Rumoured new MEP candidates

A number of people who did not put their name forward at the last MEP elections are being touted as potential candidates.

Partit Nazzjonalista

Local Councillor and activist Michael Briguglio confirmed that he had been approached by the PN to contest the upcoming MEP elections. He said that it is something he is looking into and that when he has anything further to say he will have no problem saying it. Lawyer and Net TV presenter Frank Psaila confirmed his intention to contest the election, and said that he has discussed this with the party. He noted, however, that the process of candidate selection has still to take place. He has actively campaigned on social media. Qormi local councillor and member of the PN National Executive Jerome Caruana Cilia was non-committal in his response. He said that there are always people – activists – who urge individuals to stand for this or that election and pointed out that he is currently focused on his work on Qormi Local Council and in the party structures. He mentioned that he expects the party commission will be set up, as is the case before every election, to discuss possible candidates with many people. He said that, when he contests elections, his decision is not based on personal ambition but in order to help and represent the people. Lawyer and PN activist Bernard Grech said that he remains committed to analysing the political scene and commenting about it without limitation. He confirmed that he had been invited to contest the MEP elections for the PN, and is having discussions with a number of people to see how he can give a more effective service. “Being an MEP candidate is one way I can contribute, but it is certainly not the only way, and this is why I want to listen and weigh my options,” he said.

Partit Laburista

TV Presenter and former PN Executive Jean Claude Micallef, who contested for the PL in the third district, confirmed that he has been asked to contest the MEP elections, “but I am more interested in focusing on the, 3rd District especially after last year’s election result and the ever-increasing support. Nevertheless, the role of an MEP has always been close to my heart and I can understand the hundreds of requests to accept the Party’s invitation to feature on the PL’s MEP ballot sheet.” Dancer, choreographer and LGBT activist Felix Busuttil is considering throwing his name in as a candidate for the Labour Party in the European Parliament election, to be held next year. Pro-Labour newspaper l-orizzont said that, when contacted, Busuttil admitted that he had spoken to the Prime Minister on the subject. He said that his candidacy will still need to be approved by the PL. Former PL General Election candidate and Legal Procurator Lorna Vassallo said she is considering the possibility of standing, but said that the party has not begun approving candidates yet as the election is still a long way off. Actor Kevin Drake said that he prefers not to comment at this stage. TV presenter Karl Stagno Navarra said that although many people have asked him to consider standing, “my reply is that I do not intend to contest the forthcoming European Parliament Election.” This contradicts previous news reports speculating that he would contest.