Deborah Schembri is now out of the running

Former parliamentary secretary Deborah Schembri, who in the last government was responsible for the Lands Department, reporting directly to the Prime Minister, and who was seen as increasingly close to the centre of power, is now completely out of the running for a seat in parliament.

Dr Schembri was not elected in the general election of two weeks ago, but stood a chance in today’s casual election, for the seat vacated on the 12th District. But it was a very tight contest between her and newcomer Clayton Bartolo, so tight that there had to be a recount of votes. In the end, he made it and she did not.

Mr Bartolo works for Charles Scerri & Associates, a firm of accountants/corporate advisers.

Dr Schembri, a divorce lawyer, came to public prominence in 2011 when she campaigned for the Yes vote in the divorce referendum that year. In 2013 she stood for election on the Labour ticket, using the moniker ‘Tad-Divorzju’, and was elected. Identifying candidates by nickname as well as their legal name on the ballot sheet is permissible at law.

Under Malta’s non-meritocratic system of distributing positions in public office as though they are the spoils of victory (a system which remains unchallenged), it should now be taken as read that Dr Schembri will be compensated with a position and a revenue stream at the expense of the public purse.

Deborah Schembri has lost her last chance at a seat in the House for this parliamentary term.

Newcomer Clayton Bartolo has pipped Deborah Schembri to the post.