The next general election may be more than three years away, but the Nationalist Party has already approved 12 candidates who are set to contest a national election for the first time ever.

The twelve candidates were confirmed by the PN executive council this evening, following what party leader Simon Busuttil described as a “long and intensive” selection process overseen by the PN candidates commission, which is headed by former EU Commissioner Joe Borg.

The list is made up of six men and six women, and Dr Busuttil pointed out that this was the first time in which a Maltese political party approved a gender-balanced list of candidates.

The PN leader said that he considered the selection of candidates to be a part of the party’s regeneration process.

Asked whether it was too early to approve candidates for the next general election – which is likely to take place in 2018 – Dr Busuttil said that this was a factor that the party had to consider.

But ultimately, he argued, it was crucial for the party to welcome new people as it sought to renew itself. He also pointed out that by giving the new candidates the go-ahead at an early stage, the party was giving them the opportunity to make themselves known, as well as to contribute within the party.

Dr Busuttil added that the party was not seeking to attract new people for the sake of doing so, but was also seeking to attract new ideas. He emphasised that the candidates represented a wide spread of ideas, opinions and backgrounds.

The new candidates are Msida local councillor Alan Abela Wadge, MEUSAC official and Wardija administrative committee chairman Simone Aquilina, the president of the Moroccan Community in Malta Dounia Borg, lawyers Roselyn Borg and Charlene Camilleri Zarb, Marsascala councillor Charlot Cassar, Gozo University Group president Ryan Mercieca, cabin crew trainer Aaron Micallef, Marsaxlokk councillor Angelo Micallef, lawyer and journalist Alessia Psaila Zammit, social worker and PN Equal Opportunities Forum president Graziella Schembri (Attard Previ) and Malta Union of Teachers assistant secretary-general Justin Schembri.

A detailed list of the candidates can be seen here.