Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this evening that Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's resignation from the PN meant that Malta now had a hung parliament

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Muscat said the people did not vote for a coalition government but a PN government, and this government finished today.

Therefore the prime minister should assume his responsibility and take the decision he should have taken a long time ago, by calling a general election.

Power should not come before duty, Dr Muscat said.

He noted that he had repeatedly warned that unless the prime minister went to the country, the situation would deteriorate, and that was what was happening.

Asked whether he would move a confidence vote, Dr Muscat said the ball was in Dr Gonzi's court, but the only honourable thing for the prime minister was to call a general election.

AD CALLS FOR ELECTION

In a statement, Michael Briguglio, AD chairman said, "In view of Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's resignation from the Nationalist Party, AD once again appealed to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to set a date for the general elections.

"The current political situation is causing too much uncertainty. Postponing the inevitable will only make matters worse"."AD affirms that if it is in parliament it will not act like a prima donna on petty issues, but will work responsibly for progressive change".