The Labour Party’s Executive has approved 23 more candidates for the upcoming general election.

The approvals include seven candidates who are contesting the elections for the first time.

Those new candidates are Miguel Balzan (Districts 9 and 10), Rosette Cassar (Districts 8 and 10), Jorge Grech (District 2), Eric Plumpton (Districts 3 and 4), Kaydem Schembri (District 5), Nigel Vella (District 1), and Shana Woods (Districts 2 and 4).

The remaining approved candidates include several sitting MPs and Ministers, and also includes former Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne and MP Rosianne Cutajar.

There had been speculation of internal divisions over the nominations of Fearne and Cutajar in particular, especially after Roderick Galdes was blocked from contesting for the party, but they have successfully navigated the process to officially be approved as candidates.

The approved candidates are: Jo Etienne Abela (Districts 10 and 13), Abigail Camilleri (District 13), Clint Camilleri (District 13), Clyde Caruana (Districts 2 and 8), Edward Cassar Delia (Districts 2 and 10), Rosianne Cutajar (Districts 6 and 12), Miriam Dalli (Districts 5 and 11), Deo Debattista (District 1), Chris Fearne (Districts 3 and 4), Clifton Grima (Districts 9 and 10), Franco Mercieca (District 12), Anton Refalo (District 13), Silvio Schembri (Districts 6 and 7), Amanda Spiteri Grech (Districts 2 and 4), Romilda Zarb (Districts 11 and 12), and Alison Zerafa Civelli (District 2).