Budget vote: Small crowd gathered at cafe but St George's Square empty

Security has been stepped up in Parliament and the environs of St George's Square ahead of this evening's crucial vote on the Budget. Most of St George's Square in front of the Palace has been cordoned off and is only accessible to MPs. By 7.30pm, a small crowd of people had gathered at a nearby cafe but otherwise, there were no people present. Visitors and accredited journalists are being frisked by soldiers before walking into the Chamber. They are also being requested to produce their press cards and ID cards and being handed special tags. Members of staff of the Office of the Prime Minister were similarly frisked. Earlier today the Labour Party urged its supporters not to go to Valletta but to follow developments through the media. Franco Debono arrived just before 7pm, accompanied by two plain clothes policemen. Once in the Chamber, he was seen talking to the speaker and other MPs. He also laughed and nodded off when the Prime Minister spoke about reforms. timesofmalta.com will be reporting all developments live.