Former MEP Joseph Cuschieri insisted that it was too early for him to comment on a possible return to politics, stating that he was “resting a little” for the time being.

But he was adamant about one point – he would not accept making it through parliament through co-option, stating that “as a matter of principle,” he would only take up a seat in the House of Representatives if he was elected to fill it.

Mr Cuschieri, a former St Julians councillor, had served as an MP for two full legislatures – between 1998 and 2008 – and had started a third term before making way for the co-option of party leader Joseph Muscat, enabling the former MEP to become Opposition Leader.

Curiously, on all three occasions, he made it to parliament through a casual election made possible by the election of Evarist Bartolo on two electoral districts.

The Labour Party had hailed Mr Cuschieri’s sacrifice, and he was included in its list of candidates for the 2009 European election. He ended up runner-up to the five elected candidates, and was thus set to make it to the European Parliament once Malta was granted a sixth seat as a consequence of the Lisbon Treaty.

He ultimately became an MEP in December 2011, and was appointed head of Labour’s delegation in the EP after last year’s general election. However, his re-election bid this year was unsuccessful.

When contacted, Mr Cuschieri said that he was resting after his experiences in the European Parliament, and that it was too early to consider a return to politics.

Theoretically, an opportunity for him to return to parliament may present itself later this year, when veteran MP Karmenu Vella is expected to vacate his seat to become a European Commissioner.

MPs can be co-opted to parliament when one of three situations takes place, including when a seat is vacated by someone who made it through parliament through a casual election: as was the case when Mr Cuschieri relinquished his seat in 2008.

This does not apply in Mr Vella’s case, however: he was easily elected to parliament after winning 5,231 first-count votes in the fifth electoral district. Nevertheless, co-option may still be possible, although only if one of two conditions is met.

One possibility is perhaps highly unlikely, given the tendency for many voters to vote for most, if not all, of the candidates presented by the political party they support. But a co-option may take place even if a casual election takes place if the “winning” candidate fails to inherit half of the quota of the elected candidate.

Co-option would also take place if no eligible candidates submit their application for the casual election.

Six unsuccessful Labour Party candidates – former MPs Joseph Farrugia and Anthony Zammit, as well as Robert Bugeja, Mario Calleja, Edric Micallef and Anthony Zammit – may seek to contest the casual election to win Mr Vella’s seat; candidates representing other parties may also apply, but it would be nigh-on impossible for them to meet the quota.

It is perhaps unlikely that all of six eligible Labour candidates have lost their interest in making it to parliament. Theoretically, the party can instruct candidates not to put their name forward, but it cannot legally stop them from doing so.

But Mr Cuschieri has emphasised that he would not accept to be co-opted to parliament.

Earlier this year, he had filed a libel suit against the Nationalist Party media over claims that he was seeking to be co-opted when Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca resigned her seat ahead of her appointment as President last April.

His stance has remained unchanged since then.

“If the opportunity for a co-option presents itself, and someone is willing to be co-opted to parliament, it’s their business,” he maintained

“But as a matter of principle, I will not make it to parliament through co-option… I was always elected.”