Chris Cardona will not be seeking reelection in 2018

The Times of Malta carried an interview with Chris Cardona the day before yesterday, in which he spoke about his determination to become deputy leader of the Labour Party, replacing Konrad Mizzi.

But there is a far more interesting fact that is buried within the piece and so went unnoticed: Chris Cardona is not going to seek reelection in 2018. These are his final two years in politics. We have got to ask ourselves why, in that case, he particularly wants – or has been asked – to become party deputy leader.

This is the relevant excerpt from the Times of Malta piece:

The minister said he had proved himself in the “most successful” portfolio, but insisted he did not have any plans to stay long in politics. “After the next election, I want to move on, but I want to make sure I leave a strong party.”

The Minister for the Economy, on the sauce at Hugo’s Lounge