Five Nationalist Party candidates have thrown their names into the hat to take the parliamentary seat vacated by new European Commissioner Tonio Borg, in what could effectively be a five-day post.

By the time nominations closed yesterday, Lija mayor Ian Castaldi Paris, family doctor Michael Asciak, architect Giorgio Schembri and lawyers Martin Fenech and Josianne Cardona Gatt had submitted their names.

The casual election for the eighth district, taking place tomorrow morning at the counting hall in Naxxar, will see Dr Borg’s first-preference votes opened to see where his supporters’ next preference went.

The candidates’ desire for a seat in the country’s topmost institution could be short-lived if dissident PN backbencher Franco Debono follows through with his threat to vote the Budget down on Monday. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said he would call an election if this happens.

Dr Asciak, the favourite, is a former MP. He garnered 564 votes in the 2008 election, followed by Dr Fenech with 399, Dr Castaldi Paris with 317 votes, Dr Cardona Gatt with 160 votes and Mr Schembri with 128 first-count votes.