PN MP Frederick Azzopardi has not been contacted by anyone on PN Leader Adrian Delia's team, nor from anyone within the party structures to give up his Parliamentary seat, despite rumours that he might have been approached to make way.
This newsroom asked the MP if he would be willing to give up his seat for Delia. "During the election, I spoke with all four candidates and at no time did this subject arise. Till today, nobody has spoken to me on this subject. I wasn't contacted by anyone, neither the party nor Adrian Delia."
Asked if he would be willing to give up his seat, the MP was non-committal, and had not really considered what he would do if asked.
"I was always loyal to the leader and always moved according to the line set by the leader, under Eddie Fenech Adami, Lawrence Gonzi and Simon Busuttil. I will move according to the lines and needs of the party." He added that he has not really considered what he would do if asked, as he has not been asked to give up his seat.
He said however, that there would be a problem with his seat, mentioning the need of a casual election, even though he was elected to Parliament on a constitutional measure. "There were doubts as to whether a seat such as mine would need a casual election, bus I have always known it to require one. It seems there was a post somewhere that in my case there would not be a casual election, which is not the case, as I was elected outright."
He said that in his district (13th district), there are people who would contest such a casual election.
He said that if a person or two go out for the casual election, and don't get 50% +1 vote, only then would a co-option occur.
"I believe that there are people who would contest the casual election."
Recently, a number of MPs who were elected through a casual election (as if one of them were to resign Delia would then be able to be co-opted) have said no the idea. Reports have read that Maria Deguara, Ivan Bartolo, Karol Aquilina and David Stellini are such MPs who have said no. Godfrey Farrugia was also elected through a casual election.