Mr Muscat, an economist by profession, said he was extremely pleased that he was elected as Malta’s second MEP. He said his commitment remains that of remaining close to the people as much as possible. He said he and two other Labour MEPs will be working hand in hand with the other MEPs to win more advantages from the EU while trying to keep away the disadvantages.
“Where we disagree we will say so, but where the national interest warrants so, we will work together,” he said. A group of around 50 or so gathered around Mr Muscat and together counted the number of batches of 50 votes, closing it off with a loud Viva l-Labour chant.
During the night between Sunday and Monday and all day yesterday, counting agents continued counting the second preference votes. This process also saw the elimination of a number of candidates.
Those with the lowest number of first count votes were the first to be eliminated. The process began early during Sunday to Monday night, just after Dr Busuttil was elected. The first candidates who were eliminated on the third count were nine of the independent candidates or those who contested on behalf of a recently-set-up political party or lobby group.
These included Damian Iwueke Chukwuemeka, who told The Malta Independent that he was glad he made himself heard during the run-up to the EP election.
He said he was satisfied with his performance, adding that this result could serve as the ideal foundation stone for his future projects. Asked what these were, Mr Iwueke said it was too early to make these ideas public. He promised that this paper will be the first to know!
On the fourth count, MLP candidate and former AD candidate in previous general elections Wenzu Mintoff, was the next to give up his place in the battle for votes.
Just before being eliminated, Mr Mintoff had 3,216 votes, which increased from the 3,182 votes he achieved on the first count.
The next person who lost his place in the race was Lino Farrugia, an independent candidate who had the backing of the local and European Associations for Hunting and Trapping. Just before losing his place, Mr Farrugia had 3,308 votes, which increased from his 3,119 first preference votes.
Ironically, 56 of his voters gave their second preference to AD’s Arnold Cassola.
Former Nationalist Minister, PN candidate and Water Services Corporation chairman Michael Falzon was next on the list to give up his place in the race and his votes were transferred to other candidates who were still vying a post in the EP. Michael Falzon was eliminated with 3,551 votes on the fifth count, which increased from the 2,989 first preference votes.
MLP candidate and economist Robert Micallef was the next to be eliminated on the seventh count. He was eliminated with 3,638 votes, which had increased from the 3,390 first preference votes he received. Ian Spiteri Bailey, who received 3,137 first count votes, which increased to 4,431 by the seventh count, was eliminated on the eighth count.
The ninth count saw the elimination of Anton Tabone while the 10th count saw the elimination of candidate Owen Bonnici. His second preference votes made it possible for Mr Muscat to be elected as Malta’s second MEP.
The atmosphere at the Ta’ Qali counting hall was rather calm. Labour leader Alfred Sant made a short visit to the hall, where he spoke to people who are working for the party as counting staff and supporting staff. Counting was expected to continue all through last night and this morning. Other MEPs are also expected to be elected today, with John Attard Montalto expected to be the third candidate to make it into the EP.
The third MLP EP post is a battle between Louis Grech, Glenn Bedingfield and Joe Debono Grech, while David Casa is likely to make it for the PN. AD’s Prof. Cassola is however still in with a chance.