Updated 1pm

Labour MEPs Alex Agius Saliba and Daniel Attard have abstained in the European Parliament presidential election vote which re-elected Roberta Metsola. 

"Consistent with what I said during the election campaign, this morning I chose not to participate in the vote," Agius Saliba said. 

“I could not support Roberta Metsola because [I do not agree with her] on matters of principle and also because over the past two years she acted in a way that is contrary [to what I believe].”

In a Facebook post later, Daniel Attard wrote: "I can never vote in favour of those who seek personal interest before their nation's. So in line with what I said during the electoral campaign and with conviction, and in line with my principles, I have chosen to abstain."

Their position contrasts with that of party leader Robert Abela, who said it was in the national interest to support Metsola's campaign for re-election.

Watch live as European Parliament elects its president

Contacted by Times of Malta after the vote, Labour MEP Thomas Bajada would not say how he had voted. Instead, he said a press conference will be held on Wednesday.

"I want to have the time to explain my vote," Bajada said. 

Agius Saliba appeared to suggest all Labour MEPs would adopt the same position.

"We won’t budge.  This is a delegation decision," he told Times of Malta.

During the voting process, the three candidates spent much of the time walking around the chamber or sitting down, suggesting a possible abstention.

At one point Bajada was spotted with a paper in his hand, queuing to vote, however this does not indicate his intentions during the secret process.

Alex Agius Saliba and Daniel Attard in the chamber as other MEPs queue to vote. Photo: Karl Andrew Micallef

Thomas Bajada queues to vote, with a piece of paper in his hand. Photo: Karl Andrew Micallef

In his later Facebook post, Agius Saliba said he could also not support the unexpected candidacy of Spanish MEP Irene Montero because her priorities are different than his especially because she believes “in the imposition of abortion on every member state.”

Metsola's party colleague, David Casa, said Agius Saliba, who had campaigned defending "the criminally charged" former prime minister Joseph Muscat was acting "in defiance" of Abela.

"Unbelievable," he said.

"People expect better than the division and confusion that have become the hallmarks of Labour's MEP delegation."

David Casa said Alex Agius Saliba's position was 'unbelievable'.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ian Borg congratulated Metsola for winning another term. 

"2024 is indeed a historic year for Malta, with our seat on the UN Security Council, the 2024 Maltese Chairpersonship of the OSCE, and a Maltese MEP leading the European Parliament," he wrote on social media. 

Metsola is the incumbent president and represented the European People’s Party.

In the vote the 720 MEPs have the option to choose a candidate or abstain.

In January 2022 Agius Saliba had voted in favour of Metsola.

Meanwhile, Peter Agius shared a video showing him casting his vote for his party colleague. 

Arnold Cassola, who contested the MEP elections on an independent ticket but failed to get elected, said Agius Saliba should "substantiate his decision with valid arguments".

Metsola was a frequent target of Labour’s criticism throughout the electoral campaign, with Abela and several MEP candidates accusing her of fomenting conflict by calling for an increase in EU defence and military spending.

But after the election, Abela said he would support Metsola's nomination, saying he “always supports Maltese people who go abroad to occupy a role”, adding that he will “once again let the national interest guide direct (his) decision”.

“I would be inconsistent – and I would be adopting the Opposition leader’s position – if I took a partisan stance and sidelined the national interest," he had said.