Manuel Mallia takes Ninth District seat vacated by Michael Falzon

Former cabinet minister Manuel Mallia has been elected to parliament in this morning’s casual elections, beating off other contenders for the Ninth District seat vacated by Michael Falzon.

On the 12th District, former parliamentary secretary Deborah Schembri is neck and neck with newcomer Clayton Bartolo, and they’re having a recount on the votes because they’re so close.

It now remains to be seen what the Prime Minister will do with Manuel Mallia, Edward Zammit Lewis and – if she is elected – Deborah Schembri, given that he has constituted his cabinet already and it is big enough as it is.

The former front-benchers are not going to take kindly to being relegated to the back bench.

Elected in this morning’s casual election, taking the seat vacated by Michael Falzon.