As the EP election and the tedious counting process drew to an end, this newspaper took time to research the EP candidates backgrounds and managed to come up with light bits and pieces of information on a few people.

Childhood whiz

Labour Party candidate Joseph Cuschieri was apparently a bit of a naughty one at school, and a former teacher told us that he spent a portion of his school time out of the classroom. However, he has now decided to pull up his socks and is reading for a Masters Degree in European Union Law with the University of London. Hopefully he will manage to graduate before Malta gets the sixth seat in terms of the Lisbon Treaty if it is ratified by all member states.

Early adulthood frugality

One of John Attard Montalto’s first jobs before embarking on his professional career was at a turkey farm on weekends and public holidays, definitely a nice way to start saving up. He later worked at a fast food outlet and as a tourist guide. His website even states that he had been doing odd jobs since the age of 13. You might ask whether such information is that important to be posted on an MEP’s online profile but funnier still is his latest articles and press releases section. The most recent one dates back to 19 November, 2008. While there are a few more posts in November and even further back, there are no fresh posts.

Breaking the news

As the news that the Labour Party had won the EP election by a large absolute majority, Frank Portelli was said to have sent text messages noting that he was receiving treatment with other PN supporters for wounds sustained in the landslide defeat and that there was a long queue at the Mater Dei emergency department.

Others

Most of the MEPs’ funny or lighter sides such as those of David Casa, Louis Grech and Edward Scicluna in particular, were difficult to track down, however we managed to conclude that Simon Busuttil has Joseph Chetcuti (Arani Issa & Nies ta’ Vera guy) as a true friend – ‘habib ta’ vera’. And if Simon’s not too busy while in Malta, Chiara will definitely dine with him one evening. Meanwhile, DJ Gianni describes him as fit for an EP seat because of his experience due to old age. But he also likes him because he was one of the few who managed to remain serious and not burst out in laughter in Ali Bubacker and Gianni interview.

And the women…

Claudette Baldacchino added Abela to her surname landing her the topmost place on the Labour Party list on the ballot paper. As it happened, upon her elimination, over 9,000 of her votes went to the second name on the ballot, John Attard Montalto, whose new tally of votes totally eliminated Marlene Mizzi’s chances of being elected, though she had been looking likely to get the Labour Party’s fourth seat. Likewise, Roberta Tedesco Triccas added Metsola to her already double barrelled surname, however this did not translate into much luck.

And for the Lowellellians

Norman Lowell yesterday admitted he did not vote in Saturday’s European Parliament election, saying he could not bring himself to vote for himself. “It’s beneath my dignity to vote for myself,” he said, when contacted yesterday. He said he and some friends organised a barbecue on Friday night, and on Saturday he spent the day alone in Dwejra to be at one with nature. “It is very important for someone with a great idea such as that of Imperium Europa (his party) to spend time in solitude and at one with nature. I felt that was more important for me.” Asked if he considered voting for Reuben Attard, who also contested Saturday’s election on the Imperium Europa ticket, Mr Lowell said he knew Mr Attard would only get about 100 votes, so his vote would not have made a difference. “It is very painful to have got such a terrible result, because I would have saved the country,” he said. Mr Lowell more than doubled the number of votes he got in the 2004 EP election from 1,603 to 3,559. By failing to elect him, the people “missed the tremendous chance of putting Malta at the apex of Europe”, he said, adding that this is another tragedy, another missed opportunity for the country.