Parties will launch their campaigns on January 7

The two main parties are expected to officially launch their electoral campaigns on January 7 in the lead-up to a widely touted March 9 general election, The Sunday Times has learnt. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has said he will call on the President to dissolve Parliament if his Government loses the crucial Budget vote tomorrow, and that will most likely take place this week. Nationalist backbencher Franco Debono has repeatedly said he will vote against the Budget unless Transport Minister Austin Gatt resigns from Cabinet. However, sources close to the Nationalist Party said party officials have held talks with Dr Debono during the past days to try to convince him about the importance of voting with his party. “We still expect him to vote against the Budget, but as far as the party is concerned, the door for Franco Debono remains open. The country needs this important Budget to go through,” one senior party source said. “The country needs to start implementing it rather than leaving it hanging in the air. It will ultimately make little difference to the election date.” Party officials dismissed suggestions that the Prime Minister would make an attempt to prolong the uncertainty...