Cuschieri will not contest European Parliament elections

Joseph Cuschieri: 'The party wanted me on the losers' side' - Frux/Xejk TV

Incumbent Labour MEP Joseph Cuschieri has quelled months of speculation over his future as an MEP, as Joseph Cuschieri has announced he will not contest the forthcoming elections.

Cuschieri made his announcement on Monday evening on TV programme Frux on Xejk TV, and made another announcement Tuesday on his Facebook wall after MaltaToday enquired with his staff.

Cuschieri claimed on Frux that he felt it was unfair that he had not been given due attention by the Labour campaign team during the build-up to the MEP elections.

In 2008, Joseph Cuschieri gave up his parliamentary seat so that Labour leader Joseph Muscat could be co-opted to the House and become Opposition leader.

Cuschieri became the sixth Maltese MEP in 2011 when he recieved confirmation that he will finally take his seat in the European Parliament, after waiting for three years for the full ratification of the extra MEPs to be welcomed into the EP.

Labour's approved candidates are MP Deborah Schembri, Cyrus Engerer, Peter Cordina, Lino Bianco, Ivan Grixti, Clint Camilleri, Mario Farrugia Borg and Fleur Vella. Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant, ONE presenter Miriam Dalli, Engerer and MEP Marlene Mizzi are considered to be among the favourite top four for election.