Every time an election approaches, there is huge speculation as to when this should be held.

Everybody comes up with his or her ideas, with the party in opposition getting geared up early in the race as it expects the Prime Minister to announce the date in the shortest term possible.

Whenever Dr Eddie Fenech Adami was Prime Minister, he always called an early election to stop the speculation, which has a negative effect on our way of life, and especially on business.

If I am not mistaken, Dr Lawrence Gonzi has until August next year to call an election. So there is still, technically speaking, 10 months to go. And yet we have been hearing talk about the election since the start of this current year. The fuel to the flames has been added by the Labour Party, which sees every day as an extra burden in their bid to return to government.

The Prime Minister should take his time. First of all, he should allow the Christmas season to pass to allow families to enjoy this special time together, and for business to enjoy its best time of the year.

It is only afterwards that Dr Gonzi should start making up his mind, and this will largely depend on the impact of the euro. For me, I think that the idea to freeze prices till March gives us a clear indication as to when the government plans to hold the election. Just before the prices are allowed to thaw. What do you think?

Mario Caruana

Sliema