Fearne beats Scicluna to become Labour deputy leader for parliamentary affairs

Health Minister Chris Fearne has been elected deputy leader of the Labour Party for parliamentary affairs after beating Finance Minister Edward Scicluna in a second round of voting.

Fearne will also take up the mantle of Deputy Prime Minister under Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

The two ministers faced off in a second round of voting after a first round on Friday saw a third contestant for the post, Equality Minister Helena Dalli, eliminated after none of the three obtained an absolute majority of votes cast.

715 Labour Party delegates voted in the poll. Fearne obtained 367 votes, or 51%, with Scicluna trailing close behind with 348 votes, or 49%.

In the first round, Fearne obtained 296 votes, followed by Scicluna with 249 and Dalli at 199. 

Congratulations @chrisfearne on winning a very tight race to become Deputy PM. Great performance by @edward_scicluna. Proud of our team -JM

— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) July 15, 2017

With all three ministers having performed well in the last legislature and in the recent election, there was no clear-cut favourite to win, although many party insiders had pointed to Dalli as being the favourite.

“Helena Dalli has a great deal to contribute as Europe and Equality minister. Good luck to Chris Fearne and Edward Scicluna for tomorrow,” tweeted Prime Minister Joseph Muscat after Friday’s result was announced.

The party ‘s extraordinary general conference kicked off on Thursday.

In addition to the election for deputy leader for parliamentary affairs, the party’s delegates were also required to reconfirm leader Joseph Muscat and deputy leader for party affairs Chris Cardona in their respective votes.

Only seven of the delegates cast their vote against the leader, with the remaining 738 voting in favour. 

Cardona was also reconfirmed, having won the approval of 639 votes or 88% of the party’s delegates.