Edwin Vassallo, Peter Micallef attend their first sitting of this legislature

Edwin Vassallo and Peter Micallef returned to parliament this evening after the Electoral Commission decided that the two candidates should fill in the extra seats adjudicated to the Nationalist Party by the Constitutional Court.

Both MPs served in parliament during the Nationalist administration.

In a press statement, the PN said that Vassallo was now the party’s spokesperson for manufacture and cooperatives while Micallef was appointed spokesperson for mental health.

Edwin Vassallo has returned to parliament

Leader Simon Busuttil said that he decided the two MPs should be responsible of the two sectors, “currently abandoned by the government”.

“Manufacturing is a crucial sector, responsible of the livelihood of 20,000 families. Statistics show that this sector is falling behind, especially in exports. The sacking of workers by Actavis confirms this,” Busuttil said.

Peter Micallef joins the opposition benches

He added that mental health remained a taboo in the country and it was high time that Malta does a quality leap in the care of mental health.

Vassallo, who was serving as Mosta mayor, told MaltaToday that he was looking forward to serve the nation once again. He was first elected to parliament in 1996 and served under both the Fenech Adami and Gonzi administrations.

Known for his sound Catholic views, Vassallo was vociferous during the 2011 divorce referendum, warning the effects it could have on family value. He was one of John Dalli’s biggest supporters during the 2004 PN leadership contest.

Micallef, a family doctor, first served in parliament in 2010 after John Dalli vacated his seat when he was appointed European Commissioner. He told MaltaToday that he looked forward to work hard and make up for time lost.