Edward Zammit Lewis will not run for PL deputy leader election

Tourism minister will not contest election for PL deputy leader for party affairs so as to 'remain clearly focused' on his work within government and Parliament 

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis
Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis

Tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis has confirmed with MaltaToday that he will not run for the vacant post of PL deputy leader for party affairs.

Zammit Lewis said last week that he was undecided on whether to run for the post, that was vacated in the wake of Konrad Mizzi’s resignation. However, he told MaltaToday that he will give the upcoming internal election a miss so as to “remain clearly focused” on his work within government and Parliament.

“I am determined to ensure that Air Mata will have a sustainable and successful future through the important process I have announced recently,” he said, referring to a recent memorandum of understanding that will see Alitalia purchase 49% of the national airline’s shares.

The tourism minister expressed his conviction that Labour’s delegates will select the most suitable person to “continue implementing the changes required within the party while also ensuring that the country remains on the successful and growth path of the last three years”.

“There is no doubt whatsoever that I will remain on the forefront of the Labour Party and I vow to continue working relentlessly and in the most honest and sincere manner with our leader Joseph Muscat and in the best interest of Malta and Gozo.”

Justice minister Owen Bonnici, economy minister Chris Cardona, and former PL president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi have all so far confirmed that they will be running for the vacant post.  

The race allows MPs to take part in the election for the post once reserved solely for non-MPs, after changes to the statute were made to accommodate former energy minister Konrad Mizzi, who was selected by the party leadership to take up the post vacated by Toni Abela for his nomination to the European Court of Auditors.

Mizzi has since resigned the deputy leadership following his demotion to minister without portfolio over the Panama Papers revelations.

Abela, whose nomination for the ECA was turned down by the Budgetary Control Committee in the European Parliament, has not yet confirmed whether he will join the race.

Nominations for the post of deputy leader must be submitted between Monday 9 May and Tuesday 10 May, with the election being held a month later.

The first phase will take place between 9 and 10 June, and candidates must achieve 50% of the quota established in the election.

A run-off will be held a day later if nobody is elected in the first round.