The weekend’s general election has seen the emergence of a number of new faces as members of parliament.
When contacted for comments, lawyer Franco Debono, who was elected on behalf of the Nationalist Party on the fifth district, said he felt it a great privilege to represent and serve his constituents, but did not refrain from outlining the great responsibility that this entails. Promoting himself as a man of the people who aims to allow the voices of his constituents to be heard in parliament, Dr Debono ensured that while building upon the foundations laid by the government over the past few years, he will seek to bring energy, enthusiasm and new ideas to his role as a member of parliament.
Beppe Fenech Adami, elected on the eighth district – his father’s, former PM and party leader Eddie, today Malta’s head of state – also expressed great satisfaction at being elected, particularly considering that two PN heavyweights also contested the district, namely party deputy leader Tonio Borg and Tonio Fenech.
Dr Fenech Adami stated his belief that although this was the first general election he has contested, he has been involved in politics all his life, and this has allowed his constituents to nurture a feeling of trust towards him. Dr. Fenech Adami expressed his intention to use his parliamentary seat to ensure that the electoral manifesto presented by his party is applied in full.
On behalf of the Labour Party, Marlene Pullicino, elected on the fifth district, stated that she considered it a great achievement to be elected for the first time. Dr Pullicino had previously been a candidate for the Nationalist Party in the 2003 general election. When contacted, she argued that she perceived her previous PN allegiance to be an obstacle which she is proud to have overcome by promoting values of sincerity, trust and work ethic to the constituents in her districts. Although disappointed by the Labour Party defeat, Dr Pullicino stated her intention to use her role as an MP to work towards a united form of politics in which all political parties strive for the benefit of the country.
Luciano Busuttil, a former mayor of Hamrun and new Labour MP elected on the first district, outlined the great effort and personal sacrifices required in his new role, and expressed satisfaction on behalf of those who had placed their trust in him. Dr Busuttil declared that since he is new to parliament, he is still learning and gaining experience, but expressed his optimism that the new MLP cycle, consisting of the party’s young blood, will achieve positive results.