The new secretary general of the Nationalist Party is most likely set to be one of four possible candidates, The Malta Independent has learnt, after MP and former minister Francis Zammit Dimech, who was thought to have been a fifth possible candidate, confirmed he did not intend contesting the post.
While it is clear that many PN insiders favour MEP Simon Busuttil for the party’s top administrative post, it is somewhat unlikely that he would run for this job.
Sources close to the PN confirmed that Dr Busuttil was the mind behind the party’s last electoral programme and this was the main aspect that has made him one of the most likely candidates.
However, the party statute states specifically that the post of secretary general cannot be occupied by an MEP; so if the party’s executive committee chooses Dr Busuttil as the successor of current secretary general Joe Saliba, he would either have to step down as MEP, or the statute would have to be changed.
Newly elected MP Beppe Fenech Adami, the son of former prime minister and current President Eddie Fenech Adami, and Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier, nephew of former Prime Minister George Borg Olivier, are two other possible candidates.
While Dr Fenech Adami told The Sunday Times that he would probably contest the post of PN secretary general if Dr Busuttil was not interested in the post, sources close to the PN told The Malta Independent that Dr Borg Olivier is likely to be one of the PN insiders’ favourite candidates.
On the other hand, some members of the PN feel that even though both Dr Fenech Adami and Dr Borg Olivier are still young, it may not necessarily be a good idea having either one of them occupy the post of secretary general, considering the legacy they carry in their respective surnames.
The last possible candidate at this stage seems to be Pieta’ councillor (and former mayor) Malcolm Mifsud, after another name that came up – that of Dr Zammit Dimech – was struck off the list yesterday.
Dr Zammit Dimech, now a back-bencher in Parliament, told The Malta Independent that a number of people had approached him, encouraging him to contest the post of secretary general, but he said it was not his intention to do so.
Popular media personality Pierre Portelli, who was another possible candidate, had ruled out the possibility of contesting the post.
The new secretary general of the PN will be chosen from among the 13 members of the executive committee, which is also made up of representatives of the PN parliamentary group, as well as other groups from within the party.
While current secretary general Joe Saliba is expected to step down at the end of June, the new executive committee will be elected during the 30 May PN general council.
Those wishing to be elected to the executive committee should submit their nominations between Friday this week and Friday 23 May.