Former Member of Parliament Silvio Parnis has passed away at the age of 57, the Labour Party announced on Tuesday.

He started his career in politics as Mayor of his hometown, Paola, a role he served between 1994 and 1998. Mr Parnis then made a name for himself as a popular politician in the fourth electoral district, maintaining close ties with his constituents.

“In a career of service towards citizens, both as a presenter and as a politician, Mr Parnis always practiced the values of social justice and assisted the less fortunate,” the Labour Party shared.

“He will be remembered as a politician with a good heart that was always close to the people,” it continued. The Labour Party added that he was a politician with a “strong socialist belief” and remains an “example of how one should keep their feet on the ground and give an ear to the needs of citizens”.

Mr Parnis was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing in Prime Minister Robert Abela’s first cabinet in January 2020, but subsequently lost the role that November after criticism of the way the COVID-19 pandemic was being handled. He then decided to quit politics for good by not contesting the 2022 general election.

Aside from his political career, he was also a notable television programme host, most recently presenting one on Fliving with his wife until last June.

Following the news, a number of politicians took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Parnis.

“We’ve lost a person of the people,” Prime Minister Abela wrote. He remarked that Mr Parnis was a person that “whenever you talked to him, the discussion would always turn to that which the people need and what one can do to improve the lives of those that cannot afford much”.

Nationalist Party and Opposition Leader Bernard Grech praised Mr Parnis for always “remaining close to the needs of the people” and focused on finding ways to improve their situation.

“I’ve lost a friend, colleague, and person that always loved the weak. I will miss our phone calls. Even if the last two years were very tough,” Minister for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing Julia Farrugia Portelli said.

Nationalist Party MP Adrian Delia thanked Mr Parnis for his “sincere friendship”, before wishing his family condolences during this difficult time.

Mr Parnis is survived by his wife Dorianne and their son Jacob.