Jason Micallef re-elected MLP general secretary
Sceberras Trigona returns as international secretary
Jason Micallef has been re-elected general secretary of the Labour Party, emerging triumphant from a bruising contest where the field, despite having been narrowed to four candidates from the original six, was still wide enough to divide his opponents.
Mr Micallef, won the vote of 370 party delegates (out of 837 valid votes) in an election which was held yesterday evening at MLP headquarters in Hamrun.The result was announced early this morning.
Alfred Grixti won 229 votes, Joe Vella Bonnici 224 and Keith Grech just 14.
Mr Micallef has been general secretary since 2003 but opposition to him hardened after he was partly blamed for the March 8 general election defeat.
There was also no change at the top of the party administration, with Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi beating off a challenge from Wenzu Mintoff.
Louis Gatt was re-elected vice-president.
Joseph Cordina is the new finance secretary while Ray Azzopardi was uncontested as public relations officer.
Alex Sceberras Trigona, a former foreign minister, returns to the MLP administration, having beaten Joe Mifsud to the post of international secretary, a post which he once also occupied, while Aaron Farrugia was elected the new education secretary.
The general conference was opened by party leader Joseph Muscat, who in brief comments thanked the people for the solidarity shown to Labour health spokesman Karl Chircop, who is in critical condition in hospital.
The party delegates will meet again today to vote in 10 members of the party executive and discuss amendments to the party statute, notably on the selection of candidates for the European Parliament elections.