Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat left for a holiday in Northern Italy last Friday soon after calling on the Prime Minister to call an early election given the prevailing political situation.

Dr Muscat joined his wife and children in Italy two days after they left for Italy and will remain there until Friday.

Asked about the timing of the trip, considering Dr Muscat’s view of the crisis, his spokesman said: “This was the time for a holiday because the situation will only get worse in the coming weeks.

“After all, the ball is in the Prime Minister’s court and his indecision is what is affecting the country.”

Just a day before going on holiday, Dr Muscat described the political situation in Malta as having a “hung Parliament” where the government had a “coalition partner” in its former MP, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.

The latter’s fallout with the PN arrived after voting with Labour on a motion to oust Malta’s Permanent Representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana.

While resigning from the party, Dr Pullicino Orlando still kept his seat as an MP and promised to “collaborate” in Parliament on the PN’s electoral programme.

Asked whether Labour would have tolerated a holiday by the Prime Minister at this sensitive political time, the spokesman indicated sarcastically that this could be a good idea.

“It would be better for the Prime Minister to take a short trip and come back with decisions that need to be taken,” the spokesman said.

President George Abela is also out of the country, carrying out voluntary work in Peru with a team of volunteers.

Asked whether Labour felt Dr Abela should return to the island in light of the political situation, Dr Muscat’s spokesman said the President was “responsible enough” to make decisions according to the country’s best interest.