Gonzi announces 9 March election date, insists Debono is 'irrelevant'

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that the election will be held on 9 March. He will visit the President of the Republic, George Abela on Tuesday at 10am to advise him to dissolve Parliament on 7 January and issue the writ to hold the election day on 9 March.

Speaking at a press conference at Auberge de Castille, Gonzi said that the decision to dissolve Parliament on 7 January was taken in order to ensure that the festivities are not disrupted and the vote-distribution mechanism does not spring over the Christmas and New Year period.

Apart from being five years and one day from the 2008 election, 9 March, also coincides with Franco Debono's 39th birthday.

Speaking at a press conference in the wake of a budget vote where Franco Debono lived up to his promise and voted against government, Gonzi said that the result of the budget vote was "no surprise" and insisted that "we knew this was going to happen."

The Prime Minister said that cabinet will be meeting tomorrow morning at 9 am to officially register the Government's decision to go before President George Abela to request the dissolution of parliament.

Gonzi added that during a meeting scheduled at 10am with president Abela, he intends to request the dissolution of parliament on 7 January.

He said that the reason for this is to ensure that the Christmas and New Year period remains tranquil and free from political conflict or campaigning, as well as other reasons.

"If we dissolve tonight or tomorrow, the vote-distribution mechanism will spring over the Christmas period. We want it to start once the new year passes to ensue that this period is as calm and tranquil as possible," Gonzi said.

Asked about rebel MP Franco Debono and his role in the government's downfall, Gonzi refused to comment.

"Franco Debono is a closed chapter. The budget and vote are also a closed chapter. I will look forward. I have an electoral challenge that I am determined to win," he said.

"Debono is irrelevant. Case closed," Gonzi would only add when repeatedly pressed by the media about Debono's claims and accusations levelled against Gonzi and his administration over the course of the past year.

Gonzi also insisted that Government would have been irresponsible to not present a budget, and said that the budget means that government can lay forth achievements such as a lower deficit.

He added that a budget that did not build about these achievements would have been irresponsible.

"I shouldered the responsibility of going before the EU, setting forth our results, and using those results to present our proposals for the coming years," Gonzi said.

Gonzi also took the opportunity to hit out at the Labour party for 'appropriating' the budget and criticised the PL for not having any ideas or proposals of its own.

Gonzi also denied that the election vote is somehow "forced" and insisted that the 9 March date is a 'natural' one that marks the spontaneous end of the legislation. He insisted that he had chosen the 9 March because it was the most appropriate for the country, five years and one day after the 2008 general election.

Asked whether he feels that his administration was suffocated or scuppered by the PN's internal instability, Gonzi reiterated that despite this, the Government's results and lauds from international bodies speak for themselves.

He said that other countries were afraid of undertaking necessary reforms in time for fear of political backlash.

"In our case, we chose to make these reforms, and the results stand. And we achieved them despite a consistently negative opposition," he added.

Gonzi also said that throughout the past five years, the PN Government had fulfilled its mandate.

"We did our duty to our country in a turbulent and challenging five years, during which countries bigger and stronger than us floundered in the intense crisis that overwhelmed them."

"I am proud that I led this government through these five years in a way that means that our country is stronger than it was five years ago," Gonzi said, also emphasising the "record performance" that government registered in several sectors.

A visibly emotional Gonzi also thanked his fellow ministers and MPS who "lived through the last five years alongside me," adding that together "we navigated the tempest with caution."

 Gonzi also said that the Government's 2013 Budget represents the Nationalist Party's fiscal and economic vision for the coming election.

He insisted that the PN is determined to implement the measures proposed by the budget as its budget for the first year of its new administration.

He also added that the PN's manifesto will be outlined in the coming days, "and will be announced at the right time," while at the same time insisting "you know where you stand with us."

Asked whether the defeat in the Budget vote means he can finally take a break from all the difficulties he faced in the last five years, Gonzi said: "Not at all. This will bring the best out of me. I have already told my MPs 'Let's go for it.' Now is the time to demonstrate and use our energies."