The electoral process finally came to a close yesterday as the 12 parliamentary seats vacated by candidates elected on two districts were filled in casual elections held at the Naxxar counting hall.
Yesterday’s elections saw the return to parliament of two former cabinet members, Michael Frendo and Censu Galea, and the election of four new MPs, one for the Malta Labour Party and three for the Nationalist Party.
MLP veteran Joe Debono Grech and Gavin Gulia, both of whom also occupied a ministerial and parliamentary secretary post in Labour governments, were also elected.
Dr Gulia had initially declared that he would not contest the casual elections, but later chose to do so “in respect of constituents”, and he was rewarded.
Former parliamentary secretary Tony Abela failed to make it through the back door as he did not make it in both the seventh and 12th districts.
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Owen Bonnici for the MLP and Stephen Spiteri, Philip Mifsud and Charlò Bonnici from the PN were elected for the first time.
The MLP successful candidates had the widest range of ages as 27-year-old Owen Bonnici was elected for the first time while Mr Debono Grech, 68, was returned to parliament for the eighth consecutive time.
The counting of votes of the second (MLP), ninth (PN) and 11th (PN) districts had to start later than all the others as there were candidates who had contested two districts.
An unusual sight for those present was the distribution of beverages and pastizzi by the electoral commission, since the parties did not open the bars they usually set up at the counting hall.
The first candidate to be elected was Stephen Spiteri (PN) from the second district. This came to no surprise as Dr Spiteri was the only Nationalist Party candidate who contested to fill the seat vacated by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
Chris Agius was also returned to parliament from the second district after he filled the seat vacated by MLP Party Affairs Deputy Leader Michael Falzon, who did the rounds of the hall and took care of the process on the party’s behalf.
Mr Agius will be returned to parliament for the fourth consecutive time. This was the first time that he made it to parliament through a casual election, something which he described as a personal disappointment coupled with the dismay of the MLP losing the election. He thanked all those who showed their faith in him and promised them to work harder than ever before.
On the other hand, Owen Bonnici made it to parliament for the first time yesterday after he won the seat vacated by Helena Dalli on the third district. Dr Bonnici said he entered parliament while big internal changes are taking place within the MLP. He said that being the youngest MP for his party would all the more encourage him to be part of these developments and called for the necessary changes to be made. He promised to work assiduously and to remain close to his constituents. He also dedicated his success to his daughter Emma who was born on election day.
Joseph Sammut succeeded in taking over the MLP seat relinquished by George Vella on the fifth district. Speaking to this newspaper, Dr Sammut said every election is difficult and one learns something new from each one. Dr Sammut, who will be returning to parliament for the fourth time running, pledged to be ever closer to the people.
Former Justice PS Gavin Gulia was radiant after he was returned to parliament from the sixth district, which seat was vacated by Acting Labour Leader Charles Mangion. His election was greeted with cheers, hugs, clapping and kisses. Dr Gulia commented that he failed to be elected from the seventh district, which he described as his “natural one” because of circumstances over which he had no control. However, he said, he managed to be elected on the sixth one, which he had always contested, yet because of the change in its configuration he did not have enough time to visit thoroughly. He promised to make up for this by working harder than ever.
Asked on whether he was still interested in contesting the party deputy leadership post, Dr Gulia said the MLP statute does not bar MPs from contesting and after reiterating his intentions, he said he was meeting party delegates on a daily basis.
Former Zebbug councillor Philip Mifsud was elected to fill the seat vacated by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando on the seventh district. Mr Mifsud greeted the result with satisfaction and a sense of responsibility he said he owes to the country and his constituency, to whom he pledged his loyalty. He said he also felt responsible for the future of the country. The architect has been active in politics for nine years, having contested two general elections and three local ones.
The seat vacated by former MLP leader Alfred Sant on the eight district was filled by Joe Debono Grech, who was returned to parliament for the eighth consecutive time, thus confirming his status as the current longest continuous serving MP.
Asked about his opinion about the coming legislature, Mr Debono Grech said that it was too early to comment about it; however he likened the situation in parliament to 1971, when the MLP had a one-seat majority. He also said that it would be up to the party to decide on how the MPs will work in parliament.
Joseph Falzon was returned to parliament after he succeeded in winning the causal election on the ninth district, thus taking up the parliamentary seat vacated by Robert Arrigo. The architect, who five years ago was also elected through a casual election on the ninth district, said his being confirmed as an MP meant that the people acknowledge his work in the past years. He remarked on how the ninth district was a difficult one for PN candidates.
The MLP seat on the 10th district relinquished by the party leadership contestant Evarist Bartolo was taken up by Joe Cuschieri, who is to serve his third term as an MP.
He thanked the voters of the ninth and 10th districts and committed himself to remain close to the people. Given the new challenges of the coming legislature, remarked Mr Cuschieri, one needs to work harder than ever.
The same district had another casual election, this time on the PN camp, with Michael Frendo gaining the seat vacated by Education Minister Dolores Cristina.
The former Foreign Affairs Minister promised to be of service to the people as an MP who has gained considerable experience from his 20 years in parliament and the ministerial posts he occupied.
Asked whether his previous post had kept him away from the people, Dr Frendo commented that he carried out his duties and the fruits of his work are tangible and are there for all to see, adding that Malta is benefiting from the results.
The 11th district will have a new MP after Attard councillor Charlò Bonnici succeeded in garnering the seat vacated by Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg. He said his seven-month-long electoral campaign paid off. He thanked his family, friends and constituents for their support.
Former minister Censu Galea, who was returned to parliament after winning the casual election for Tonio Fenech’s seat on the 12th district, said he was satisfied with the outcome. He said he was committed to work and use his experience for the good of the constituency.
Parliament is expected to reconvene on Saturday 10 May. The government and opposition still have to decide who will be the next speaker and the deputy.
Negotiations are also expected regarding the thorny issue of pairing.
Parliament’s line-upThe complete list of Members of Parliament for the eleventh legislature is as follows:
Government: Agius David, Agius Francis, Arrigo Robert, Azzopardi Fredrick, Azzopardi Jason, Bonnici Charlò, Borg Tonio, Cassar Joe, Cristina Dolores, Dalli John, de Marco Mario, Debono Franco, Debono Giovanna, Deguara Louis, Falzon Joseph, Farrugia Jean-Pierre, Fenech Adami Beppe, Fenech Tonio, Frendo Michael, Galea Censu, Galea Mario, Gatt Austin, Gonzi Lawrence, Gonzi Michael, Mifsud Bonnici Carmelo, Mifsud Philip, Mugliett Jesmond, Puli Clyde, Pullicino George, Pullicino Orlando Jeffrey, Said Chris, Spiteri Stephen, Vassallo Edwin, Zammit Ninu, Zammit Dimech Francis.
Opposition: Abela Carmelo, Agius Chris, Agius Decelis Anthony, Bartolo Evarist, Bonnici Owen, Brincat Leo, Buhagiar Charles, Buontempo Stefan, Busuttil Luciano, Cardona Chris, Caruana Justyne, Chircop Karl, Coleiro-Preca Marie-Louise, Cuschieri Joseph, Dalli Helena, Debono Grech Joe, Falzon Michael, Farrugia Anglu, Farrugia Noel, Farrugia Michael, Galdes Roderick, Gulia Gavin, Herrera José, Mangion Charles, Mizzi Joe, Parnis Silvio, Pullicino Marlene, Refalo Anton, Sammut Joseph, Sant Alfred, Vassallo Adrian, Vella George, Vella Karmenu, Zammit Anthony.
