PN lose election but win young candidates into parliament

Mar 28 2022

Despite losing the 2022 general election, the Nationalist Party has managed to win a couple of new faces and fresh blood as they outpace old guard. Current Opposition leader Bernard Grech had emphasised that the party is seeking a revitalising of the party, bringing in new and young candidates to contest the election.

Among the newer candidates was Alex Borg who is on course to achieve a higher tally of first count votes than party veteran Chris Said. Borg might even outpace Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri. Young candidate Jerome Caruana Cilia also appears to have outpaced MP Ryan Callus, with the former becoming the leading candidate on the district as the latter is still expected to be elected.

Mark Anthony Sammut managed to outpace Jason Azzoaprdi on the fourth district after the latter was not elected into government. New candidates Rebekah Cilia and Joseph Grech may have also polled well on the 11th district. Azzopardi and Karol Aquilina, who was also not elected, formed part of the infamous ’17 Blue Heroes’, which were massively critiqued by the Labour Party.

Darren Carabott also won a place in government, the second candidate for the Nationalist party to be elected. Carabott thanked everyone who supported him, saying that Malta needs the Nationalist Party.

The 11th district however depends on how Bernard Grech’s votes are distributed after the first count. Adrian Delia was also elected on the 7th and 8th district with even Beppe Fenech Adami doing quite well. Lawyer Joe Giglio seemed to have polled quite convincingly on the 9th and 10th districts, leading alongside veteran Robert Arrigo. We’ll have to see who will be elected through casual election.

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Chris Fearne dons face mask during Robert Abela’s inauguration

Mar 28 2022

As Robert Abela, MPs and other political figures took to Valletta for the inauguration of the new Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne seemed to be one of the few individuals donning a face mask due to COVID-19.

Apart from the body guards and other security personnel, Fearne seemed to be the only political figure donning the face mask during the celebratory event.

Outside, supporters of the Labour Party cheered and continued their celebrations from yesterday as the Labour Party takes government to lead the country for the next five years.

This also comes as health restrictions were eased through a COVID-19 exit roadmap, despite there being a recent spike in active and daily cases. Fearne had announced that the focus will be shifted onto hospitalisations which remained relatively low. They currently stand at 82 hospitalised COVID patients, with 4 in the ITU.

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Celebrations gone wrong: countless injuries reported on Sunday

Mar 28 2022

As many Labour supporters respectfully and lawfully celebrated the victory of their political party, the festivities seemed to turn sour and dangerous for some as reports of injuries and even criminal activity came in.

Police reported that yesterday evening at 2115hrs, a man armed with a knife entered a shop in Triq il-Belt Valletta, Qormi, threatening the 57-year-old cashier for money.

Police investigations are still ongoing and thankfully no one was injured. However, other reports of injuries were reported on three police officers in Gozo. The officers were assaulted at around 10pm after a man entered a heated argument with another.

The argument occurred in Pjazza Indipendenza in Rabat, Ghawdex. The 43-year-old assailant was immediately arrested as the officers were certified to have suffered light injuries.

Other reports injuries included three people being severely injured after they lit a flare in a car, resulting in the vehicle catching fire. Among them was a 5-year-old boy. Another video showed a PL celebratory trailer crashing into another car as it carried supporters.

A pregnant woman who was in a vehicle and involved in this incident was taken to Mater Dei Hospital as a result. The celebrations continued on late during the day, and some are expected to carry on today as Robert Abela is sworn in as Prime Minister.

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Robert Abela officially sworn in as Prime Minister

Mar 28 2022

Following the victory by the Labour Party, Robert Abela has been officially sworn in as Prime Minister.

President George Vella confirmed the legislature for Abela as his father president emeritus George Abela proudly awaited his son.

To the sound of clapping, horns and more celebrations, Abela has been sworn in as the 14th Prime Minister of Malta in the 14th legislature since the Independence.

Alongside daughter Georgia May and wife Lydia Abela, Robert signed off his position to lead the country for the next 5 years and kissed the cross, swearing to do his duty for the Republic of Malta.

#MaltaDaily