The leaders of the country this morning laid wreaths at the foot of the monument that celebrates Malta’s Independence in Floriana.

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil laid flowers at the monument in a single, joint ceremony, yet another event that signified the unity by which this 50th anniversary of Independence is being celebrated in Malta.

For many years in the past, the Labour Party did not recognise Independence Day, striking it off the national calendar. When Joseph Muscat became PL leader, he laid the wreath in a ceremony which was separate to the one in which the President and Prime Minister took part.