Peter Micallef today won the casual election for the parliamentary seat vacated by PN MP Jean Pierre Debono's after receiving 1,719 votes.

The winning candidate was required to reach 50% + 1 of Debono's votes in the last general election, which was 1,653 votes.

Micallef confirmed when answering questions from the press that he would hand over the seat to newly-elected leader Adrian Delia. He will do so by resigning soon after being sworn in, paving way for Delia's co-option.

Peter Micallef MKE16423.MOV from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.

Asked by The Malta Independent, Micallef categorically denied that he has been offered a role by Delia nor that he was seeking one. 

He stressed his support for the party and its leader, but said that he supported all the candidates in the leadership election.

Antoine Borg was the last candidate to be eliminated with 1,489 votes.

Six Nationalist Party candidates Sam Abela, Dounia Borg, David Vassallo, Peter Micallef Antoine Borg and Ian Vassallo contested the election. One PD candidate, Lee Bugeja Bartolo opted to contest but he was eliminated immediately.

Delia’s co-option has already been discussed by the House Business Committee. It is expected that the winner of today’s casual election delivers a speech in Parliament this evening and resign.

Delia is likely to be sworn in as MP on Wednesday, with Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil expected to resign the post on Thursday for Delia to take over his full duties the next day.

Delia and Debono were present at the counting hall.