Update 2 - Parliament dissolved - PL in midnight launch

Updated 9.55 a.m. - adds details on Parliament's dissolution, campaigns President George Abela has dissolved Parliament and directed the Electoral Commission to hold the general election on March 9. Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister had a short meeting with Dr Abela during which he formally asked him to dissolve Parliament. Dr Gonzi said afterwards that he expected a 'mature' electoral campaign but this, he said, would not be a walk in the park as the people would be asked to make a major decision about which political party, which political philosophy, would lead them for the next five years. He expressed gratitude that the country had shown maturity in respecting a political truce during Christmas. The dissolution of the House marks the official start of the electoral campaigns of the political parties. The Labour Party was quickly off the blocks kicking off its electoral campaign at midnight by announcing its campaign theme: Malta tagħna lkoll. (Malta for all) Leader Joseph Muscat unveiled Labour’s first electoral billboard outside the party’s headquarters, saying that unity would underpin the PL’s campaign. The message builds on recent statements made by Dr Muscat...