertainty in the country," Muscat said today on breakfast show TVAM, explaining that his decision came as a result of Lawrence Gonzi's decision to go on a four-day tour of Tunisia and Qatar on official business, when instead he should be handling the political crisis.

The Opposition leader reiterated statements made yesterday on Bondiplus that as leader of the party he expected the election to take place every five years. "However I am also taught to be prepared and have a fall-back position if the people call on you to govern," he said.

TVAM presenter Pierre also asked Joseph Muscat whether it was true, as had been said by Lawrence Gonzi, that he was only interested in taking power and become the youngest prime minister in Maltese history.

"The prime minister is wrong. It was Sir Ugo Mifsud and Dom Mintoff who were the youngest prime ministers. I have no aspirations in being the youngest PM but my interest is motivated by the national interest."

Labour's parliamentary group granted full discretionary powers to party leader Joseph Muscat to take all decisions he may deem fit to respond to the developing political crisis, at a parliamentary group meeting held Tuesday night at the PL headquarters.

Lawrence Gonzi's political crisis was precipitated when backbencher Franco Debono withdrew his support from the government, threatening to vote against government in a motion of no-confidence or a forthcoming money bill, which has the same effect as no-confidence motion. The PN's administration and executive has called on Debono to resign his parliamentary seat. The PN is convening its party's general council for Sunday, 29 January.

Earlier yesterday, MPs from both sides of the House met to decide the parliamentary agenda for parliament when it reconvenes on Wednesday, 18 January. The Prime Minister will be abroad on official business between Monday and Thursday next week.

Leader of the House Carm Mifsud Bonnici was adamant that no motion of no-confidence had been presented by the Opposition, and insisted that the House should prioritise the Education and European Union amendment bills, before proceeding to the Budget Measures Implementation Bill.

The minister said that unless a motion is presented, no date could be set for a hypothetical motion.

The Opposition instead demanded that the committee meeting be postponed to next Monday to decide the House agenda.

Labour whip Joe Mizzi and deputy PL leader Anglu Farrugia repeatedly asked Mifsud Bonnici if he recognised the urgency of addressing government's instability, which is threatened by Nationalist MP Franco Debono's decision not to support the government.

"I note the Opposition is rather eager to see this matter settled and take power as soon as it can," Mifsud Bonnici retorted.