Nurses’ union president Paul Pace may lose his post after placing eighth in an election for the council’s 10 members.

Mr Pace obtained about 800 votes, with sources saying the poor showing was expected to make it harder for him to retain the top post when the new council elects its officials today. Mr Pace confirmed his placing when contacted yesterday but insisted it did not represent a vote of no confidence.

“I actually increased my vote tally from four years ago but there were others who got more than me,” he said, pointing out that he had not placed first last time either.

Mr Pace said nurses were free to vote as they pleased, insisting he was not one to cling to his seat.

The election took place over the past two weeks and about 1,700 members of the Malta Union of Nurses and Midwives voted.

Nurses do not directly elect union officials, such as the president and general secretary. These are elected by the council.

Incumbent general secretary Colin Galea topped the list with about 1,400 votes, followed by Maria Cutajar with about 1,200 votes. Sources said Ms Cutajar was widely tipped to become the next president.

Mr Pace said that over the past few weeks he was taken up with union work, including the ramifications of the government’s health plan announced this week. “I did not promise anything,” he said. Asked whether this implied that fellow council contenders had made pledges to members, Mr Pace said he did not have the time to canvass.

Asked who would be the next MUMN president, Mr Pace said it was up to the council members to decide. “I will respect that decision.”

A militant union leader, Mr Pace has never shied away from threatening industrial action at every turn.