Energy and Health Minister Konrad Mizzi yesterday submitted his candidacy to become Labour’s next deputy leader for party affairs. The post became vacant after Toni Abela was nominated to be a member of the European Court of Auditors.

The nomination reinforces a Times of Malta report last Monday that Dr Mizzi is expected to replace Dr Abela.

Though potential candidates have until next Tuesday to enter the race, it could well that Dr Mizzi will be the only candidate for the post. Such a scenario now seems increasingly likely as Justice Minister Owen Bonnici, who was also mentioned for this post, yesterday put his weight behind Dr Mizzi by seconding his nomination. The election will be held on February 25.

Dr Mizzi’s candidature was only possible following changes enacted last Friday during an extraordinary Labour General Conference, which lifted a ban on MPs from holding this position. The change had been piloted by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who said such an “impediment” no longer made sense for a party in government.

Dr Mizzi is known to be a close ally of Dr Muscat.

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