Labour co-opts Jonathan Attard, former Cardona consultant and One TV anchor
Labour Party parliamentary group approves co-option of Jonathan Attard to House instead of outgoing MP Manuel Mallia
The former One TV journalist and lawyer Jonathan Attard, a one-time consultant to the economy ministry of Chris Cardona, was officially co-opted to Parliament on Wednesday.
He was sworn in by the Speaker at the beginning of Wednesday’s sitting, and will be replacing MP Manuel Mallia.
Attard’s co-option was unanimously agreed by both the party’s parliamentary group and the national executive.
Attard is a Labour candidate for the fourth and twelvth districts.
The decision was taken by the Labour parliamentary group on Wednesday afternoon, and Attard was the only nomination.
Attard’s co-option put paid to rumours that Robert Abela might push for the co-option of other allies. Rumoured candidates were Żebbuġ mayor Malcom Paul Agius Galea, Mosta mayor Romilda Baldacchino Zarb and Gozitan surgeon Jo Etienne Abela.
Labour has so far co-opted former KNPD commissioner Oliver Scicluna in the place of former finance minister Edward Scicluna. Former MEP Miriam Dalli and former chief of staff Clyde Caruana were also co-opted to the House in the place of MP Etienne Grech and former prime minister and MP Joseph Muscat.