The MEP elections are approximately one year away, and there are those who are already beginning to wonder who Malta's candidates will be. While many of the sitting MEPs have declared their intention to recontest, some new faces are also expected to stand - such as lawyer Frank Psaila and dancer Felix Busuttil.

The Malta Independent on Sunday contacted the current MEPs, those touted to be considering the possibility of running and many of those who contested the previous 2014 election. Former Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil, who was an MEP himself, was also contacted.

Current MEPs

All three PN MEPs -Roberta Metsola, David Casa and Francis Zammit Dimech - have confirmed that they will contest the 2019 MEP elections.

While Metsola and Casa were both elected in 2014, Zammit Dimech was elected through a casual election replacing Therese Comodini Cachia, after she took up a seat in the Maltese Parliament.

On the Labour Party's side, things are still not as clear-cut. PL MEP Miriam Dalli told this newsroom that her thoughts are towards contesting again, but said that this would be subject to the Labour Party approval process.

Marlene Mizzi told The Malta Independent that she was thinking about it, but on Sunday said she would not be contesting.

Mizzi said on Facebook that this was not an easy decision but everything had a beginning and an end. The MEP said it had not been easy to live in four places - Brussels, Strasbourg, Malta and various airports. She said she hoped she would have more time to enjoy her family. 

MEP Alfred Sant did not reply to the questions sent.

Rumoured new MEP candidates

A number of people who did not put their name forward at the last MEP elections are being touted as potential candidates.

PN

Local councillor and activist Michael Briguglio confirmed that he had been approached by the PN to contest the upcoming MEP elections. He said that it is something he is looking into and that when he has anything further to say he will have no problem saying it.

Lawyer and Net TV presenter Frank Psaila confirmed his intention to contest the election, and said that he has discussed this with the party. He noted, however, that the process of candidate selection has still to take place. He has actively campaigned on social media.

Qormi local councillor and member of the PN national executive Jerome Caruana Cilia was non-committal in his response. He said that there are always people - activists - who urge individuals to stand for this or that election and pointed out that he is currently focused on his work on Qormi local council and in the party structures. He mentioned that he expects the party commission will be set up, as is the case before every election, to discuss possible candidates with many people. He said that, when he contests elections, his decision is not based on personal ambition but in order to help and represent the people.

Lawyer and PN activist Bernard Grech said that he remains committed to analysing the political scene and commenting about it without limitation. He confirmed that he had been invited to contest the MEP elections for the PN, and is having discussions with a number of people to see how he can give a more effective service. "Being an MEP candidate is one way I can contribute, but it is certainly not the only way, and this is why I want to listen and weigh my options," he said.

PL

TV Presenter and former PN Executive Jean Claude Micallef, who contested for the PL in the third district, confirmed that he has been asked to contest the MEP elections, "but I am more interested in focusing on the 3rd District especially after last year's election result and the ever-increasing support. Nevertheless, the role of an MEP has always been close to my heart and I can understand the hundreds of requests to accept the Party's invitation to feature on the PL's MEP ballot sheet."

Dancer, choreographer and LGBT activist Felix Busuttil is considering throwing his name in as a candidate for the Labour Party in the European Parliament election. Pro-Labour newspaper l-orizzont said that, when contacted, Busuttil admitted that he had spoken to the Prime Minister on the subject. He said that his candidacy will still need to be approved by the PL.

Former PL general election candidate and legal procurator Lorna Vassallo said she is considering the possibility of standing, but said that the party has not begun approving candidates yet as the election is still a long way off.

Actor Kevin Drake said that he prefers not to comment at this stage.

TV presenter Karl Stagno Navarra said that although many people have asked him to consider standing, "my reply is that I do not intend to contest the forthcoming European Parliament Election." This contradicts previous news reports speculating that he would contest.

2014 candidates

This newsroom also set out to contact candidates who stood in the 2014 MEP election, to see whether they will re contest. The following responded.

PN

Lawyer Kevin Cutajar said that he has not made a decision yet.

Entrepreneur Helga Ellul told this newsroom that she will not be contesting the election.

Stefano Mallia was appointed by the Employers Group within the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) as one of three rapporteurs on the Brexit Advisory Group back in 2016. He said that he will not be contesting the MEP election, as he has a few years left on the committee and intends to respect the term.

TV presenter Norman Vella said that such things are discussed within the party structures, and that discussions have not yet taken place. He said that his loyalty is to the party, not to a person or to his own ambitions. "If the party and I together decide I can contribute, then we will see."

PL

Former Parliamentary Secretary Deborah Schembri said that she is not considering contesting the upcoming MEP election.

Former MEP Joseph Cuschieri declined to comment, given that he is in the diplomatic corps and cannot talk about politics.

Lawyer and PL activist Charlon Gouder said he is keeping his options open but said that people within the party had approached him.

Former Opposition Leader

Former Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil, who was also approached by this newsroom, said that he has not given the matter any thought yet.

He did say: "However, in the meantime my focus is on fighting corruption."

PD 'keeping its options open' - Marlene Farrugia

PD is keeping all options open, the party's founder Marlene Farrugia told this newspaper:  "I'm about to become a nanna if all goes well, so at the moment I'm concentrating my energy on supporting my daughter at this special time, supporting my other children, while providing the best possible care for my patients and my country."