Rosette Thake, a favourite to become the next secretary general of the Nationalist Party, made the first step towards the post by being elected to represent the general council in the party’s executive committee.

It was the first time, since the statue was amended, that the PN voted in nine men and nine women.

The election was held yesterday, and also confirmed Paula Mifsud Bonnici as the president of the general council.

The nine men elected were (in order of number of votes obtained): Jean Pierre Debono, Alex Perici Calascione, Karol Aquilina, Trevor Degiorgio, Hermann Schiavone, Mark Anthony Sammut, Kevin Mizzi, Marco Spiteri and Alexis Callus.

The women elected (in order of number of votes obtained) were Ann Fenech, Rosette Thake, Graziella Galea, Amanda Abela, Caroline Galea, Evelyn Vella Brincat, Veronica Perici Calascione, Francesca Zammit and Stefania Pirotta.