After the Labour Party’s stunning election victory and the appointment of the cabinet, the next step in the party is the election of a new Deputy Leader to replace Louis Grech. It is interesting that this Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs is also Deputy Prime Minister, so it is an important position of power that could shape policy for years to come. This figure could also have considerable influence on a possible leadership election when Prime Minister Joseph Muscat decides to step down.
The candidates:
Sources who are in the know have indicated that there are three ‘heavyweight’ candidates that will most probably throw their hat into the ring.
Edward Scicluna
The soft spoken and popular Finance Minister could be seen as a leading contender. He is seen as very close to Joseph Muscat in a sort of fatherly way and his strong hand in financial policy certainly gives him credit amongst Labour delegates who will no doubt factor the successes of the economy into account when taking their decision. Incidentally, Scicluna was also strongly elected on the two districts he contested, the 7th and the 8th – in the latter he performed better than current Deputy Leader for Party Affairs, Chris Cardona who was undoubtedly affected by the allegations of scandal around his private life. Scicluna is seen as a safe hand in the economic arena and this could count no end for his chances to the Deputy Premiership
Chris Fearne
The popular Health Minister is seen as very dynamic and also a safe pair of hands in similar vein to Scicluna. On an electoral front he is even more successful having been elected on the Third and Fourth districts practically on the first count. On the Third – he booted Justice Minister Owen Bonnici out of his own backyard – no mean feat – and is now firmly established as the Labour favourite on this district. On the 4th, he was even more successful, garnering almost 5,500 votes, pipping Konrad Mizzi as the top dog of the district. His claim that Labour would win by 40,000 votes (which actually happened) way back in December has given him mythical status amongst the Labour faithful and by association – the Labour delegates.
Helena Dalli
Perhaps the least touted favourite, the popular European Affairs Minister commands a strong following on the 2nd and 3rd districts where she was elected on both this time round. The fact that she is a woman who has also worked considerably in the civil liberties sphere brings her a certain popularity amongst female delegates where she could also be in with a head start. Since there has been no Deputy Leader which has been female in the Labour Party in the past may also play in her favour as with constant talk of more female participation in politics, this could be an interesting time.
Other dark horses:
Canidates who could yet throw their hat into the ring include Foreign Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela, Interior Minister Michael Farrugia and newly appointed Parliamentary Secretaries Silvio Schembri and Aaron Farrugia, although the latter two would probably be more interested in the party affairs post. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg has also been mentioned but he has already indicated that he will be not be throwing his hat into the ring – at least for this position.
