Election early next year, irrespective of vote outcome - Gonzi

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has promised to do his best to immediately implement all the Budget measures he is allowed to implement if the Government loses tomorrow's vote, including the cost-of-living-allowance. If the Budget does not pass, he will tomorrow give a step by step account of what happens next regarding the election, which he promised would be held early next year, irrespective of the outcome of the vote. The other Budget measures which cannot be passed without a positive vote would remain on the table as proposals of the Nationalist Party for the upcoming election, he said, refusing to corroborate the probable March 9 election date mentioned by The Sunday Times today. Speaking during a PN meeting in Zebbug, Dr Gonzi called on the Opposition to do the responsible thing and vote in favour of the Budget which, after all, it had agreed to implement. He also said it would have been "irresponsible" of him not to propose a Budget that was approved by the EU. If this was just about confidence in the Government, the Opposition should just call a confidence vote after the Budget or should just register its lack of confidence by voting to reduce the salaries of each minister.