Thursday, 17th April 2008 - 09:58CET
Wrap-up: Four new MPs elected from the casual elections
The composition of the 11th Parliament since Independence was concluded today with the election of 12 MPs to fill seats vacated by candidates who were elected from two districts at the March 8 general election.
A third of the candidates elected today will be new to the House of Representatives.
They are Nationalist candidates Stephen Spiteri, Charlo' Bonnici and Philip Mifsud and Labour candidate Owen Bonnici, who at 27, will be the youngest of the 69 MPs.
The elections, at Naxxar counting centre, also saw the return of four former ministers - Michael Frendo and Censu Galea for the Nationalists, and Joe Debono Grech and Gavin Gulia for Labour.
The other candidates to get elected were former MPs Joseph Cuschieri, Joe M. Sammut and Chris Agius (all Labour) and Joseph Falzon (PN).
Former Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela was among those who failed to get elected. Former Nationalist MP Michael Asciak, who had declared he would not submit a nomination for the casual elections but then changed his mind, was close to getting re-elected, before Charlo' Bonnici won that battle on the eleventh district to take the seat vacated by Tonio Borg.
The first to be elected today was Stephen Spiteri, who took the seat vacated by Lawrence Gonzi on the second district. Fellow newcomer Philip Mifsud, a former member of Zebbug local council, was elected to fill the seat vacated by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando in the seventh district. Owen Bonnici took Helena Dalli's seat on the third district.
Dr Sammut was elected from the fifth district, taking a seat vacated by George Vella (MLP) , and Joseph Cuschieri from the tenth district, taking the seat vacated by Evarist Bartolo (MLP).
Joseph Falzon was elected from the ninth district, a seat vacated by Robert Arrigo (PN) while Chris Agius took Labour deputy leader Michael Falzon's seat on the second district.
Of the former ministers, Mr Galea was elected from the 12th district, filling the seat vacated by Tonio Fenech. Gavin Gulia was elected from the sixth district instead of Charles Mangion and Joe Debono Grech took the seat vacated by Alfred Sant in the eighth district. Dr Frendo was elected from the tenth district, a seat vacated by Dolores Cristina.
Parliament is due to convene on May 10.
Picture: New Labour MP Owen Bonnici (centre) is congratulated by MLP deputy leader Michael Falzon (left) himself a new MP having been elected from two districts on March 8.
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Comments
Mr Gavin, was saved by the bell - maybe he had been not so wise after all ??
Mr Debono, is not a new face surely, he can do so well if he takes the role for a shadow Minister, for Education !
just for information, philip was very quick with his thanks
joe vella
Well done. Your interest in politics from your days at the Seminary has paid off. Work for democracy and keep smiling.
Social Studies teacher - M.Pace
So pleased you are back in Parliament. You had worked so hard!
The other positive thing happened today was that more new faces from both parties will be in parliament. I think it's a good sign. New blood and New ideas.
I am joining the crowd to congratulate the newly elected MP and recommend to think of: CHANGE
BIG PICTURE
PERSEVERANCE
A long winding road.
Tony
ian
both are hard workers, they deserve it
good luck from joe vella