Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/882846
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2017 5 News © Kurt Arrigo YANNICK PACE PETER Micallef resigned his parliamentary seat yesterday evening, minutes after being sworn in by Speaker Anglu Farrugia, to pave the way for the co-option of newly-elected Nationalist Party leader Adri- an Delia. Micallef, a family doctor from Zebbug, was elected to parliament in a casual election held in the morning to fill the parliamentary seat vacated by Jean-Pierre Debono. Debono resigned his seat to enable the co-option of Delia. After being sworn in, Oppo- sition whip David Agius asked the permission of the Speaker for Micallef to make a short statement. Micallef said he was satisfied to have been re-elected to par- liament, while thanking Jean- Pierre Debono for taking the "wise and difficult" decision he had taken, while thank- ing electors who had voted for him, especially those on the seventh district, from which he was elected. "I would also like to pay tribute to the Honourable Simon Busuttil who I worked with during the last legis- lature and who gave eve- rything for the good of the part y," said Micallef. "Those who are members of parliament are of service to the nation that put its faith in them. I'm sure none of us are here for ourselves," said Mi- callef, adding that the role of an MP was one that came with a great deal of satisfaction and "one that brings you closer to the people". Micallef acknowledged that he was in parliament in order to make way for Delia. "This way we will have a complete parliament, with a government administering and a constructive opposition, looking out for the interests of the country," he added. "I am happy to be contributing to this and I ask you Mr Speaker, to accept my resignation." The speaker then proceeded to read out Micallef 's letter of resignation, which he tabled in parliament. "I have followed you and I un- derstood you," said Farrugia, as Micallef left the chamber. Jean-Pierre Debono (left) and Peter Micallef at the counting hall yesterday morning Peter Micallef resigns parliamentary seat minutes after being sworn in The family doctor who was elected to parliament in the morning yesterday said he was happy to be facilitating 'a complete' parliament, as he paved the way for the co-option of Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia