Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/823773
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 MAY 2017 12 News Elections 2017: District JURGEN BALZAN MALTA is divided into 13 elec- toral districts with each electing five MPs. A cursory look at the results of the last three elections shows that in 2013 Labour se- cured a landslide victory by elect- ing 4 MPs in the second, third, fourth and fifth districts. The PN must at least regain some ground in the southern part of the island and in Gozo, which four years ago returned three Labour MPs despite the PN winning the majority of votes. Furthermore, a number of heavyweights on both sides of the political divide will not be seek- ing re-election, opening up the doors for new candidates. DISTRICT 1 (Valletta, Floriana, Hamrun, Marsa, Pieta, Gwardamangia, Sta Venera) 2003: 2 seats PL, 3 seats PN 2008: 3 PL, 2 PN 2013: 3 PL, 2 PN OUTGOING: PL: Deo Debat- tista, Jose Herrera, Luciano Bu- suttil (casual election, CE) PN: Mario de Marco, Claudio Grech, Paula Mifsud Bonnici (elected via Constitutional ad- justment) The most notable absentees on the list of candidates are La- bour stalwart Joe Debono Grech – who called it a day after 41 years in Parliament – and deputy prime minister Louis Grech. This gives environment minister Jose Herrera the opportunity to se- cure his seat on the first count, while former Hamrun mayor Luciano Busuttil, Valletta family doctor Deo Debattista and new candidate Aaron Farrugia are ex- pected to fight it out for the other two seats. On the PN front, deputy lead- er Mario de Marco is expctd to comfortably retain his seat while Claudio Grech and Paula Mifsud Bonnici are the frontrunners for the PN's other secure seat. DISTRICT 2 (Birgu, Bormla, Isla, Kalkara, Zabbar, part of Fgura, Xghajra) 2003: 3 PL, 2 PN 2008: 4 PL, 1 PN 2013: 4 PL, 1 PN OUTGOING: PL: Joe Mizzi, Helena Dalli, Stefan Buontempo, Chris Agius (CE) PN: Stephen Spiteri (CE) Joseph Muscat is once again contesting the second district, a Labour fortress and the only district where Labour are almost guaranteed four seats. While Muscat's seat is as safe as hous- es, the other three Labour seats could go to anyone from Cabinet members Joe Mizzi, Helena Dalli, Stefan Buontempo and Chris Agius, while Muscat's Rottweiler, Glenn Beddingfield could spring a surprise. Family doctor Stephen Spiteri is expected to retain his seat, which he previously won in casual elec- tions to fill in the seat vacated by former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who will not be contest- ing the election. Yet, St James Hospital owner Josie Muscat – a former Nationalist MP and Zab- bar kingpin – could be in with a chance. DISTRICT 3 (Zejtun, Ghaxaq, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk) 2003: 3 PL, 2 PN 2008: 3 PL, 2 PN 2013: 4 PL, 1 PN OUTGOING: PL: Owen Bonni- ci, Carmelo Abela, George Vella, Etienne Grech PN: Mario Galea The third district is one of the districts which might see a PN resurgence, however Labour will be hoping to maintain the four seats won in 2013 and with for- eign minister George Vella out of the equation after retiring from politics, ministers Chris Fearne, Joe Mizzi, Helena Dalli and Ow- en Bonnici are favourites among Labour's ranks. Veteran MP Mario Galea is set to retain the PN seat but will face stiff competition from right-wing maverick Josie Muscat and for- mer minister Carm Mifsud Bon- nici. DISTRICT 4 (Part of Fgura, Gudja, Paola, Sta Lucia, Tarxien) 2003: 3 PL, 2 PN 2008: 3 PL, 2 PN 2013: 4 PL, 1 PN OUTGOING: PL: Joseph Mus- cat, Konrad Mizzi, Silvio Parnis, Chris Fearne PN: Jason Azzopardi, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici (elected via Con- stitutional adjustment) Another district which could swing and return to 2008 levels. Joseph Muscat's decision not to recontest the fourth district means that over 12,000 votes are up for grabs and this has led to a hamper war between fierce rivals Konrad Mizzi and Chris Fearne. Both are expected to retain their seats while backbenchers Silvio Parnis and Etienne Grech will be hoping to retain theirs. The PN's vocifer- ous conservative MP Jason Azzopardi is favourite to maintain his seat while Carm Mifsud Bonnici, MEP Therese Comodini Cachia and other PN candidates will hope to win enough votes to have a fighting chance for a second PN seat. DISTRICT 5 (Birzebbugia, Kirkop, Mqabba, Hal Farrug, Luqa, Qrendi, Safi, Zurrieq, Bubaqra) 2003: 3 PL, 2 PN 2008: 3 PL, 2 PN 2013: 4 PL, 1 PN OUTGOING: PL: Joe Sammut, Edward Scicluna, Joe Farrugia (CE) PD: Marlene Farrugia PN: Toni Bezzina Joseph Muscat's decision to contest the fifth district could be an indication that Labour is fearing that it could lose the fourth seat it won four years ago, especially with former Labour MP Marlene Farrugia running on the PN/PD ticket. Muscat is expected to sweep most of the votes won by European Com- missioner and Zurrieq favourite Karmenu Vella. With MP Joe Sammut abruptly pulling out of the running and finance minis- ter Edward Scicluna deciding to contest a different district, the frontrunners in the Labour camp are minister Owen Bonnici, for- mer party president Stephan Zrinzo Azzopardi and former Labour journalist Julia Farrugia Portelli. On the PN ticket, outgoing MP Toni Bezzina will be looking over his shoulder in trepidation as Marlene Farrugia has set her sights on winning a seat. In the unlikely scenario that the PN in- creases its votes to 2008 levels, both could be elected while new- comers Norman Vella and Her- mann Schiavone have an outside chance. DISTRICT 6 (Qormi, Siggiewi, Luqa) 2003: 3 PL, 2 PN 2008: 3 PL, 2 PN 2013: 3 PL, 2 PN OUTGOING: PL: Silvio Schem- bri, Roderick Galdes, Charles Mangion (CE) PN: Clyde Puli, Ryan Callus Qormi's favourite daughter, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca is now President of the Republic and her 5,700 votes will be split between finance minister Edward Sci- cluna, newcomers Qormi mayor Rosianne Cutajar and Robert Abela – son of former President George Abela. Junior minister Rodrick Galdes's seat could be at risk as is that of Silvio Schembri. Their best bet could be that of being elected in a cas- ual election if Scicluna gives up his seat. Clyde Puli and Ryan Callus are likely to retain their seats for the PN. DISTRICT 7 (Zebbug, Dingli, Mgarr, Mtar fa, Rabat) 2003: 2 PL, 3 PN 2008: 3 PL, 2 PN 2013: 3 PL, 2 PN OUTGOING: PL: Ian Borg, Godfrey Farrugia, Charles Buha- giar PN: Antoine Borg (CE), Tony Abela (CE) The seventh district could turn out to be a pivotal battleground with former Labour whip God- frey Farrugia now running on the PN/PD ticket, a decision which will not go down too well with Labour. The much respected family doctor could draw disillu- sioned Labour voters and it will come as no surprise if he fares well. With outgoing Labour MP Charles Buhagiar also deciding to call it a day, junior minister Ian Borg is expected to be the frontrunner with Gavin Gulia, Julia Farrugia Portelli, Charles Azzopardi, Anthony Agius Dece- lis, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Ian Castaldi Paris and Silvio Schem- bri hoping to secure Labour's other two seats. In the PN camp, some 9,000 are up for grabs as Lawrence Gonzi, Tony Abela and Joe Cas- sar will not be contesting this time around. PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami, outgoing MP Antoine Borg and Godfrey Farrugia are expected to be the frontrunners. DISTRICT 8 (Balzan, Birkirkara, Iklin, Lija) 2003: 2 PL, 3 PN 2008: 2 PL, 3 PN 2013: 3 PL, 2 PN OUTGOING: PL: Chris Car- dona, Edward Zammit Lewis, Edward Scicluna, Joe Debono Grech (CE) PN: Beppe Fenech Adami, To- nio Fenech, Claudette Buttigieg (elected via Constitutional ad- justment) The PN will be looking at swinging the district in their favour and Beppe Fenech Ad- ami, Claudette Buttigieg and Therese Comodini Cachia are the favourites to win a seat while popular PN media hosts David Thake and Norman Vella stand an outside chance. The absence of Tonio Fenech means that the 4,500 votes the former finance minister got in 2013 are up for grabs. Labour will hope to retain the three seats which it surprisingly won in 2013 and deputy leader Chris Cardona, tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis, finance minister Edward Scicluna are the three favourites. 13 Stepping out: Tonio Fenech George Vella calls it a day