Reports of PN pressure on Musumeci 'mere speculation'

Nationalist candidate Robert Musumeci yesterday submitted his nomination to contest the casual election to fill John Dalli's seat in parliament and dismissed as "mere speculation" reports that the Nationalist Party had put pressure on him not to run.

Mr Musumeci's decision to submit his nomination for Thursday's election comes as a surprise to some who doubted whether he would opt out of the contest in the light of a series of allegations made by a columnist.

Contacted yesterday, the Siġġiewi mayor said: "My loyalty to the electorate is in line with the democratic process of general elections."

The 36-year-old architect, however, dismissed comments from Nationalists who feared he could potentially switch party if elected.

"My allegiance has always been to the PN and I will certainly always act with great respect to the party. If you check my records as Nationalist mayor for the past 11 years, you will see that I have always toed the party line - without fail. This should address any speculation or unfounded claims."

When asked whether it had put any pressure on Mr Musumeci not to contest, the Office of the Prime Minister said: "This is all sheer speculation. Robert Musumeci was left at liberty to make his own decision on the matter."

Asked for the Prime Minister's views on Mr Musumeci's decision to contest, the OPM said: "Robert Musumeci was one of the PN candidates in the sixth district. He is therefore entitled to submit his name to contest the casual election following John Dalli's resignation who was elected from the same district."

Mr Musumeci will contest the seat formerly occupied by the Social Policy Minister with Peter Micallef, who also submitted his nomination yesterday.

The selected candidate will need to obtain half the quota to be elected: 1,878 votes. If this does not happen, the governing party will co-opt a person of its choice to the House.

Mr Musumeci will start the election with 165 votes, the number inherited by Mr Dalli in the general election when the Siġġiewi mayor was eliminated. This will give him a headstart over Dr Micallef who starts with no votes.

However, Dr Micallef, a Żebbuġ councillor, is expected to make up the numbers since he has a strong support base in Qormi, Mr Dalli's hometown. Dr Micallef would also benefit from the alphabetical placing of his surname, which puts him one place above Mr Musumeci on the list.

Speaker Louis Galea could also have contested this casual election but ruled out the prospect after his nomination to the European Court of Auditors.