The decision by Nationalist Part MEP Therese Comodini Cachia to relinquish the parliamentary seat she won on the eighth district, and stay in Brussels as an MEP, has led to heavy criticism.
The question now is: who will be replacing Dr Comodini Cachia?
The PN candidates on the eighth district were David Agius, Michael Asciak, Claudette Buttigieg, Beppe Fenech Adami, Censu Galea, Angelo Micallef, Mario Giorgio Schembri, Justin Schembri, Dorian Sciberras, David Thake and Norman Vella. From the Democratic Party, which forms part of a coalition with the PN entitled Forza Nazzjonali, the candidates were Timothy Alden, Malcolm Bezzina and Lee Bugeja Bartolo.
After Dr Comodini Cachia relinquished her seat, a by-election will be taking place later this month in order to ascertain, through our somewhat complex transferable vote system, who is next in line.
Candidates Beppe Fenech Adami, Claudette Buttigieg and David Agius have already been elected to Parliament.
Contacted by this newsroom, candidates Norman Vella, David Thake, Justin Schembri, Angelo Micallef, Censu Galea and Michael Asciak also said that they will definitely be submitting their names for the by-election.
It is not known whether PN candidate Mario Giorgio Schembri will be contesting. PD candidates are eligible to contest for the by-election, however it is not known whether they will be doing so.
Popular Radio 101 presenter David Thake was the closest candidate to reach the quota after David Agius, Dr Comodini Cachia and Dr Fenech Adami, reaching 1,928 votes.
The required quota to be elected on the eighth district is 3,968 votes.
Dr Comodini Cachia announced that she would not be accepting a seat in Parliament on Tuesday. In comments to this newsroom, she said:
"With deep regret but after careful consideration and discussion with my family, I have decided to relinquish the seat as a Member of the House of Representatives elected from the 8th district.
"This was a very short electoral campaign and people's support and the trust shown in me is overwhelming. I have continuously sought to reciprocate people's trust by addressing national priorities and people's concerns, both locally and within the European Parliament. This is what I intend to continue doing during the remaining part of my term as member of the European Parliament - strengthening the voice of each and every Maltese and Gozitan within the European Parliament."
She was deeply criticised across social media and on news portal comment boards for her decision.