Nationalist Party MP Ryan Callus will not be contesting the next general election, meaning that his parliamentary service will come to an end after more than a decade. Callus was first elected to the Maltese Parliament in 2013.
He announced this decision in an exclusive interview with Newsbook Malta, where he stressed that it was not an easy choice, but it will allow him to dedicate more time to his family, including his two daughters aged seven and two.
Callus said he had spoken about this decision with former PN Leader Bernard Grech a few weeks ago, as well as with current PN Leader Alex Borg and candidate Adrian Delia before the leadership election. Although they tried to convince him otherwise, they understood why he was making this decision for personal reasons.
Callus, who is a qualified engineer, was deputy mayor of Siġġiewi when he contested his first general election in 2013. He also served in the legislatures that began in 2018 and 2022, increasing his vote count with each election.
He explained that Alex Borg asked him to form part of the electoral campaign team, and Callus said he accepted out of respect for the PN and its Leader.
As Shadow Minister for Social Dialogue, a portfolio assigned to him by Borg, he said he had the opportunity to learn more about social challenges, such as work-life balance.
Asked about the possibility of part-time politicians, Callus said that politics requires too much work for someone to dedicate only a few hours a week to it. He insisted that a politician has no Saturdays or Sundays and cannot simply say that the time has come to stop working and truly switch off.
In a post on Facebook Tuesday, Callus said he came to this decision after a great deal of thought, and months of discussions with my family.
"This is not an easy decision... in fact, it is one that carries many emotions and many beautiful memories. I want to spend more time with our two young daughters, who always waited for me at home with patience and love," he wrote.
"I feel very fortunate that for three consecutive legislatures - each time with a stronger mandate, and in the last one elected from two districts - I was able to serve in Parliament on behalf of the Nationalist Party and all Maltese people."
He said that he held several portfolios: planning, land, environment, sport, infrastructure, energy, and now social dialogue and trade promotion. "One of my greatest moments of satisfaction was when I published Malta's 30-year Energy Strategy - a piece of work I strongly believed in. A special thank you to the professionals, experts, and friends who voluntarily lent me your knowledge and time, allowing me to fulfil all the portfolios entrusted to me," he said.
"This does not mean I am saying goodbye - because my values and passion for my country remain. I will continue serving the Nationalist Party and working closely with Dr Alex Borg, in whom I fully believe and who is giving new hope to the Maltese and Gozitan people," he said.