New and old faces among first group of PL election candidates
17 candidates approved including five new names
The Labour Party has revealed the first group of 17 candidates who will contest the next general elections, including five new ones.
In a statement on Thursday, on the fourth anniversary of the last election, the national executive of the Labour Party announced it has selected and approved a number of candidates following a “rigorous process” by the Candidate Commission led by notary Charles Mangion.
Prime Minister Robert Abela has repeatedly dismissed rumours of an early election. In January he insisted "we still have a lot to do".
The five new candidates are Vania Agius Tabone who will contest the 8th and 9th districts; Martina Buhagiar on districts 2 and 3; and David Caruana, Lisa Cassar Shaw and Mariah Meli who will also contest the 9th and 10th districts.
Justice minister Jonathan Attard will re-contest the election on the fourth and 12th districts.
Transport Minister Chris Bonett will contest again on districts 3 and 4.
Culture Minister Owen Bonnici will be throwing his hat into the ring again on the third and fifth electoral districts.
Carmelo Abela and James Grech will run on districts 2 and 3; Anthony Agius Decelis on districts 7 and 11; Keith Azzopardi Tanti on the first and eighth districts.
Glenn Bedingfield will contest the first and second districts. Lorna Borg Vassallo will contest the 9th and 10th districts together with Michael Falzon.
Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul, who recently inherited the social housing portfolio following the resignation of Roderick Galdes, will contest the third and fourth districts.
Damian Spiteri will run on the 10th and 12th districts.
The PL said the candidate commission will continue the selection process “in the coming weeks”.