Muscat: The government has imploded and collapsed

Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this evening that as predicted, the government had imploded and collapsed. Lawrence Gonzi had today confirmed how much time had been wasted for the country. What had happened today had been obvious for a long time but Dr Gonzi, instead of solving the problem, continued to cling to the seat of power. The Opposition had warned that this attitude would lead to more serious problems, but the prime minister carried on. He preferred Austin Gatt instead of stability in the country. Dr Gonzi had lost his majority five times in the House. The government was reduced to a coalition and it now collapsed. Dr Gonzi had divided a party and destroyed the government, Dr Muscat said. The country now needed somebody who could unite it, not divide it. In his address in parliament, Dr Gonzi had aimed to divide, but the Opposition would not fall for that tactic, he said. Dr Muscat said that the electoral campaign would start on January 7 as agreed between the parties. Labour would respect that agreement except for a few political activities which would be held until next Sunday. He pointed out that the government was now a caretaker one so it could only carry out the...