Labour leader Joseph Muscat said his party was prepared for an electoral campaign and described the choice of March 9 as election day as “proof that Dr Gonzi gives more weight to the interests of his party than those of the country”.

Tomorrow is another working day, as is the day after the election, whatever the result

Describing the collapse of the Nationalist government as something which has been brewing for a long time, Dr Muscat said the party was now looking forward to explaining its proposals to govern the country.

Asked to explain his crucial pledge to reduce water and electricity bills, Dr Muscat said the party would issue its electoral programme on January 7, to coincide with the start of its electoral campaign.

Dr Muscat said he had already discussed, and agreed, with the Prime Minister that no electoral campaign activities would be held until the Christmas season was over.

He appealed for the campaign to be carried out in tranquillity and serenity as part of the normal democratic process.

“Tomorrow is another working day, as is the day after the election, whatever the result,” Dr Muscat said.

Speaking during a televised press conference in the presence of all Labour candidates, Dr Muscat insisted that now that the Government was a caretaker, it had the moral duty to administer the country on a day-to-day basis.

“Permanent secretaries must ensure the Government doesn’t enter into any new commitments, which will have to be borne by another administration,” he warned.

Referring to a possible crucial EU summit during the electoral campaign in which the negotiations on the EU budget for between 2014 and 2020 might be concluded, he pledged Labour’s support to clinch the best deal.

“We think we should be consulted on this issue by the Prime Minister,” he added.

Asked to react to the issue surrounding Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco – who was rapped by the ethics committee of the International Olympic Committee – Dr Muscat said that while respecting the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary, if in government he would follow any impeachment recommendation issued by the Commission for the Administration of Justice.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has called for the resignation of the judge and said the Government would not hesitate to move an impeachment motion if recommended by the commission.

Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco, whose son is a Labour candidate, had responded by accusing the Prime Minister of “trying to be funny”.

Last night, as soon as the parliamentary vote was announced, hundreds of Labour activists flocked to the party headquarters in Hamrun, some hooting horns and gave a resounding welcome to Dr Muscat.

They hugged each other in the reception area of the party ­headquarters while breaking into loud applause for Dr Muscat when he emerged from the press conference.