Michael Asciak takes Tonio Borg's old seat

Nationalist candidate Michael Asciak was returned to Parliament in a casual election held today to fill the seat vacated by Tonio Borg. He won 1930 votes on the third count after candidates Giorgio Schembri and Josianne Cardona Gatt were eliminated. Dr Asciak is no newcomer to parliament, having first been elected in 1994 and against in the 1996-98 legislature and having been re-elected in another casual election held in 2004 to fill the seat vacated by Eddie Fenech Adami. However, should the vote on the Budget be a negative one in parliament on Monday, he will only have served for two sittings in this legislature. Dr Asciak is best known for having led the national debate on assisted procreation, which culminated last week in legislation. His election means that there are now two former Birkirkara Mayors in the House, the other being Tonio Fenech. Dr Asciak has obtained 1,617 votes in the general election. Also contesting the casual election are Josianne Cardona Gatt (425), Ian Castaldi Paris (507), Martin Fenech (842) and Giorgio Schembri (274). The quota was established at 1,875.