The Nationalist Party yesterday completed its 30-strong parliamentary group after six casual elections saw three former MPs and three new candidates being elected to the House of Representatives.
Incumbents Stephen Spiteri, Ċensu Galea and Charlo Bonnici secured their places in Parliament together with newer faces Albert Fenech, Marthese Portelli and Kristy Debono.
The election of Ms Portelli and Ms Debono brings the number of women MPs up to 10, five on each side.
Former MPs Karl Gouder, Frans Agius, Edwin Vassallo and Joseph Falzon all failed to be re-elected.
Dr Spiteri was elected comfortably after beating Dr Agius in the second district where the PN seat was vacated by Opposition Leader Lawrence Gonzi. He was the first to be elected and pledged to keep working in the district that renewed its trust in him.
Mr Galea, a veteran MP and former Cabinet minister, was elected from the 12th district that was vacated by Tonio Fenech, beating his own daughter Graziella, a new candidate, who placed second. Mr Galea said he was proud to have been elected and also proud of his daughter’s strong showing in her first election.
Ms Galea congratulated her father and pledged to keep working for her party.
Mr Bonnici was elected from the 11th district, taking the seat vacated by Joe Cassar and fought by three non-MPs and Mr Vassallo.
Mr Fenech, a cardiologist, who was not at the counting hall, beat Mr Gouder in a close race on the 10th district, where the seat was vacated by George Pullicino.
Mr Gouder, who led the pack throughout the process, lost out after newcomer Joanna Agius, who ranked third, was eliminated. Many of her votes ended up being distributed alphabetically, giving Mr Fenech a strong edge over Mr Gouder.
Mr Gouder said this was part of the political game. Congratulating Mr Fenech, he said that he would keep working for the party outside Parliament.
Dr Portelli and Ms Debono battled it out closely on the ninth district. Dr Portelli clinched the seat vacated by Simon Busuttil by only 35 votes and Ms Debono secured her place in Parliament thanks to the seat vacated by Robert Arrigo. She was the last MP to be elected.
Dr Busuttil showed up at the counting hall in the morning to give support to the candidates contesting the casual elections just before handing in his nomination for the PN leadership race.
Also at the counting hall were Beppe Fenech Adami, another potential leadership contender, and Dr Cassar, a former Health Minister.