District 5 profile: ‘Behind the tunnel’

In the latest in a district-by-district look at the key general election battles, Daniel Ellul profiles the fifth electoral district, which consists of Birżebbuġa, Mqabba, Kirkop, Qrendi, Safi, Żurrieq (including Bubaqra). Read all the district profiles here. 

At the last general election, the Labour Party only narrowly secured four of the five seats in district 5.

Despite the PL securing 65 per cent of the district’s vote in 2022, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi just managed to clinch a fourth seat for the party by a margin of just over 250 votes, with the Nationalist Party’s Toni Bezzina breathing down his neck in the race for the final seat in district 5.

While district 5 is likely to remain a stronghold for the PL, there is a good chance the party will secure three rather than four seats at the next election, as Labour could end up with a reduced, albeit still comfortable, majority in the district.

Prime Minister Robert Abela’s name is on the ballot. Alongside him on the PL list are seasoned politicians Owen Bonnici and Miriam Dalli.

Omar Farrugia who made it to parliament via casual election and minister Julia Farrugia, who did not get elected on the district, are also on the ballot this year.

Remenda Grech, a Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) director, and Bonnici’s former partner, is contesting the district while outgoing EU Funds Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi is not.

Grech is not only Bonnici’s former partner, but also served as the culture minister’s right-hand woman during the last electoral campaign.

PL officials acknowledged that the situation was somewhat awkward but said the party had ensured there was no bad blood that could spill over into the campaign before Grech was selected as a candidate.

“As far as I know, the two have remained cordial, and there are no major issues between them,” a PL insider said.

On the PN side, the district’s two MPs, Stanley Zammit and Toni Bezzina, are running again on the district.  Zammit won the seat through a casual election after then PN leader Bernard Grech gave up his district 5 seat.

Despite not winning a seat in the regular election Toni Bezzina made it to parliament when the PN were granted two extra seats to reflect the proportionality between them and the PL in the natioal election.

‘It’s similar to Gozo’

Most of the district, save Birżebbuġa, is in what is colloquially known as ‘wara il-mina’ (behind the tunnel) – referring to the tunnel that goes from near the airport to Kirkop.

“In many ways it’s a district that is similar to Gozo – personal connection is really important. It’s almost as if, that if you haven’t met someone face to face, you can forget their vote,” one district insider said.

Just like Gozo, however, many people who are not from the area are moving to the district, which one insider said hinders consitutency level campaigiing.

“The district is growing rapidly. Many of the new people here are simply living here – meaning they don’t go to festas or other activities. They are also rarely at home meaning that when we ring a bell, we are often left outside,” they said.

The increasing number of megablocks in the district is also hindering door-to-door visits.

“If it’s a house, you knock on the door and someone answers. Generally, they won’t let you leave without speaking to you or inviting you in. But in these new apartment blocks, where there are 30 or 40 doorbells in one building, people will see you on the video intercom and pretend they’re not at home.”

Another similarity with Gozo is the popularity of trapping and hunting, with insiders saying constituents constantly seek reassurance that they will continue to be able to enjoy their “traditional Maltese hobbies”.

The festa scene, particularly fireworks, is another issue that frequently comes up among constituents.

“The cost of materials for making fireworks, as well as the bureaucracy involved in obtaining permits to set them off, are issues that repeatedly come up in meetings with organisations.”

Overdevelopment is also a recurring concern, district insiders said, particularly fears surrounding Nigret and the Tal-Bebbux area, as well as a proposed megablock next to the church in Qrendi.

Bernard Grech out

In 2022, as PN leader, Grech ran on district 5 and 11. As expected, he was comfortably elected on the first count in both districts. Grech ceded his district 5 seat in 2022, leading to Zammit’s casual election.

Despite resigning as PN leader, Grech is still contesting this election, but on district 11. That leaves Toni Bezzina, from Żurrieq and Stanley Zammit, from Birżebbuġa, as the district’s incumbent MPs.

Both have worked to mantain a prescence on district 5 – the only district they are contesting.

The two district figures will, however, be competing alongside former PL Gżira mayor Conrad Borg Manché, who is contesting the election as a PN candidate. While Borg Manché does not have a strong presence in the district and is likely focusing more on securing a seat in district 10, which includes Gżira, he could still emerge as a surprise contender in the district.

“He gained a national profile through the Manoel Island saga, so for many people, he is already a familiar face.”

One issue faced in 2022 was a number of PN voters who did not go through the entire party list when voting.

“We lost around 125 votes last time,” a party insider said.

In a race where the PN’s chances of winning a second seat could come down to just a few dozen votes, the party will be hoping its supporters rank all of its candidates.

Will Robert Abela give up his seat?

Prime Minister and PL leader Robert Abela is expected to clinch most of the PL’s votes on the district.

That means it will be the “inhereted votes” from Abela that decide the rest of the Labour seats.

Internal polls say that Bonnici, Dalli and Omar Farrugia could all clinch seats in the district.

If the PL manage to clinch four seats – all (Abela included) could get to parliament without the need of a casual election. If the PL acquires only three seats, a casual election would have to be held.

The candidates running on the district are:

ADPD: Bagley Melissa Joan.

Aħwa Maltin: Vella Iris.

Labour Party: Abela Robert, Bonnici Owen, Dalli Miriam, Farrugia Julia, Farrugia Omar, Grech Remenda, Schembri Kaydem, Zerafa Roderick. 

Momentum: Farrugia Alastair.

Nationalist Party: Bezzina Anthony (Tony), Borg Myatt Duncan, Borg Manché Conrad, Calleja Testaferrata De Noto Miriana, Caruana Stefan, Cini Oliver, Sciberras Owen, Zammit Stanley.