Four vying for Borg’s seat

At least four Nationalist Party candidates are vying for the parliamentary seat vacated by Tonio Borg, who has been appointed European Commissioner. Doctor Michael Asciak, architect Giorgio Schembri, and lawyers Martin Fenech and Josianne Cardona Gatt all confirmed their intention to throw their names in the hat for the casual election being held on Wednesday. Lija mayor Ian Castaldi Paris said he had not made up his mind yet but was more inclined to put his personal ambitions aside for the time being to focus his efforts on his mayorship which expires in March. Contacted yesterday, all contenders said they were aware that, with dissident PN backbencher Franco Debono’s threat to vote the Budget down on December 10, their parliamentary seat could last just five days – during which Parliament does not even convene. But they all believe it is worth it and feel they owe it to those who voted for them in the 2008 general election, but still failed to make it to Parliament. According to electoral law, the casual election must be contested by candidates on the last election’s ballot sheet when the person who vacated his seat was elected. Dr Borg’s first-preference votes will be opened to...