7.15pm Update with Edward Zammit Lewis comments

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said today he will be contesting the upcoming election for the Labour deputy leader's post. 

He is the second Labour minister to declare his intentions for the post of PL deputy leader for party affairs after Economy Minister Chris Cardona.

Shortly after Dr Bonnici's announcement, Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis confirmed to Times of Malta that he would be sitting out the contest. 

The two ministers' announcements come a week after Konrad Mizzi resigned the post in the wake of the Panama Papers scandal. Dr Mizzi was merely elected to the post last February in a one-horse race.

"I believe this post should offer stability and dignity to the Labour Party. To serve in this post means more work and energy so that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat continues with his plans, and to ensure Labour remains the natural choice for the electorate," Dr Bonnici said in a video clip posted on Facebook. 

Dr Zammit Lewis, meanwhile, said that he wanted to stay focused on his ministerial work, most particularly Air Malta. Saying he had "full confidence" that the deputy leadership would go to a suitable person, Dr Zammit Lewis said that there was "no doubt whatsoever" that he would remain at the forefront of PL politics. 

The election for a new Labour Party deputy leader for party affairs will take place between June 9 and 10, with the possibility of running the contest into the next day, in case of a run-off.

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