Labour to begin vetting election candidates in the ‘coming days’

The Labour Party will start to officially vet prospective general election candidates in the ‘coming days’, deputy leader Alex Agius Saliba told Times of Malta.

The decision comes just over a year before the government’s term ends in the spring of 2027, when Prime Minister Robert Abela must call a general election.

However, the prime minister has the discretion to call an election at any time during his term.

“Yes, we will begin vetting prospective candidates but that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an election coming,” senior party sources said.

Contacted for comment, party deputy leader Agius Saliba confirmed that the Labour Party’s executive committee agreed to begin the process in the coming days.

The executive committee also agreed on the composition of the candidates’ commission, which will be chaired by former PL deputy leader Charles Mangion.

Catherine Fenech will be committee secretary, and party veteran and vice-president Louis Gatt will also be part of that commission.

The candidates’ commission is responsible for initially vetting electoral candidates.

Candidates need to present their CV and any public presence (such as social media profiles) before the committee and attend a short interview.

They are tasked with recommending whether a prospective candidate is accepted on the PL list, but it is the party’s executive council that has the final say.

All prospective PL candidates, including sitting MPs, need to be approved by the council.

Among those who are gearing up for a first attempt at a parliamentary seat are Labour stalwart and ONE radio presenter Nigel Vella, CEO of Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta Rodrick Zerafa, and Birkirkara councillor Yana Debono Grech, who is the granddaughter of former MP Joe Debono Grech.

Labour international secretary John Grech and Mosta lawyer Francesca Zarb are also preparing to throw their hat in the electoral ring.

Former minister José Herrera is also flirting with a general election run. He recently told Times of Malta he was “entertaining the idea of a political comeback”.

Valletta mayor Olaf McKay and Żabbar mayor Jorge Grech are also said to be testing the electoral waters for a try at the general election.

While the election date remains unclear, several MPs and candidates have told Times of Malta that they have stepped up their on-the-ground efforts, including more house visits and events such as coffee mornings.

The Nationalist Party administration has already started to vet prospective election candidates.  Among the 25 approved candidates is party deputy leader Alex Perici Calascione who will be running in the ninth district.